Migraines & headaches decisions — 2012

The Board found no evidence of a chronic right shoulder or back disability in service, and the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his active duty. Headaches were also not shown to be due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and providing notice of provisions at 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to adjudication of the claims. The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, left shoulder disorder, IBS, chronic headaches, depression, bilateral knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome are REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification on whether the issue of service connection for neck pain remains in appellate status and for any additional development deemed necessary.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for headaches, a generalized bone/joint disorder including arthritis and strains of multiple joints, a left knee disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder (pes planus) have been rendered moot due to the grant of service connection in May 2012. The appellant's claims are denied as there is no evidence linking her current conditions to military service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical nexus opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims are now pending again with the RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and migraine headaches are secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher. The claim for service connection of eye injuries has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Hip disorder and scars resulting from shrapnel wounds have not been established as related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and determining whether further attempts to obtain them would be futile.

The Board has reopened multiple service connection claims but denied some of them due to lack of new and material evidence. The effective dates for certain benefits have been adjusted, while others remain pending.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that his blood pressure readings do not support a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tension headaches was denied, as the evidence did not show that his disability warranted a higher evaluation. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected headache syndrome is rated at 30 percent, and her service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, depression, and hypertension are not yet fully developed. The RO is directed to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding these issues and afford the Veteran an opportunity to perfect her appeal by filing a Substantive Appeal.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for moya-moya disease, headaches, neck disability, low back disability, and residuals of a head injury. The Veteran's moya-moya disease is found to have had its onset in active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right heel disorder and headaches did not have their onset during service or within one year of discharge, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current neurological disorder or headaches, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's stress fracture of the left tibia is rated at 10 percent, and his pes planus and plantar fasciitis of both feet are each rated at 10 percent. The remaining conditions have not been rated higher.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for residuals of a closed head injury with concussion is being remanded due to the passage of time since his last VA examination and because he contends that his condition has worsened.