Migraines & headaches decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and cluster/migraine headaches, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected headaches, which were diagnosed as muscle tension headaches associated with neck pain, met the schedular criteria for an initial 10 percent rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and other issues were denied. Additional development is needed to address the claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with VA examinations to determine his current conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The specific issues of increased disability rating and TDIU are pending.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, tinea pedis (skin rash and peeling skin of both hands and feet), deviated septum, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and insomnia. The veteran's service records show that he experienced stressors related to his service in Southwest Asia, including exposure to enemy combat situations and witnessing the deaths of fellow soldiers.

The veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for chronic headaches is remanded due to incomplete notification and lack of a VA examination. The RO must ensure all relevant evidence is obtained, including VA records from April 2003 onwards, and provide the veteran with an opportunity to respond before readjudicating the case.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation due to the need for updated medical records and an orthopedic/neurological examination to assess his current level of disability.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and spondylosis of cervical spine with degenerative disc disease, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active duty.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for PTSD due to new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further development, including verification of combat exposure and examination by a psychiatrist.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, headaches, and dizziness. Service connection is established for PTSD and a scar in the right eyebrow as residuals of an eye injury. The claim for residuals of a neck injury is denied due to lack of evidence of current disability.

The veteran's migraine headaches more nearly approximate characteristic prostrating attacks on a weekly basis, but the attacks are not prolonged and are not productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Board finds that the criteria for a 30 percent rating have been met.

The Board found that the veteran's migraine headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as they have been attributed to a diagnosed condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an examination to assess the severity of his service-connected tension headaches with cervical pain and whether he experiences prostrating attacks.

The Board found no current migraine headaches, denied service connection for postoperative cancer of the left breast due to mild residual swelling and euthyroid status for hyperthyroidism.

The VA determined that the veteran's chronic exertional headaches, which are related to his service-connected heatstroke/heat injuries, do not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The veteran's service-connected vascular migraine headaches warrant a 30 percent evaluation.,Service connection is granted for chronic fatigue syndrome with sleep disorder and blurred vision, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness. The veteran does not have loss of appetite or weight loss.,Service connection is not warranted for loss of appetite and weight loss.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial disability ratings have been denied. The left ankle injury with traumatic arthritis remains at a 10% rating, while the right shoulder strain is rated at 10%. Other conditions remain at their current assigned ratings.

The Board has denied service connection for headaches and granted a 10 percent initial rating for left knee disability, finding no underlying pathology for the headaches and noting current limitations in range of motion.