Migraines & headaches decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right shoulder and bilateral elbow disabilities due to overuse in service. The Veteran's congenital Ehlers-Danlos syndrome was aggravated by the physical demands of service.

The Veteran's hepatitis, bilateral hearing loss, and other conditions are all found to be related to his service. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, with blurred vision, headaches, and body weakness. The Veteran's claim was previously denied due to a lack of evidence establishing service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and likely etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for migraine headaches and TDIU were denied due to her failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disorders, including headaches, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder, were not incurred in service. The evidence did not establish continuity of symptomatology after service.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis with headaches is manifested by near constant sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and tenderness of the affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries. The Board has determined that a 50 percent rating for sinusitis with headaches meets the criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and bilateral tinnitus were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for left hip trochanteric bursitis, right hip trochanteric bursitis, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome.,Initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for the hips and knees were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and fainting and dizziness as secondary to a service-connected cervical spine disability, with a rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, headaches, joint pain, and chronic fatigue were denied as secondary to her service-connected menstrual disorder. The Board requested additional medical opinions but the Veteran did not provide a response.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and headaches, finding that there is no medical evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling of VA examinations and for further development of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines have been rated at a maximum of 30 percent since January 22, 2010. The effective date for this rating is January 22, 2010.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection. The claims will be remanded to allow for additional examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development due to missing records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a TBI examination. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for tension headaches is pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes bipolar disorder. The Veteran is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a right heel/ankle injury, to include soft tissue damage and a scar involving the right ankle. The issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a head injury, to include headaches, is remanded due to the failure to provide a Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the October 2008 rating decision denying service connection for migraine headaches is final. New and material evidence was not received to reopen this claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, including chronic migraines and vertigo due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current condition and his military service. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for further development.