Migraines & headaches decisions — 2005

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic headache syndrome and residuals of fracture to the left zygomatico-maxillary complex are currently rated at their maximum allowable levels, with no further increase in rating possible.

The Board has denied an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board denied service connection for stomach, gallbladder, psychiatric, and headache disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of current disability in any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the current nature and likely etiology of the veteran's claimed residuals from a head injury, including headaches, seizures, and nosebleeds.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and an increased evaluation of 30 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The headaches are found to be related to service, while the GERD is evaluated based on its current manifestations.

The Board granted service connection for chronic posttraumatic encephalopathy with PTSD and post-traumatic headaches, but denied any increase in disability rating beyond the initial 10 percent from May 8, 2000 to June 16, 2003. The veteran's condition was rated at 50 percent effective as of June 17, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of August 3, 2000 for his TDIU rating due to lack of factual ascertainability prior to that date.

The veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for a scar of the chin and face has been withdrawn. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches is remanded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-concussion syndrome with migraine headaches and schizophrenia, both secondary to blunt head trauma in service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected post-traumatic headaches with dizziness, left arachnoid cyst, and tremors of the right hand and right foot.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records from Social Security Administration.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing and further development as requested by the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches due to head trauma do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as there is no evidence of multi-infarct dementia. The current 10 percent rating remains in effect.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left shoulder separation and headaches have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to active service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have an undiagnosed illness manifested by fatigue, a skin rash, headaches, joint pain, muscle twitching, and a sleep disturbance. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's headache disorder.

The veteran's migraine headaches, hypertension with mild hypertensive cardiovascular disease, and residuals of subcortical strokes are currently rated at the maximum schedular ratings. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted on an extra-schedular basis for any of these conditions.

The veteran has withdrawn her appeal regarding the increased ratings for lumbosacral spine strain and migraine headaches. The appeal is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychological disorder did not result from treatment with LSD-25 by VA in 1967, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The veteran's headaches are manifested by no more than attacks lasting no longer than three hours, which are relieved by analgesics and rest and occur no more frequently than four times a week. The criteria for the assignment of a rating in excess of 30 percent for the service-connected headaches have not been met.