Migraines & headaches decisions — 2005

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, effective from April 17, 2001. This is based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her residuals of head injury, currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence did not support a higher rating as there was no diagnosis linking her migraines to her service-connected residuals of head injury and no neurological disability associated with brain trauma.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and an organic mental disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and headaches. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that a TDIU was warranted within one year prior to January 22, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current eye and headache disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disability (COPD) and headaches, finding no evidence of exposure to herbicides or other causative factors in the veteran's service records.

The veteran's appeals for higher initial evaluation of PTSD and service connection for headaches with blurred vision on a secondary basis were dismissed due to the lack of timely appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in the case, including obtaining VA medical records from 1992 and scheduling an orthopedic examination to determine the current nature and etiology of any claimed left shoulder and left knee disorders.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and declined to reopen the claim of entitlement to headaches secondary to a head injury. The veteran did not have a current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, and there was no evidence of chronic or recurrent headaches in service.

The Board found that the veteran's service records do not show any complaints, symptoms, findings or diagnoses related to a head injury. The preponderance of evidence is against his claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury.

The veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for his service-connected headaches was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in June 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed post-traumatic and post-heat exposure headaches were not incurred or aggravated in service, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during active duty or otherwise related to such service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The veteran's appeal is for an increased evaluation of his service-connected skull fracture residuals, including cognitive problems, anxiety, loss of memory, and headaches. The VA has ordered further examinations to determine the exact nature and extent of these residuals.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot numbness due to aggravation by active duty. Service connection for chronic headaches is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected residuals of a cerebral concussion with headaches and cervical strain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board found that the veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss disability for service connection purposes and denied his claim.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, insomnia, TMJ, dark urine disorder, Chlamydia, and headaches on a direct basis. The skin disorder was not found to be related to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his post-traumatic headaches and left ankle disability, finding that a rating higher than 10 percent is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches do not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, and thus denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.