Migraines & headaches decisions — 2005

The VA has granted an initial rating of 10 percent for the veteran's migraine headaches, effective from August 2, 2002. Prior to this date, the veteran had frequent but not incapacitating headaches.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a diagnosed chronic headache disability related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected post-traumatic headaches and additional evidentiary development as per the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and considering additional evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and to provide the veteran with an examination to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of her migraine headaches and maxillary sinusitis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches. The claim for a nervous disorder remains denied as no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if the veteran was exposed to mustard gas in Bari, Italy during December 1943 and whether he developed any conditions related to that exposure. The appellant believes her husband's death may have been caused by his mustard gas exposure.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, arthritis of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine, and arthritis of the knees. The veteran's migraine headaches, total abdominal hysterectomy, tarsal tunnel syndrome (right foot), tarsal tunnel syndrome (left foot), and chronic urinary tract infections were all found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that a medical examination is necessary to determine the exact nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed left shoulder and headache disorders, as well as the current severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected pain disorder with major depression and migraine headaches, effective as of April 28, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for swelling of the brain, migraine headaches, and a seizure disorder. The evidence did not support these conditions as being incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine if the veteran's current back disability and head injury residuals are related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches and chronic cervical strain are related to injuries sustained in a 1958 motor vehicle accident during service, granting his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation beyond the current 30 percent rating.

The veteran's migraine headaches are manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks that are productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50% schedular evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing at the RO. The issues of increased rating for tension headaches and compensable rating for left ring finger disability are pending.

The veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches with vertigo and loss of balance, and for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his arachnoiditis are being remanded to the RO for further development. The veteran also submitted a timely notice of disagreement on his claim for a higher rating for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to lack of independent corroboration of the claimed in-service stressors.,Service connection was also denied for gall bladder disease and headaches as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The veteran's service-connected psychophysiologic musculoskeletal reaction is rated at 30 percent, and he does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.