Migraines & headaches decisions — 2006

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the appellant's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The other claims are remanded due to incomplete records and unclear medical opinions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic headaches was received within one year of his separation from service, and the Board has granted an effective date of August 22, 1970.

The veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The initial evaluations for COPD remain unchanged.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, finding no current diagnosis of a headache disorder and noting that there is no evidence linking his headaches to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed residuals of a cerebral vascular accident and migraine headaches are not service-connected as they were not present in service or within one year thereafter, and there is no evidence linking them to his active duty.

The Board found that the veteran's current low back, migraine headaches, and cervical spine disabilities are not causally related to her active service or any incident therein.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the case can be properly adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is established, granting her special monthly pension based on this need.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and headaches, finding that the conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of October 18, 2001, for the award of service connection for migraine headaches.

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a head injury with headaches and memory loss, left ear hearing loss, and residuals of a left ankle fracture. The rating for residuals of a head injury was found to be appropriate at 10 percent, effective from November 15, 1994. The rating for left ear hearing loss remains noncompensable. For the period beginning July 26, 2000, the veteran's service-connected left ankle disability is rated as 20 percent disabling.

The veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness are denied. The Board found that the veteran's current cardiovascular disability of hypertension is not related to his military service, and other disabilities are attributed to known diagnoses or unrelated to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a neurological disorder, back disorder, urinary tract disorder, eye disorder, prostate disorder, vertigo, PTSD, dysthymic disorder, and headaches. The denial is based on the presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure to herbicide agents used in Vietnam.

The Board has denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including chronic fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, respiratory problems, heart disorder, gastrointestinal disorders, weight fluctuation and metabolic disorder, eye disorders, a cyst on the left testicle, and headaches. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded the case due to the intertwining of service connection for headaches with hypertension, and a VA medical opinion is needed to determine if current headaches are related to hypertension or an in-service automobile accident.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of increased rating for PTSD and entitlement to TDIU due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The veteran was not granted service connection for a headache condition, hypertension, low back disability, cervical spine disability, shoulder disability, or left ear hearing loss.

The veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for service-connected migraine headaches has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and found that the veteran's left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.