Migraines & headaches decisions — 2002

The veteran's muscle tension headaches are rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is not sufficient to meet his claim for a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and migraine headaches do not warrant increased ratings as they are currently evaluated.

The appellant withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the appellant's claims being well grounded, requiring VA to search for and obtain service medical records from various sources. The case is now remanded for further action.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of September 19, 1996 for a 10 percent evaluation of the left knee disability and found that new and material evidence supports reopening the claims for service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression.

The veteran's service-connected headaches are recurrent but not prostrating, and the Board has determined that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The veteran's bilateral ocular histoplasmosis with macular scarring and decreased right eye vision is currently rated at 30 percent, while his migraine headaches are also rated at 30 percent. The veteran's conditions were found to be service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and polycystic kidney disease, both found to be related to the veteran's hypertension.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any current disability related to a jaw injury incurred in service, and there is insufficient evidence of a head injury or its residuals. The claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury is denied.

The veteran's service-connected headache disorder is currently rated at 10 percent from November 1, 1990 to January 31, 2001. A rating in excess of 10 percent for the condition is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss was denied. The veteran also seeks a permanent and total rating for non-service-connected disability pension purposes, but the case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine if he meets the criteria.

The veteran's PTSD was granted service connection effective March 11, 2002.,A rating of 30 percent for PTSD is assigned from March 11, 2002.

The veteran's headaches are currently rated as 10%, and his cervical spine disability is rated at 10%. The lumbosacral strain with diffuse degenerative changes has been increased to 40% since May 4, 1998. However, the headaches have not met criteria for a higher rating prior to September 23, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches and service connection for tinnitus, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral spine condition and migraine headaches, finding that the current evaluations of 20 percent were appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The case is being returned to the RO due to incomplete service medical records and missing treatment records. The veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered after obtaining these records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensable ratings for his service-connected sclerosis of the hips, bilateral defective hearing, and residuals of a head injury with headaches.