Migraines & headaches decisions — 2012

The Veteran's current diagnoses of migraine headaches, bilateral arch pain (plantar fasciitis), and testicular pain are all found to be related to his military service.,Service treatment records document the Veteran's complaints of headaches during active duty in Iraq. He was diagnosed with a mild tension headache upon examination in October 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's nasal fracture, headaches, memory difficulty, sinus problems, and right little finger disorder. The issues of service connection are also on hold pending adjudication of the right ring finger claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected residuals of a head injury with headaches, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's headaches are related to her service-connected maxillary sinusitis, and thus cannot be separately service connected.,There is no evidence that the bilateral bunionectomies resulted in residuals that are not already covered by her current service-connected maxillary sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the last decision, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches is being reconsidered.

The Board found no nexus between the Veteran's cervical spine disability and service, including his service-connected muscle tension headaches. The claim for a cervical neck disorder characterized by pain was granted, while the claim for muscle tension headaches was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including a TBI examination and additional medical records. The claim will be adjudicated again in light of all pertinent evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including laryngeal cancer, major depression, tension headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus, are sufficiently severe to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, asthma, residuals of fractures of the radius and ulna, and dyshidrosis and onychomycosis of the toenails of both feet due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition in service or within one year after discharge.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current residuals of a head injury, including headaches and left-sided TMJ, related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, STRs, and examinations. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, low back disability, and cervical spine disability are pending.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD and migraine headaches. The Veteran's claims were previously considered, but new evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen the claim for a psychiatric disability. Migraine headaches were also found not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of her appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for migraines, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to his in-service accident, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of TBI, including headaches. However, further development is needed to determine if he has any current residuals from his brain injury in service and what their nature and severity are.

The Board has granted service connection for a disorder manifested by dizziness and tension headaches on the basis that they are secondary to service-connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and insomnia, is also granted as it is found to be aggravated by service-connected hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorder and the current severity of his service-connected low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have any symptoms of residuals of an appendectomy during any period of active service and that his currently diagnosed low back disorder is not related to active service. The claims for psychiatric, shoulder, muscle spasms and joint pain, and migraine headaches were also addressed but are remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for headaches, left great toe fracture with arthritis, and cervical spine disability were denied. The Veteran was not shown to have very frequent completely prostrating attacks of headache productive of severe economic inadaptability or actual loss of use of his left foot at any time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's head trauma residuals, including headaches, are related to service and grants service connection.