Migraines & headaches decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is of service origin and grants service connection for this condition. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability, tension headaches, and dizziness as secondary to his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches was denied as the evidence did not show severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for cervical strain with degenerative joint disease is remanded to the RO for further action.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 21, 2008, for the grant of service connection for cervical strain with degenerative joint disease was denied as there was no evidence of a pre-existing cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions, as well as increased ratings for fibromyalgia and PTSD.

The Veteran's headaches occur several times per month but are not very frequent or completely prostrating, resulting in a 30 percent disability rating.,The competent evidence of record demonstrates that the left foot heel spur, plantar fasciitis was characterized by pain and no more than moderate functional impairment of the foot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to secure pertinent records and obtain VA examinations.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran has a seizure disorder that is related to service, specifically her migraine headaches. Therefore, service connection for a seizure disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of a left hand scar, reopening of migraine headaches and PTSD service connection claims have all been denied. The acquired psychiatric disability claim has not been addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches, effective from the date of the grant of service connection. The Veteran's daily migraines with photosensitivity, otosensitivity, nausea, and vomiting are considered to be at least as severe as what is required for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, as well as his head injury with possible skull fracture, have been granted. The highest available rating of 30 percent has been assigned for the cervical spine condition, while a 40 percent rating is assigned for the lumbar spine condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headache disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected headaches is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of other claims, including TDIU and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that additional information and development are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including verification of her service dates and obtaining all pertinent treatment records.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the January 2001 and October 2002 rating decisions does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating any of the service connection claims.,As such, all new and material evidence claims have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection due to inadequate evidence of record, requiring further VA examinations and development.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical services is denied because the emergency condition was not present and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of whether new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, ulcer disorder, insomnia, gastrointestinal disorder to include gastritis, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss, low back disorder, hypertension, muscle disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorder to include peripheral vascular disease and swelling, potassium deficiency, joint disorder, GERD, gallbladder disorder, bladder cancer, respiratory disorder to include asthma, chronic airway obstruction, shortness of breath, chest pain, and allergic disorder, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include dysthymia, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic attacks.,The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of whether new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claims of entitlement to service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disorder to include gastritis, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss, low back disorder, hypertension, muscle disorder, bilateral lower extremity disorder to include peripheral vascular disease and swelling, potassium deficiency, joint disorder, GERD, gallbladder disorder, bladder cancer, respiratory disorder to include asthma, chronic airway obstruction, shortness of breath, chest pain, and allergic disorder, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder to include dysthymia, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic attacks.

The Board denied service connection for leg cramp and headache disabilities, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Veteran's complaints were noted in service but did not result in diagnoses or treatment post-service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues related to service connection for kidney stones, also claimed as kidney pain; a chronic prostate disorder; skin rashes; brittle nails; a chronic bladder disorder; a chronic neurological disorder of the arms and legs; a headache disorder; sinusitis and allergies; gastroesophageal reflux disease; and stomach cancer, also claimed as cancerous polyps in the colon and a cancerous tumor in the duodenum.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for migraine headaches, finding that his current condition is related to active service. The issues of service connection for tinnitus and status post inguinal hernia repair are remanded for further development.