Migraines & headaches decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diagnosed conditions for which service connection can be granted, including cold injury residuals of the hands and feet, a back disorder, an ankle disorder, headaches, or a skin disorder. The claims are denied.

The Board has determined that further action is required to comply with the VA's duty to assist in the development of the veteran's claim, including obtaining an adequate VA examination for her claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including right ear hearing loss, bilateral knee condition, bilateral ankle condition, and headaches. The claims are therefore denied.

The veteran's disabilities, including his service-connected eye disorders and bilateral hearing loss, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board granted a 10 percent evaluation for arthritis of the left foot and reopened the claim for service connection for headaches. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the existence and etiology of any currently manifested neck disorder, back disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral arm disorders, post-traumatic headaches, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date, finding that the January 1985 rating decision is final and does not contain CUE. The June 1997 grant of service-connected benefits was based on new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The Board denied an increased rating for headaches, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on the current criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for his service-connected headache disorder, finding that the current rating adequately reflects the severity and impact of his condition.

The veteran's headaches, epigastric pain, multiple joint pain, and fatigue are manifestations of his service-connected fibromyalgia. Therefore, these conditions cannot be separately service connected.

The veteran's PTSD was granted a 100% disability rating effective December 11, 2001. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected post-traumatic headaches do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of multi-infarct dementia or other neurological impairment associated with brain trauma.

The veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and loss of balance secondary to Agent Orange exposure have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing these conditions are due to such exposure.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the submission of additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for headaches with blurred vision, sensitivity to the ears and scalp, and hand tremors. The effective date claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing compensable headaches prior to July 2, 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic headaches and the issue of service connection for residuals of a left leg injury is remanded for further development.

The veteran's claimed conditions, including sinusitis, headaches, blurred vision, deviated nasal septum, and a neck disorder are not service-connected as they were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches, claimed as due to undiagnosed illness from service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War, were not incurred or aggravated by active duty and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete notice and potential missing medical records. The veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU are now pending.

The veteran's service connection claim for headaches is granted as the condition began during active duty. The claim for irregular menstrual cycles is denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed condition that resulted from service.