Migraines & headaches decisions — 2007

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of brain trauma with headaches and dizziness do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including residuals of back injury and neck injury, are not related to his in-service automobile accident. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected headaches, residual of head injury with retained foreign bodies, is denied as there is no evidence of multi-infarct dementia or other conditions that would warrant an increased rating.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches prior to October 12, 2006 and denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches beginning October 12, 2006.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and initial disability ratings for degenerative spondylosis of the cervical spine at C5-6, migraine headaches, and residuals of a right thigh injury. The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated 20 percent disabling under DC 5290.

The veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated, and the RO has denied his claims for increased ratings. The effective dates of service connection are also denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the veteran's preexisting dizziness was aggravated during service and whether there are any current disabilities underlying his complaints of dizziness.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed migraine headaches are not related to military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for migraine headaches, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for migraines has been dismissed. The Board also found that the veteran does not have a current cervical spine disability or any other service-connected condition related to her neck pain, right arm pain, and numbness in the right hand.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings, a separate evaluation, and service connection were denied. The claim to reopen his reactive depression was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and chronic headaches, finding no clinical basis to link these conditions with his period of military service.

The veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,His asthma is also rated at 30 percent. The veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to warrant a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic low back pain was granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective from May 17, 1998.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his head injury and any associated psychiatric impairment.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a chronic headache disability incurred or aggravated during service and denied his claims for service connection. His claim for tinnitus was also denied as there is no legal basis to assign separate evaluations.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his headaches was denied. Prior to October 14, 2004, the VA determined that a rating in excess of 10 percent was not warranted due to insufficient evidence of prostrating attacks. Since October 14, 2004, the VA found no basis to grant a higher rating as his headaches did not meet the criteria for very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss disability and bilateral hip disorder. The decision also addressed a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss.

The veteran's service records do not show any diagnosed respiratory, knee, ankle, arthritis, urinary tract infection, low back strain, eye condition, migraine headaches, or stomach conditions. The VA examinations and treatment records also did not provide evidence of these conditions during the appeal period. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has granted a 50% disability rating for the veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, finding that they are very frequent and severely impact her ability to work. The 10% disability rating for complex regional pain syndrome of the left foot remains unchanged.