Migraines & headaches decisions — 2011

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, a left thigh disorder, and a chronic headache disorder. The evidence submitted since the previous decisions supports these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with notification and development of records, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a back disorder or headaches that are related to his military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current disabilities, including closed head injury, orbital and maxillary fractures, cervical vertebra fracture, thoracic spine fracture, left distal fibula fracture, left foot injuries, upper arm fracture, eye visual field impairment, hearing loss, rib fractures, pneumothorax, scapula fracture, dysphagia, sinus disease, and headaches, are not causally or etiologically related to his active service or a finding that the disabilities are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are manifested by at least weekly prostrating and occasionally prolonged attacks that do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found that the Veteran has a current medical condition affecting his vision, i.e., floaters in both eyes with posterior vitreous detachment, which was first noted during military service.

The appeal is being remanded due to missing VA outpatient records and the need for additional examinations to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right foot or left foot disability found to be present.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and migraine headaches will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected post concussion headaches are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for hypertensive nephrosclerosis and migraines, effective from the date of the remand (December 3, 2008).

The Board denied service connection for pes planus, right ankle disability, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's current symptoms of flat feet were not shown to be related to his active duty service, while the right ankle disability was resolved without residual issues. Service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's sleep apnea with asthma is rated at 50 percent, and his migraine headaches are rated at 10 percent from October 24, 2007, through February 7, 2010. The rating for the migraine headaches was increased to 30 percent as of February 8, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected ocular headache disability is rated at 10 percent effective from September 3, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran did not have qualifying prostrating headaches before or after this date.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches and an increased rating for the Veteran's left eye injury, with a current disability rating of 40 percent.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, dizziness, anxiety, high cholesterol, and a cervical spine disability. The claim for hypertension was not reopened as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED to the RO/AMC for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination. The claims for initial higher ratings on appeal will be readjudicated after all actions are completed.

The Veteran's chronic disability exhibited by headaches was not incurred or aggravated in service. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, specifically the need for SSA medical records underlying a denial of disability benefits. The VA is required to obtain these records and provide them to the claims folder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is the result of active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for a headache disorder remains unresolved as it was not limited to the March 2009 decision.