Migraines & headaches decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's increased rating claims for migraine headaches and left ear injury with hearing loss, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches and granted service connection based on a finding that the Veteran's current migraines are related to an injury sustained in service.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain, joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness affecting the right ankle, left hip, and both shoulders, and sinusitis with headaches and blurred vision are all rated at their maximum disability levels of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, finding that the Veteran's current headache symptoms are related to his in-service head injury. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to evaluate his headaches, hemorrhoids, and hemangioma of the intra-abdominal structures. The claim of service connection for hemangioma will also be referred back for issuance of an SOC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, a skin disorder, and residuals of an eye injury have been granted. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of coronary artery disease presumed due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches and Raynaud's syndrome of the hands warrant increased ratings to 30 percent and 40 percent, respectively, for the entire appeal period. The decision is based on the frequency and severity of the symptoms experienced by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including headaches and hypertension, all claimed as secondary to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals. The effective date is not specified.

The Board found no evidence of current residuals from the 1995 head injury and concluded that service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The Board found that there was no evidence showing a direct link between his military service and his current condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a headache condition and determined that new evidence supports the claim, finding it related to his in-service head injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions as accrued benefits were granted. The conditions include a back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, kidney disorder, respiratory disorder (including lung disorder and shortness of breath), gastrointestinal disorder other than adenocarcinoma of the stomach, headache disorder, skin disorder, and urinary bladder disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a headache disability. The Veteran reported experiencing headaches since his time in active duty, which is sufficient to establish continuity of symptomatology. Therefore, service connection for a headache disability is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to her failure to report for scheduled VA examinations and the need for updated medical records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, low back disability, chronic headache disability, respiratory symptoms, and chronic fatigue, all of which were deemed to be related to undiagnosed illnesses. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches, left ankle disabilities, and right ankle disabilities are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient time provided for response and additional development of the claims file.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have an abdominal or liver disorder related to service, and his headache disorder is not related to military service. The psychiatric disorder claim was not addressed as it did not involve a service connection issue.