Migraines & headaches decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of an injury to his right hand little finger, a headache disability, and post-traumatic stress disorder are denied as they are not related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding her right hip disorder. The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for migraine headaches also requires further development.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression. The Veteran's headaches are also found to be related to her service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and development of his service-connected migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic respiratory disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and a chronic cardiac disability were denied. The Veteran was diagnosed with asthma in 2008 and obstructive sleep apnea in 2012, but there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a grant of benefits in any of the issues presented.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal concerning the claim of entitlement to service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for headaches and hypertension are addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back pain and headaches due to new and material evidence. However, further development is needed prior to adjudication of these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair as a normal mode of locomotion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records. The case will be readjudicated after all necessary actions are taken.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his claimed insomnia and headaches. The Veteran is also referred to obtain private treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's recurrent headaches were manifested by varying symptoms, but did not result in severe economic inadaptability. The Board found the manifestations of his headaches do not support a rating greater than 30 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to all pending claims prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current migraine headaches disorder, on the basis of in-service incurrence or as secondary to service-connected dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent as of July 8, 2009. The cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disorders are not service connected due to lack of evidence showing arthritis during or within one year after service. Headache disorder was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues with representation and notification. The claims for service connection are on the merits, but need further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to service connection for an infection of the right ear. The Board also dismissed the remaining claims as there is no evidence showing a current disability, in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury, and a causal relationship between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's service connection for a headache disorder is granted, and he is entitled to an increased rating for his right shoulder entrapment syndrome. The Board also found that the Veteran has hypertension and entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to the service-connected tinnitus is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the migraines are aggravated by the tinnitus.