Migraines & headaches decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of headaches or chest pains, and there is no medical evidence linking these symptoms to service. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been granted initial ratings of 10%, 30%, and 50% since June 14, 2000, with the highest rating applied retroactively to August 30, 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and determined that the veteran's current disability is etiologically related to his active military service. The issue of an initial compensable rating for scars as residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right thigh remains pending due to missing or destroyed service medical records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of a skull fracture with headaches and residuals of a left clavicle fracture, as well as his claim for a compensable rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his seizure disorder claim is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a fracture of his right small toe are service-connected, and he is entitled to compensation for this condition. The claim for migraine headaches was also granted.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal through their authorized representative.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and hammertoes, finding that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the headaches claim, and also noting that there was no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current hammertoes to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic back disorder and chronic headaches. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, a respiratory disorder, headaches, chest pain, and fatigue as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected chronic muscle tension headaches are rated at 10 percent, effective March 27, 1997. The claim for an earlier effective date is granted, but the claim for a higher initial evaluation remains denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for post-traumatic cluster-type vascular headaches, finding that his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA disability rating schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for cutaneous nerve damage to the right leg, secondary to a service-connected shrapnel wound. The veteran's PTSD and migraine headaches are rated at their highest possible evaluation of 50 percent.

The veteran was granted a TDIU rating with a 70% disability rating for PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and history of major depressive disorder. The effective date is set to December 17, 2000.

The veteran's headaches are service-connected and rated at 10%. The left eye epiphora is also service-connected and rated at 10%, effective from June 25, 1960. The scars on the face, forehead, and left eyelid are service-connected and rated at 10%.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a right ear infection, residuals of a right thumb injury, and headaches as there is no evidence of current disabilities or their onset during active military service.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case due to incomplete records. The appeal is currently remanded for additional development of medical records.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected mixed headache syndrome with muscular contraction, prostatitis, and bilateral hearing loss. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The appeal is being remanded to obtain VA treatment records, including those from Dr. Perrot and the Pineville neurologist, and to schedule new VA examinations.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The veteran's claim is granted in this regard, but further development is required to address his claims for increased evaluations for low back strain and headaches.