Migraines & headaches decisions — 2004

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The headaches claim is denied as the evidence does not show characteristic prostrating attacks, while the low back and neck disability claims are based on the current rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, shoulder disorder (unspecified), neck disorder, and left ear hearing loss. The Board also found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen claims of service connection for headaches and hypertension. Additionally, the Board denied a claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and a claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for intraocular imbalance with cataracts and hypertension, head injury with residual headaches, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's claim is currently pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her posttraumatic headaches as there is no evidence of multi-infarct dementia associated with her brain trauma and her headaches are not prostrating in nature. The current 10% disability evaluation under Diagnostic Code 8045-9304 is appropriate.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches and visual disability were incurred during his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining SSA records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple sclerosis and dementia, have resulted in a level of incapacity consistent with loss of use of both feet. Therefore, SMC based on loss of use of both feet is granted.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate reasons and bases used in the analysis of his PTSD claim, as well as other service connection claims. The case will be returned to the Board after further evidentiary development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to determine the existence and etiology of her claimed conditions, including service connection for residuals of a head injury with headaches, PTSD, incontinence, and chronic cervicitis.

The veteran's PTSD and migraine headaches were found to be disabling, but not at the levels required for a higher rating. The TDIU claim was granted based on her service-connected disabilities preventing her from obtaining or maintaining employment.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for a low back disorder and headaches due to insufficient development, including the need for VA examinations.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a neck disorder, headache disorder, heart disorder, chest disorder, hemorrhoids, and bilateral knee condition. The RO found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disorders, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral hallux valgus.

The Board found that the veteran's current headache disorder is not service-connected and denied his claim.

The Board granted service connection for an arachnoid cyst with headaches and blackouts, secondary to a service-connected scalp laceration. The effective date is set at October 2, 1974, the day following separation from active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, a sleep disorder, and musculoskeletal disabilities of his lower extremities. The appeals for reopening claims regarding headache disorder, low back disability, and psychiatric disability (PTSD) were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and/or notification action.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a head injury including a seizure disorder and also denied reopening the claim for service connection for headaches. The veteran's pre-existing history of headaches was not shown to have been aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the October 1998 RO decision. The VA will seek to obtain all relevant medical records, including those from prior to service, to determine if any current headache disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus grants a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the applications to reopen previously denied claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, right and left knee disorders, cluster migraine headaches, and chronic fatigue. The evidence received since the previous decisions was not new and material.