Migraines & headaches decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches and temporal intracerebral hematoma associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage did not originate in service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to any incident during active service.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disorder, headache disorder, hypertension, and bilateral kidney disorder. The Veteran's claims were decided on the basis of direct service connection without any presumption or secondary relationship to other conditions.

The Board found no evidence of current hearing loss meeting VA criteria, and the Veteran's assertions regarding service connection for posttraumatic headaches were not supported by medical opinion or other credible evidence. The nose/sinus condition claim is also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is granted as there is evidence showing she began experiencing migraines while in the military and has continued to experience them since her discharge.

The Veteran's combined schedular rating for his service-connected disabilities is 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of records, particularly from his military service and VA medical treatment. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant records and provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including a psychiatric disorder, joint pain, chronic diarrhea, headaches, pseudotumor cerebri, and low back disorder, all of which are found to be related to the Veteran's active duty in the Southwest Asia theater during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for a headache disability and hiccups and muscular twitching of the eyes, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The claim for diabetes mellitus remains denied as there is no objective medical evidence showing it was caused by hypertension.

The Board found that the appellant's active military service from September 1, 2000 to August 31, 2007 does not constitute one entire period of service but rather several distinct periods. Therefore, his character of discharge is considered dishonorable and bars him from receiving VA benefits for this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for establishing service connection in any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including fibromyalgia and related disabilities of the neck, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, shoulders, and legs, have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing as requested. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for service-connected headaches and PTSD, and seeking service connection for hypertension and sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for headaches, residuals of a right elbow injury, and residuals of injuries to both hands. However, these claims remain denied as there is no medical evidence showing current disabilities or linking them to active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to any injury sustained in service other than his April 1999 accident, which was due to willful misconduct. The claim of service connection for migraine headaches was not addressed as it was not part of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a history of cold-induced bronchitis and postpartum hemorrhage, finding that these conditions are more likely than not related to the Veteran's period of active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for further development of evidence, including additional examination and review of medical records. The claims are not currently decided on their merits.

The Veteran's hypertension is found to be etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, and the Board grants this claim. The issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches as secondary to hypertension is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate examination and missing records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including sleep impairment, numbness of the lower extremities, headaches, swelling of the lower extremities, periodic accelerated heart rate, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining of medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of head injuries sustained in service is being reviewed.