Migraines & headaches decisions — 2013

The Veteran's combination of service-connected migraine headaches, depressive disorder, PTSD associated with prostate cancer residuals, bilateral hearing loss, left foot injury, and impotence are found to be disabling enough to prevent him from securing or following substantial gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received after the most recent supplemental statement of the case.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of hypertension and thus denied the claim for service connection. The Veteran's migraine headaches are not secondary to his service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature, onset, and likely etiology of her migraine headaches and respiratory disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. However, the claim is remanded as it requires additional medical examination and development of VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and dizziness, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected ischemic heart disease. The Board found that there was no evidence of a diagnosed disability related to these conditions and that the Veteran did not provide sufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically for her right knee and left foot callus of the 5th metatarsal head. As such, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was granted an increased rating to 50 percent effective July 9, 2012. The Veteran also received a separate 10 percent disability rating for lateral instability of the right knee and a 10 percent disability rating for lateral instability of the left knee.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection and a 10 percent rating for TBI residuals was denied. The effective date assigned in the August 2010 rating decision is October 23, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current migraine headaches are related to his service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, hearing loss, and headaches have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is reopened based on the submission of new and material evidence. The remaining issues remain denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a low back disorder, bilateral tinea pedis, and tinea cruris have no in-service disease or injury to which they may be related.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding her left knee disability and migraine headaches.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches and remanded it for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of head trauma, a heart disorder, an increased rating for major depressive disorder, and an increased rating for gastritis and headaches. The claim for TDIU was also addressed but not adjudicated as it is related to another issue.

The Veteran's current skin disability, hidradenitis and infection of the epidermis due to MRSA, is presumed to be related to his service in Vietnam. However, Xerosis was found to have a direct relationship with his active military service.,Headaches are not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's TBI, manifested by mild memory loss, occasional disorientation, mild impairment to visual spatial orientation, subjective headaches and nightmares, is etiologically related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and tension headaches have been granted.,The Veteran's increased rating claims for plantar fasciitis of the right foot and left foot are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including the need for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his GERD and headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of his claimed conditions, including sinus disorder, respiratory disability, acquired psychiatric disability, headache disorder, hypertension, and colon condition or GERD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches began during service and are related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition. The nonmigraine headache disorders were not found to be related to service or a pre-existing condition.