Migraines & headaches decisions — 2004

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, finding that the current 10 percent evaluation adequately compensates her disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral leg disorder, coccygeal strain, and headaches. The case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a head injury, to include traumatic headaches, warrant an initial compensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims for service connection for peptic ulcer disease, sinus headaches, and a left hip disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinea versicolor, right knee disability, residuals of a nerve laceration along the radial aspect of the left index finger, back disability, and chronic headache disability. The RO granted service connection for coronary artery disease, left knee medial meniscal tear, traumatic arthritis of the right acromioclavicular joint, residuals of an arthrotomy of the first metatarsophalangeal joints of each foot with joint debridement for hallux limitus and degenerative joint disease, hemorrhoids, and anal fissure. The RO also denied entitlement to initial compensable disability ratings for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current hemorrhoids, headaches, hypertension, or gout. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's fatigue is a symptom of PTSD, which has already been established as service-connected. Therefore, it was denied for being a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness resulting from his Persian Gulf War service.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and to reopen his claim for hearing loss. The VA found that chronic residuals of a head injury were not present during service, and current symptoms are not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tension headaches, atypical chest pain, and generalized anxiety disorder with social phobia. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities related to these conditions that began during military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's respiratory condition represents an undiagnosed illness attributable to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board granted an initial noncompensable evaluation for migraine headaches from July 7, 2002 to April 10, 2003 and then a compensable (10%) evaluation starting on April 11, 2003. The veteran's condition was found to meet the criteria for a 10% evaluation based on characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once every two months.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, migraine headaches, and vertigo due to lack of verified in-service stressors. The claim for service connection for PTSD was not granted as there is no evidence that the claimed stressors occurred during service.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's thyroid disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on his symptoms or manifestations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic right ear infection and for increased ratings for TMJ syndrome. The rating for TMJ with headaches was granted, but at a lower level than requested.

The Board found that the veteran does not have migraine headaches of service origin and denied his claim for service connection.

The case is being remanded to the RO for further action, including scheduling a travel board hearing and considering the veteran's claims.

The veteran's headaches are rated at the highest schedular evaluation of 50 percent, effective from the date service connection was granted. The right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities each receive a 30 percent rating.

The RO will conduct further development to determine the current severity of the appellant's left knee condition and whether he has any other service-connected disabilities.,The RO will attempt to verify the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD and schedule a VA mental disorders examination to assess the nature and extent of any diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The examiner will also be asked to determine if the appellant's headaches, weight loss, diminished sex drive, or sleep disorder are due to undiagnosed illness.,The RO will attempt to verify the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD and schedule a VA mental disorders examination to assess the nature and extent of any diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The examiner will also be asked to determine if the appellant's headaches, weight loss, diminished sex drive, or sleep disorder are due to undiagnosed illness.,The RO will attempt to verify the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD and schedule a VA mental disorders examination to assess the nature and extent of any diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The examiner will also be asked to determine if the appellant's headaches, weight loss, diminished sex drive, or sleep disorder are due to undiagnosed illness.,The RO will attempt to verify the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD and schedule a VA mental disorders examination to assess the nature and extent of any diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The examiner will also be asked to determine if the appellant's headaches, weight loss, diminished sex drive, or sleep disorder are due to undiagnosed illness.,The RO will attempt to verify the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD and schedule a VA mental disorders examination to assess the nature and extent of any diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The examiner will also be asked to determine if the appellant's headaches, weight loss, diminished sex drive, or sleep disorder are due to undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claims for migraine headaches and a back disorder, as well as his claim for service connection for passive-aggressive personality disorder (schizotypal personality disorder). The RO determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied as she does not currently suffer from this condition. The claims for service connection for a headache disability and hypoglycemia are pending further evaluation.