Migraines & headaches decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between any current disabilities and his military service.

The veteran's maxillary sinusitis, migraine headaches, patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, and cervicitis/dysplasia have been rated based on their current manifestations. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The veteran's service-connected scar, residuals of a shell fragment wound, right thigh, is now rated as noncompensable. The scar at the back of his head remains noncompensable. His service-connected shell fragment wounds are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling each. Headaches are also rated as 10 percent disabling. Service connection for a right knee disorder has been granted.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a skin disorder and cluster/migraine headaches. The RO denied these claims, but the case is being remanded to obtain a medical nexus opinion regarding possible causation of the conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen them.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no current chronic disabilities and insufficient evidence to support the claims.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected basovestibular migraines were rated at 10 percent prior to January 1, 2001 and granted a rating of 30 percent effective from January 1, 2001.

The Board has received notification that the appellant wishes to withdraw his appeal. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hematuria, bilateral eye disability, hypertension, headaches (claimed as secondary to a low back disability), and numbness of the fingers (claimed as secondary to a low back disability) have all been denied. The only competent opinion on the question of medical nexus confirms that none of these conditions are related to his service.,The veteran was granted service connection for a low back disability, but this does not affect the denial of the other claims.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is likely due to noise exposure during military service. The issues of service connection for headaches and hearing loss are remanded for further development.

The veteran's vasomotor rhinitis, including headaches and sinus congestion, is evaluated at a 30 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Sinusitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, fatigue, hair loss, lower extremity numbness, dry mouth, night sweats, painful joints, and migraine headaches. The decision found no current manifestations of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's migraine headaches are of service origin and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of current residuals of heat stroke or headaches related to military service and denied the veteran's claim.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for VCAA notification and additional development of evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for payment of unauthorized medical expenses incurred on March 7, 2002 due to lack of feasibility of VA facilities being available at that time.

The veteran's diabetes and related symptoms, including headaches and dizziness, are being reviewed due to new evidence submitted by the appellant. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and failure to provide proper VCAA notice. The veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, dizziness, swelling of hands, loss of energy, and pressure as secondary to his service-connected hypertension is on appeal along with a request for an increased evaluation for hypertension.

The VA granted a higher rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, effective July 9, 2003.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.