Migraines & headaches decisions — 2001

The veteran's headaches and depression with associated sleep disorder are found to be related to the May 1996 surgical procedures, which were deemed VA care. The additional disability resulting from these procedures is granted.

The Board finds that the veteran's herpes zoster/shingles, back disability, bilateral foot disabilities, and headaches are service-connected as they are part of an underlying condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and found that he did not meet the requirements for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for right eye disorder, numbness of the lower lip, and recurrent headaches. The veteran's current conditions are believed to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's right wrist and hand disorder, effective from March 5, 1996, excluding periods of temporary total ratings. The veteran also has service connection for migraine.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected status post barotrauma with vascular headaches, finding that it results in impairment equivalent to migraine with characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over the last several months.

The veteran's service-connected stress headaches are rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines, and no further increase in evaluation is warranted.

The veteran seeks service connection for a headache disorder, which he claims is related to spinal anesthesia during his military service. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining medical records and conducting an examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's substantive appeal was not timely filed for his service connection claims, and thus the appeals are dismissed.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hand disability is not etiologically related to treatment at a VA Medical Center (VAMC). The loss of use of both hands was not linked to any injury or condition treated by the VAMC.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, migraine headaches, and thoracic impingement syndrome. The veteran's left scapula myofascial syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent since January 1993, and her bilateral hearing loss remains noncompensable.

The veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, while his hemorrhoids remain noncompensable.

The veteran's headaches, fatigue, hair loss, and depression are all found to be related to his service in the Persian Gulf region. These conditions were not previously recognized or diagnosed during his military service.

The Board has granted a separate evaluation for the veteran's tension headaches as secondary to his service-connected hypertension, but denied service connection for a low back disorder.

The veteran is seeking a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected atypical migraine with tension headaches. The RO has not reviewed all of the veteran's treatment records, especially those from VA, and needs to obtain these records before determining if an increased evaluation is warranted.

The Board found that no timely substantive appeal was received as to the June 1964 rating decision denying service connection for head injury and migraine headaches. The veteran's claim is dismissed.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent disability rating for sinusitis with headaches was denied as the requirements for assignment of such an effective date prior to September 2, 1999 have not been met.

The veteran's dementia and headaches are rated at 30 percent, effective from November 10, 1994. The right shoulder bursitis is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left leg and foot disorders, headaches, and moles, tumors, and skin disorders are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service origin for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of a concussion with headaches, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.