Migraines & headaches decisions — 2007

The veteran's migraine headaches increased in frequency to more than one a month, causing her to miss several partial or whole days of work per month resulting in severe economic inadaptability. The Board has determined that the disability picture during the period from September 5, 1994, to September 7, 2001, more nearly approximated the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to evaluate the veteran's migraine headaches. The claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions (depression, headaches, weakness of upper and lower extremities, shortness of breath) related to his service-connected cervical paravertebral myofasciitis. Therefore, these claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder and frostbite of the hands and feet have been denied. The veteran was granted initial compensable evaluations (0% from June 1, 2002 to November 25, 2002; 10% since November 26, 2002) for his service-connected impingement syndrome of the right shoulder.

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

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease are being remanded to the RO due to procedural issues. The erectile dysfunction claim is also being remanded.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches do not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of 50% as they are not characterized by very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for depression, reopened claims for service connection for various conditions including irritable bowel syndrome and bilateral polyneuropathy of the legs, and denied other issues.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a 30 percent initial evaluation for the veteran's service-connected status post C5-6 sublaxation fracture, with fusion at C4-7, with residual limitation of motion of the cervical spine and occipital headaches.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they were not related to active military service or undiagnosed illness.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left leg and migraine headaches have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The other issues on appeal were also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin rash - tinea versicolor were denied. The claim for skin rash - tinea pedis and onychomycosis was granted based on evidence of current disability related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as right eye trauma and bilateral leg disability. The veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for headaches, as there is no evidence of a current condition that can be linked to the in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing medical records from various doctors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, but with noncompensable ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, chronic headaches, chronic sinusitis, and chronic bronchitis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her migraine headaches was granted, with a current rating of 50 percent.,The veteran's right maxillary sinusitis resulted in cysts or polyps and is currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's chronic right fronto-orbital headaches are currently rated at 30 percent since September 27, 2005. Prior to that date, the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and allergies, as well as his claim for an increased rating for hiatal hernia. The evidence did not support a finding of a nexus between any current conditions and the veteran's active service.