Migraines & headaches decisions — 2004

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and disability manifested by upper back pain, finding that these conditions were incurred during the veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the veteran's current skin disability and headaches, as well as his military service. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant records from VA and non-VA health care providers, including those from Drs. Bishop and Murthy.

The veteran's migraines are rated at 30 percent, the maximum available under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected migraine headaches do not warrant a disability rating in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various manifestations of an undiagnosed illness were denied on the merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 21, 1993 for a 30 percent rating for post-concussive syndrome with post traumatic headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left hamstring injury and found that the veteran's current left hamstring impairment is likely due to his military service. The issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches remains pending, as further examination is needed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, headaches, and a low back condition must be remanded due to incomplete information provided by the veteran regarding his alleged stressors in service. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The VA determined that the veteran's residuals of head trauma, including mild dementia and headaches, warrant a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's migraine headaches more nearly approximate the criteria for a 30 percent rating, as they cause characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over the last several months.

The veteran's post-traumatic headaches are granted as service-connected due to head trauma sustained during active duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection were all granted, with the exception of those concerning a bilateral hand and wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including examinations and review of evidence to determine if the veteran's symptoms are related to his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Board has granted a 50% evaluation for PTSD, denied an increased rating for seizure disorder, and found that the veteran's headaches warrant a separate 10% evaluation. The veteran's PTSD is rated based on its impact on his occupational and social functioning.

The Board finds that the veteran's headache disability and coronary disease are aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, warranting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and unverified service dates. The appellant is required to provide additional evidence, including medical records from March 2000 to March 2002, and a VA examination to determine if her current headaches are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for dysthymia and depression, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's service. The other issues on appeal have been resolved.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including review of new rating criteria for spine and intervertebral disc syndrome.