Migraines & headaches decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the veteran and an upcoming appointment at a VA medical center.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including headaches, weakness and fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and multiple joint pain, were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations. The issues of service connection for PTSD and chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, memory loss, blurred vision, joint aches, insomnia, and depression are being addressed.

The veteran's service-connected conditions include GERD, headaches, a low back condition, and a psychiatric disorder. The Board granted service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence of their onset during active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a deviated nasal septum and headaches, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish direct service connection or any other theory of service connection.

The veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, hypertension, and post-traumatic headaches have been dismissed as the veteran withdrew his appeal in January 2004.

The veteran's service-connected headaches were rated at 30 percent prior to May 29, 2002. A higher rating of more than 30 percent is not warranted.

The veteran's combined disability rating is in excess of 70 percent, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, headaches, diarrhea, fatigue, and left foot numbness are all granted. The claim for varicose veins of the legs is denied as not meeting the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a headache disorder, as claimed as secondary to his service-connected postgastrectomy syndrome. The evidence did not establish that the headaches were directly related to service or due to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder, residuals of a right ankle fracture, headaches, and hypertension are etiologically related to service. Therefore, these claims are granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for post traumatic headaches, finding no evidence of neurological disability or multi-infarct dementia. The service-connected condition is rated at its maximum schedular value.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disorder, PTSD, bronchitis, low back disorder, and headaches as a result of exposure to herbicides. The reasons included lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or to exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate VCAA notification and development of the evidence, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as any leave documentation from his employer.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess his migraine headaches and respiratory disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and chronic low back strain, finding that these conditions are attributable to service. The veteran's right knee disorder and asthma claims will be remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for a compensable disability evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 was denied as no basis exists for assignment of such based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and information from SSA.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical examination to determine if the veteran's headaches are as likely as not due to a facial injury in service.