Migraines & headaches decisions — 2005

The veteran's claim for an initial schedular rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches has been denied. The RO assigned a maximum 50 percent evaluation, effective from January 25, 2002.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and her military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ear hearing loss, right ankle disability, headaches, and residuals of head trauma. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's migraine headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and residuals of head trauma with dizziness and headaches, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have right shoulder impingement syndrome and his headaches do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's fibromyalgia is granted with a rating of 40 percent, while his sinusitis and dermatological conditions are denied. The veteran's sleep apnea and obstructive lung disease were not found to be service-connected.

The Board found that arthritis of the back was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied the claim. The issue of headaches is addressed separately.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a heart condition, and a headache condition. The veteran's schizophrenia was found to be not proximately caused by or due to any service-connected disability. His heart condition and headache were also not shown to have been incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a service-connected lumbar spine disorder, tinnitus, headache disorder, skin disorder, or PTSD. The evidence is insufficient to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board granted the veteran a 100% rating for his service-connected schizophrenia effective from July 17, 1998. The ratings for cervical syringomyelia and tension headaches were also granted.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches were caused by her service-connected cervical spine disability, and her depression was incurred in service. The skin rash, lower abdominal condition and nausea, and fatigue, fever, and chills are not service connected.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to substantiate the veteran's claims, including obtaining verification of stressors and any necessary medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran sustained a laceration of the head in service and has current residuals, including headaches, restless leg syndrome, and sleeplessness. However, these conditions are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his service.

The veteran was granted service connection for mixed headaches with myofacial and migrainous components and degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine effective April 7, 2003.

The veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been productive of very frequent prostrating and prolonged attacks, meeting the criteria for a 50 percent rating since the effective date of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and Social Security Administration records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and an increased evaluation for migraine headaches with diplopia and esotropia and history of lateral rectus palsy, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between current CTS and service, and that his migraines did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, headaches, and nasoseptal deviation. However, the ratings for the veteran's knee disabilities remain unchanged.