Migraines & headaches decisions — 2012

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for headaches, bleeding gums, chest pain, generalized joint pain with muscle aches and numbness, and chronic fatigue as secondary to an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War is recognized.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since June 2005. The AMC recently awarded a separate compensable rating for his tension headaches.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for both his cervical spine disability and his tension headaches.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected migraine and tension headaches, finding that his condition did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the submission of a request by his representative to withdraw from appellate consideration.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a migraine headache disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for chest pain and asthma are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent effective March 25, 2009. His headaches were not found to warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to difficulties in obtaining service treatment records and requests for additional evidence from alternate sources. The Veteran's claims for ear problems, hypertension, tinnitus, hearing loss, and headaches are being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for vestibular disorders. The claims for increased ratings for cervical spondylosis and migraine headaches with dizziness will be readjudicated after the completion of these actions.

The Veteran's low back disorder, right thumb disorder, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, and headaches are found to be related to service. The psychiatric disorder (inclusive of PTSD) is also granted as it is considered a direct result of service.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for his lumbar spine, left foot, bilateral ankle, left leg, and head injury residuals disabilities. The examiner concluded that these conditions were less likely related to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development, including VA examinations, is needed prior to adjudicating the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraines do not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent, and his early hypertensive changes with left ventricular hypertrophy does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's headaches have been rated at the maximum 50 percent disability evaluation, effective October 15, 2008. The claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of headaches and ptosis are denied as they were not filed until after the date entitlement arose.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for bilateral pes planus, chronic sinusitis with headaches and recurrent nose bleeds. The claims were reopened but denied on the merits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and conducting additional examinations to address the nature and etiology of his bilateral knee, shoulder, and headache disabilities, as well as the severity of his service-connected right thoracolumbar strain.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of her requested increases or establishing service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal as he withdrew his claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches. The claims for increased evaluations for left middle and ring finger fractures are denied as there is no evidence of any functional impairment or limitation that would warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, NOS, is rated at 70 percent since October 22, 2007. The headaches issue remains pending and unresolved.

The Veteran's headaches were related to service and granted service connection.