Migraines & headaches decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, finding that they are proximately due to or the result of a service-connected bipolar disorder. The left knee disability is not addressed as it was not on appeal.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for migraine headaches, left ear hearing loss, right elbow tendonitis, and arthritis. The Veteran's current conditions are presumed to be related to his military service due to the presence of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, the highest available rating under the applicable criteria. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of stressor events and obtaining VA treatment records. He also needs to undergo examinations for his claimed psychiatric disability, headaches, hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, stress fractures of the ankles, and stress fractures of the feet.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her muscle tension headaches and hip disorders, as well as determining whether any current hip conditions are related to service or secondary to her back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unemployable, as she is currently employed in an administrative/personnel capacity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and muscle contraction headaches associated with it are being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, as well as SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request to reschedule his videoconference hearing. The claims for service connection will be handled in an expeditious manner.

The Veteran's disability manifested by migraine headaches is not due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by service; nor is it proximately due to or the result of his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were granted, with the effective date being determined based on individual issue determinations.,For chronic lumbar strain with mild facet arthropathy and mild degenerative disc disease, a rating of 20 percent was assigned from September 27, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches result in characteristic prostrating attacks averaging at least once every two months, and the Board has granted a 10% disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher 50 percent rating is warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected hypertension, and he is granted a 10 percent evaluation for hypertension from July 13, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the Veteran's claim.,The Veteran's loss of teeth is not considered service-connected for purposes of eligibility for dental treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected status post concussion due to head injury including headaches is currently rated at 50 percent effective February 5, 2009.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and providing a Gulf War Guidelines examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except migraine headaches has been withdrawn. The Board grants service connection for migraine headaches.,The Veteran reported experiencing headaches since childhood, but her current diagnosis is of a chronic condition that began in service and resolved with pregnancy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of her migraine headaches, as well as whether service connection can be established for them secondary to her service-connected adjustment disorder with anxious mood.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine with L5 nerve root impingement and degenerative disc disease is service-connected.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the Veteran's right knee chondromalacia and her military service.