Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of left wrist disability and service connection for headaches and stomach disorder were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10% rating for painful left wrist status post ganglionectomy, but the Board found no basis to grant higher ratings or reopen his stomach disorder claim.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service and have persisted since. Obesity was not found to be related to service. Other conditions were also found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining neuropsychological testing records and requesting an opinion from a VA psychiatrist regarding the Veteran's claimed psychiatric condition. The decision is pending further review.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pes planus and headaches were denied, but her claim for a left ankle disorder was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting pes planus did not worsen during service, and there is no current evidence of chronic headaches. However, she has been diagnosed with a left ankle disorder presumed related to active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, sleep disorder, headaches, breathing problems (asthma), bilateral shoulder disabilities, ankle disabilities, and knee disabilities, all of which were claimed as due to Persian Gulf War undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, chronic headaches, and bilateral shoulder disability are related to his military service. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records from 2003, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection for headaches based on clear and unmistakable error in a 1997 rating decision is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cerebral concussion with headaches and migraine headaches due to cerebral concussion were denied as the residuals of a cerebral concussion did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development of the claims of service connection for a back disability, left eye disability, chronic headaches, and a higher initial rating for residuals of a left knee injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and a Social and Industrial Survey to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that service connection for bilateral brachial plexus disability, claimed as a nerve condition, is not warranted due to lack of evidence linking the current disability to service. The Veteran's headaches were also found not related to service.

The Board found no current diagnoses for the Veteran's claimed headache disability, neck condition, skin rash, and breathing condition. The claims were denied as there was insufficient evidence to support service connection.

The Veteran's sinusitis is related to her military service and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's chronic tension headaches are currently rated at 10 percent prior to March 27, 2009 and the appeal is granted for a higher rating of 30 percent thereafter. The effective date remains unchanged.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are characterized by sharp pain occurring at least two or three times a week and lasting two or three hours. For PTSD, the preponderance of evidence indicates that his disability picture has been manifested by symptoms including poor impulse control and suicidal ideation, leading to deficiencies in most areas, including family relations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records, particularly those from 1998 to August 2007 and October 2008 to present.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied.,The claim of new and material evidence to reopen a left knee disability has also been denied.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's appeals on all issues except for the issue of an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus. The claim was denied as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran raised a claim within one year of his discharge from service, and the RO did not have notice of any pertinent evidence prior to July 10, 2008.