Migraines & headaches decisions — 2004

The Board has decided the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher initial rating for hemorrhoids. The veteran does not have current hearing loss, and her hemorrhoids are currently rated as 0 percent disabling based on their mild to moderate nature. The remaining issues must be remanded due to procedural errors.

The veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been denied. His lumbar strain and dysthymia have been granted with current ratings of 20% and 30%, respectively, but he is seeking higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches, body aches and pains, shaking spells, and chest pains are related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including notification under the VCAA and additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's headaches and dizziness.

The Board denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches and dizziness, as due to an undiagnosed illness related to service in the Southwest Asia theater during the Persian Gulf War. The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness, and concluded that the veteran's conditions were not related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, neck disorder, headaches, and skin rash due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic headaches are of service origin and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded to allow for additional development of his medical records, including those from private chiropractors and VA facilities. The RO will also determine the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disorders he may have.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed headache disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current headaches to any event during his active duty service.

The Board found no evidence of a concussion or skull fracture during service, and the post-service medical records do not support a causal relationship between current symptoms and in-service trauma. The veteran's headaches are diagnosed as tension headaches with no competent opinion linking them to service.

The veteran's headaches are related to service and granted service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple joint pain, hearing loss, headaches, a neck disorder, and a condition manifested by a low white blood cell count as there is no current medical diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches secondary to a deviated nasal septum and has also granted an increased evaluation of 10 percent for the veteran's deviated nasal septum.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further action, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and verifying stressors. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of these actions.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly pension based on aid and attendance/housebound status. The claim for service connection was denied due to lack of new and material evidence, while the claim for special monthly pension was denied as the veteran did not meet the criteria for either aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of September 17, 1998 for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has remanded the case back to the RO for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing. The veteran's appeal will be reconsidered after this additional evidence is processed.