Migraines & headaches decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current sleep disorder, and her headaches met the criteria for a 10% rating.

The Veteran's appeal is for increased ratings for TBI residuals, but the RO has also denied service connection for memory loss. The case is being remanded to resolve these inconsistencies and obtain updated medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches and is granting it, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The appeal will now proceed to consider whether service connection can be granted on a direct basis.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches and psychiatric disabilities, including depression and anxiety, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The pre-existing conditions existed prior to service and did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but is unable to proceed with a decision on the merits due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and a medical opinion regarding her headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with a 10% evaluation assigned for his irritable bowel syndrome with duodenal ulcer and hiatal hernia. The headaches, COPD, GERD, and erectile dysfunction are all considered to be related to the service-connected condition of irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board found that the appellant did not have a current disability related to his service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for voiding dysfunction, as a residual of adenocarcinoma of the prostate, is denied. The RO has granted a 40 percent rating for this disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as her claimed conditions are not related to her military service, including Gulf War exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including DJD of the lumbar spine, bursitis of the left shoulder, mucous retention cyst of the right maxillary sinus, and pressure on the brain with headaches and dizzy spells, all associated with participation in Project SHAD. The appeal was not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic jaw disability and headaches are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The VA needs to obtain additional medical records, conduct new examinations, and provide addendum opinions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right knee disability, migraine headaches, and hypertension. The Veteran's appeals for ischemic heart disease, sleep apnea, and GERD are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-service medical records and providing VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims.

The Board has vacated its July 2012 decision denying service connection for migraine headaches, including as secondary to a service-connected hemangioma of the nose. The case is held in abeyance for 60 days from the date of this Order to VACATE allowing the Veteran and his attorney to respond to the December 2011 supplemental IME opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are productive of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks, resulting in severe economic inadaptability. The Board has granted a 50% rating for the Veteran's headaches.

The Veteran's headaches and acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, were not shown to be related to his service or any in-service stressor. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee degenerative joint disease, a low back disability, hemangiomas (claimed as brain and spinal tumors), headaches, hepatitis C, and a respiratory disorder, have been denied. The appeal is based on new evidence received to reopen service connection for a low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for migraine headaches and fibromyalgia were denied as there was no prior informal claim or evidence of entitlement prior to March 31, 2009.