Migraines & headaches decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, a right wrist disorder, or migraine headaches that are service-connected.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his claims. The RO will schedule a hearing, issue statements of the case on certain issues, and return the case to the Board after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and providing proper notification to the veteran.

The VA has denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, as there is no evidence of marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board found that the veteran's posttraumatic headaches and tinnitus were not related to his service, including boxing activities in service.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee and leg conditions, vitiligo of the groin and penis, and headaches/dizziness were not service-connected. The veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher disability evaluation in any issue.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and dizziness, finding no new and material evidence to support reopening of these previously denied claims.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of head wound trauma, finding that the symptoms are not sufficient to warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development of the medical record is necessary due to conflicting opinions and requires a neurology examination.

The veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and his migraine headaches are rated at 10 percent. The claims for higher ratings are granted.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for tinnitus and a headache disorder, finding no credible evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches are not related to his military service or his service-connected thoracic spine disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and COPD, but granted service connection for headaches and a psychiatric disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and bilateral numbness and weakness of the legs as secondary to her service-connected hypothyroidism, finding no competent medical evidence showing that these conditions were caused or worsened by her service-connected condition.

The veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for his service-connected bilateral CSR was denied. The Board found that the veteran's vision loss is not related to his service-connected CSR and thus does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating. Service connection for a psychiatric disorder and headaches, claimed as secondary to his service-connected CSR, was also denied due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service or his service-connected eye disability.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating prior to May 20, 2002 and a rating greater than 30 percent from May 20, 2002 through February 23, 2005 for his migraine headaches are being remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids and prostatitis, as well as his attempt to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for migraine headaches. The RO found that the veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The veteran's death was caused by congestive heart failure due to cardiomyopathy, which is not service-connected. The appellant did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 or Chapter 35 educational assistance.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches was denied by the Board. The evidence did not show that her migraines met or approximated the criteria for a higher evaluation.