Migraines & headaches decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete in-patient records and further development is needed under the theory of secondary service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, quadrilateral numbness as secondary to a cervical spine disability, and headaches as secondary to a cervical spine disability. The evidence did not support a finding that any current disabilities were related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fatigue, muscle fatigue and headaches was granted. An effective date of June 23, 2006, was assigned for the grant of a 40 percent rating for fibromyalgia. The appeal regarding severance of service connection for an undiagnosed condition characterized by arthralgias of the hands, hips, ankles and shoulders is still pending.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for headaches due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. However, further development is needed as the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's headaches must be obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is not incurred in line of duty due to his own willful misconduct, and thus service connection for PTSD cannot be granted. The claims for back disorder, headaches, hearing loss, high blood pressure, and nasal disorder are also denied.

The Veteran's deviated septum is rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating. The claims for service connection of headaches, rhinitis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, scar residuals of the face and head, chronic headaches, and sinusitis are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The effective date is November 10, 2010.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the Veteran's current headache disorder to his active service or any of his service-connected disabilities, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current residuals of a head injury, including headaches, are not related to service or caused by his service-connected right eye disability.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a service-connected traumatic brain injury or any related residuals. The Veteran's headaches, if present, are not shown to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent effective June 9, 2011. The initial grant of service connection resulted in a 10 percent evaluation prior to that date.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches, claimed as migraine headaches, is granted. The remaining claims are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with postconcussive headaches is rated at the highest available rating of 70 percent, effective June 30, 2000.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing at the Pittsburgh RO. The issues of an increased disability rating for left eye hypertropia and service connection for headaches and neck spasms are on hold until further notice.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability evaluation for chronic headaches was granted, and a 30 percent rating has been assigned since August 1, 2006. The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent since February 2007, with the effective date remaining null as it pertains to this appeal. Dry eye syndrome does not match any specific diagnostic codes in the rating schedule and was evaluated under a closely related disease or injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic headaches, a seizure disorder, and a bilateral shoulder disorder due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected headaches warrant a separate 30 percent disability evaluation, but no more.

The Board has denied reopening of the previously-denied claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, multiple substance and alcohol abuse, residuals of Agent Orange exposure, headaches, chronic bronchitis, and mood disorder. The evidence received since the previous denial does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, as secondary to his service-connected hemangioma of the nose, is being remanded due to procedural issues and need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical opinions regarding his service connection claim for headaches, and for a determination on TDIU. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension for an extraschedular evaluation.