Migraines & headaches decisions — 2007

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed head injuries, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service injury and noting that the headaches were not linked to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for chronic headache, finding no new and material evidence.

The Board found no current disabilities involving residuals of a head injury or headaches, and thus denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The veteran's Meniere's disease, headaches (presumed due to hypertension), left ventricular disorder, and urinary frequency were all found to be related to his service-connected hypertension.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing and additional procedural steps regarding new issues on appeal. The original claims of service connection for various conditions remain under review.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinosinusitis with epistaxis and headaches as secondary to allergic rhinosinusitis.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for the claimed head injury, lumbar spine injury, or cervical spine injury. The veteran's complaints and diagnoses were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including proper VCAA notice regarding a higher disability rating for PTSD and an effective date. The claim for service connection for headaches is also being remanded to obtain an opinion from the VA examiner.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hemorrhoids, fatigue, dizziness, a kidney disorder, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder due to undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between active duty and these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for cervical strain, thoracolumbar strain, tension headaches, and right knee retropatellar pain syndrome as there was no evidence of functional impairment or significant disability in any of these conditions.

The veteran's claims for hypothyroidism, sensory axonal polyneuropathy of the lower extremities, bunions, plantars warts, migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, shin splints, and left shoulder anthralgia were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a torn right knee lateral meniscus and granted it. The veteran is also awarded service connection for tinnitus, which was incurred during active service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a heart condition, and headaches. The claim for an increased rating for thoracic spine disability was also denied as there is no evidence showing that the veteran had any limitation of motion or abnormal spinal contour prior to April 7, 2004.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine strain and headaches. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claims for post-operative pilonidal cyst residuals, epidermatophytosis of the feet, hearing loss disability, sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, a psychophysiological nervous system reaction evidenced by hyperhidrosis, hives, and recurrent headaches, and an eye disorder to include open angle glaucoma. The RO has determined that new and material evidence was not presented for reopening claims for post-operative pilonidal cyst residuals and epidermatophytosis of the feet.

The Board denied all service connection claims and increased rating claims, finding that the veteran did not meet the criteria for any of the conditions listed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and asthma. The decision found that there was no current diagnosis of sleep apnea or a causal relationship between the veteran's service-connected nasal disability and his migraine headaches or asthma.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and granted a 30% rating for combined tension/migraine headaches effective January 4, 2007. The veteran's headaches have been characterized by prostrating attacks occurring at least once a month since February 25, 2005.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, which meets the criteria for such a rating based on characteristic prostrating attacks occurring two to three times per week.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.