Migraines & headaches decisions — 2004

The VA has granted an increased evaluation of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis and residual chronic headaches and dizziness from craniotomy for brain abscess.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches and symptoms of nervousness, night sweats, loss of sleep, and shyness were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA has provided reasonable efforts to develop evidence for these claims.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of her husband's death and DIC pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318, finding that there was no evidence linking any service-connected disability to his death.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural defects and requests for additional medical records. The veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder impingement and an increased evaluation for muscle contracture headaches are pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the veteran's claims of service connection for left eye disability and headaches. The claims are therefore denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cerebrospinal meningitis and chronic migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need to secure additional medical records, provide a nexus opinion based on all available evidence, and ensure compliance with VCAA requirements.

The veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated as 50 percent disabling, the maximum rating assignable under Diagnostic Code 8100. The veteran is granted a higher disability rating for his service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, but granted service connection for hepatitis B. The low back and left knee disabilities are remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, finding no chronic residual disability associated with his in-service head injuries. The veteran currently has a diagnosed chronic tension headache but the Board determined this is not related to any head injury sustained during service.

The veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the higher initial rating for cervical strain before a decision was made by the Board.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for schizophrenia, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The veteran withdrew his substantive appeal, effectively dismissing all issues on appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability, finding no direct evidence of its onset during active service and insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection based on her pre-existing psychiatric disorder. The Board also noted that there was no compensable arthritis in the neck within one year after separation from service.

The Board has ordered additional development for the veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder disability, erectile dysfunction, and headache disorder due to incomplete information.

The Board has determined that the veteran's enlarged liver, vocal cord disability, hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, and vision loss were not incurred or aggravated by active military service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for headaches and neuralgia of the forehead, finding no evidence that these conditions resulted from an in-service event or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed and a new examination is necessary to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's headaches, effective from March 1999. The veteran's headaches are characterized by constant mild to moderate pain with more severe attacks that require bed rest and prevent work.

The Board has determined that the veteran's migraine headaches began during his military service and are related to his active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to failure to provide proper VCAA notice and because of new evidence received since the last rating decision.