Migraines & headaches decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a DRO hearing. The issues of service connection for headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the left leg, and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and a headache disorder (claimed as migraine headaches) are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his service treatment records and identification of all VA and non-VA health care providers who have treated him since his separation from service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions and to obtain relevant medical records. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of a head injury, including right-sided facial scar, memory loss and headaches. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, skin disability, bladder disability, kidney disability, liver disability, headaches, hypertension, and GERD. The decision did not address any presumptive exposure to herbicides or other specific exposures.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining records from his in-service neuropsychiatric clinic and any relevant private or VA treatment records. The claim for service connection for Graves' disease will be readjudicated following completion of this development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a hearing, and no further action is required on her part regarding service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and cervical strain, finding that the current disabilities are related to service. The Veteran's complaints of pain in his head and neck during service have been substantiated by medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to severance of service connection for headaches and entitlement to an increased rating for headaches. The Veteran's claim is being referred back to the AOJ for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic headaches began during service and have continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's headaches and cervical spine disorder are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, with no higher ratings granted. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on frequency or severity of his headaches.

The Board denied service connection for herpes, verruca vulgaris, shin splints, tinea vesicular, sinusitis, respiratory condition/rhinitis, seasonal rhinitis, bronchitis, headaches and venereal warts due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions during active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's cluster headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for bilateral hearing loss due to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's headaches, currently rated at 10 percent, were not found to meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of characteristic prostrating attacks.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of service-connected migraine headaches was granted, and the effective date for his service connection for a psychiatric disorder (depression with insomnia and anxiety) was set at April 20, 2012.

The Veteran's lung disability, diagnosed as bronchitis and asthma, was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board found that the condition was incurred in service.,Service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) including post-traumatic concussion headaches is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of the appellant's service-connected migraine headaches and loss of grip strength of the right hand. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has also been raised by the record and must be adjudicated.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD, and he is granted a 70% disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's hypoesthesia results in no more than incomplete, moderate paralysis of the cranial nerve and is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disability and headaches, including migraines, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.