Migraines & headaches decisions — 2011

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability has not been connected to any event from his active service and denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The claims of service connection for right leg injury, depression, and headaches are still pending.

The Veteran's headaches were not diagnosed during service or post-service, and there is no evidence of a current disability.,Hypertension was initially diagnosed in the late 1990s. The Board notes that diabetes mellitus was first diagnosed in August 2009, which predates hypertension by approximately one decade. Therefore, secondary service connection for hypertension due to diabetes mellitus is not warranted.

The Veteran's migraine headache disorder is considered to have been incurred during his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cataracts, concussion with residual headaches, and shell fragment wounds in January 1980. The decision was based on the evidence of record at that time.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed TBI residuals, as well as new VA examinations for his shell fragment wounds to the left scapula and scalp. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected migraine headaches is denied as her symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, GERD, sinusitis, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's claim for headaches was also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, type II and eczema (claimed as rash/itching), are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and migraines, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that her current chronic headaches (diagnosed as migraines) had their onset during active military service. The Veteran's currently-shown hiatal hernia with GERD and abnormal pap smear are dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for his eye conditions. The issues of service connection are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative spurring of the left tibiotalar joint is granted with a 10 percent initial rating.,Tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea are both found to be related to military service, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining the appellant's service personnel records and SSI application records, scheduling VA examinations for migraine headaches and depressive disorder, and notifying the appellant of secondary service connection requirements. The appeal will be remanded to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Veteran's increased rating claims for cervical/dorsal strain, chondromalacia of the left knee, and tension headaches have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.,Specifically, the Veteran's cervical/dorsal spine disability does not result in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, with combined range of motion no greater than 170 degrees. His left knee disability does not include recurrent subluxation or lateral instability resulting in limitation of extension to 10 degrees or more. And his tension headaches do not involve prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over the last several months.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to military service. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for headaches was remanded due to insufficient examination and the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's residuals of a skull fracture were rated at 10 percent from May 29, 1998 to November 26, 2008.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, or respiratory disorder. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's headaches were incurred in service and have persisted since then, warranting service connection.