Migraines & headaches decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's current headaches and psychiatric disability are not related to his service, specifically the physical altercation in 1986. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, initial compensable evaluation prior to June 23, 2008, for bilateral hearing loss, increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss from June 23, 2008 to May 28, 2009, and evaluations in excess of 10 percent for limitation of flexion and extension of the right knee were all denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, bilateral stress fractures of the lower extremities, and migraine headaches as there is no competent evidence demonstrating current disabilities related to these conditions that may be linked to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional evaluation of his shrapnel scar and headaches, as well as consideration of a separate compensable rating for headaches.

The Board found that the appellant's daily migraines, which are completely prostrating and prolonged, meet the criteria for a 50% evaluation under Diagnostic Code 8100. The claim is granted as there is no evidence of an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches were rated at 30% prior to May 28, 2009 and increased to 50% effective from that date. The current rating is the highest available under applicable schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches and sinusitis are proximately due to, the result of, or chronically aggravated by his service-connected nasal deformity with nasal airway obstruction.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches, including as secondary to service-connected tinnitus. The Board dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.

The Veteran seeks service connection for headaches, which he asserts are related to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has determined that additional development is required due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the headaches are caused or aggravated by the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with cervicalgia and headaches. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining MEB records and VA examinations, is necessary to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's GERD and tension headaches have been granted, with a 10% rating for each condition. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have left shoulder, migraine headache, or back disorders during service and did not experience continuous symptoms since service. The current diagnoses were not related to service.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's claimed headaches are etiologically related to both service and his service-connected scalp folliculitis, thus granting service connection for headaches.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, disability manifested by dizzy spells, a prostate disorder, and a heart disorder due to service. The Veteran's statements regarding these conditions were not credible.,VA examinations concluded that the Veteran's headaches, disability manifested by dizzy spells, prostate disorder, and heart disorder are not causally related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for migraine headaches was granted, effective October 9, 2005. The disability is rated based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's recurrent muscle contraction-type headaches are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen several service connection claims, but the Veteran's claim for headaches is reopened. The remaining issues are decided based on the merits.