Migraines & headaches decisions — 2003

The veteran's service-connected partial paralysis of the fifth and seventh cranial nerves is found to be a proximate cause of his headaches, thus granting service connection for headaches secondary to these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right foot disorder (including as secondary to a left foot disorder), and esotropia have been denied. The claim for service connection for headaches is pending.

The veteran's death was caused by a seizure disorder, which is not service-connected. Service connection was denied for joint pain, fever, pericarditis, allergies, and mental relapse.

The Board has granted service connection for dizziness, attributing it to the veteran's active military service and his long history of headaches.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a diagnosed headache disability distinct from his service-connected cervical spine muscle spasms, and thus denied the claim of service connection for headaches.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those claimed as a result of undiagnosed illness. The Board concluded that none of the claimed disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The case is being remanded for further development and examination to determine the validity of the veteran's claims, including a left shoulder disability, erectile dysfunction, and headache disorder.

The Board found that the appellant's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is characterized by mild symptoms and does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The claim for service connection of migraine headaches was also denied as there is no evidence indicating the disorder had its onset in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected migraine headaches, finding that the evidence did not show completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board found that the reduction of the rating for migraine headaches from 30 percent to 10 percent was proper based on evidence showing less frequent prostrating attacks.

The Board found that the veteran's fatigue, headaches and joint pain are likely due to an undiagnosed illness incurred during his service in the Persian Gulf War. The benefit of doubt was extended to the veteran.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected upper respiratory condition was granted, with a 30 percent evaluation effective from November 2, 1994.

The veteran's claims for service connection for insomnia, depression, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux from the upper gastrointestinal, multiple joint pain, and headaches have all been denied. The claim for PTSD was not addressed as it is unclear whether the veteran has this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board finds that the veteran's diagnosed tension headaches were directly incurred in service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding the veteran's lung disability and hearing loss.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any headaches, psychiatric disability, and low back disability.

The Board found no evidence of a psychiatric disorder, anxiety, major depression, headaches, or allergic rhinitis during service. The veteran's current conditions are not linked to his active military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing at the RO before a Veterans Law Judge.