Migraines & headaches decisions — 2005

The veteran's chronic headaches are found to have originated during his active military service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and PTSD, reopening his previously denied claims. The total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is still pending.

The veteran's combined service-connected rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the requirements for a TDIU based on schedular criteria. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the appellant did not incur tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, or migraine headaches due to any incident of active military service and denied these claims.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility on April 13, 2002 was denied because the VA did not provide prior authorization and there was no evidence that the respiratory problems constituted an emergency or that VA facilities were unavailable.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected migraine headaches is being remanded due to the need for VCAA compliance and a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran did not have fatigue, headaches, numbness of the hands, or chest pain due to an undiagnosed illness and denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, which is the maximum available under VA regulations. The issues of increased ratings for patellar tendonitis and right knee tendonitis are pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and to clarify the basis of his Social Security Administration disability benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches and sinusitis were incurred in service, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service and denied all claims.

The Board denied service connection for chronic headaches, finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus to service or any service-connected conditions.

The veteran's initial evaluations for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and posttraumatic headaches were both granted, with the latter being rated at a compensable level of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bowel impairment, bladder impairment, muscle atrophy, and chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to the veteran's service-connected hydrocephalus. The initial evaluations assigned are 50 percent each.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not indicate Guillain-Barré syndrome due to a swine flu vaccination, and his acquired psychiatric disorder, syphilis, right foot disability, and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service.

The veteran's migraine headaches were granted a 30 percent evaluation effective August 11, 2004. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 30 percent is still pending.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of her claims.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected cluster headaches is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a new examination.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed dental trauma and headaches were not incurred as a result of active service, nor as a result of a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including stressor verification and VA examination.