Migraines & headaches decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a chronic headache disorder, to include migraines, or a bilateral foot disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various symptoms including headaches, dizziness, fainting, lack of coordination, memory loss, confusion, anxiety, and depression. The Board finds that clarification is needed regarding the Veteran's duty status on dates when he received anthrax vaccinations.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis and impingement, migraine headaches, and has denied service connection for a pelvic disability. The Veteran's left shoulder condition is found to have begun in service, and her migraine headaches are found to have begun in service.

The Board is remanding the case for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA medical records. The Veteran's claims include service connection for various joint disorders, Crohn's disease, and increased evaluations for his head injury with headaches.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids, headaches, and arthritis of the right first metacarpal are rated as noncompensably disabling. The Veteran is granted initial compensable ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for headaches, which are considered a direct result of injury incurred in active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for dermatological symptoms including dandruff, memory loss, visual problems, right facial swelling, headaches, and joint pain. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were due to an undiagnosed illness or related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for tympanic membrane rupture and dizzy spells with headaches, including as secondary to service-connected tinnitus. The Veteran's claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, and his dizziness was found unrelated to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, left arm fracture, headaches, eye disability, hypertension, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that would result in these disabilities.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as incurred in service. Service connection for a groin disorder and headaches are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral eye disability, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The Veteran's claims for service connection remain in appellate status.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be due to an undiagnosed illness incurred during service. However, his right arm atrophy is not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% rating for internal derangement of the left knee, but his other conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for migraine headaches, status post-operative Bartholin's gland cyst with bilateral marsupialization, and her current right leg strain. However, she does not have a currently diagnosed right leg strain.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and secondary service connection for migraines. The remaining issues of service connection for cracked teeth, ear injury, and hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a service-connected traumatic brain injury, and denied his claims for increased ratings for depressive disorder and migraines.

The Veteran died from respiratory depression due to acute morphine intoxication. The appellant claims that the death was caused by his service-connected conditions, including generalized anxiety with depression and PTSD, which may have led him to abuse painkillers like morphine. The Board finds a need for additional development to determine if the cause of death is related to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to develop and adjudicate his claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches, neck pain, hypertension, multiple joint pain, diverticulitis, impotence, and arterial calcification in the left ankle region, secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches and lower back disability are related to his military service, granting both claims.