Migraines & headaches decisions — 2007

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection is denied for the remaining conditions.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected tension headaches with cervical pain, finding that his headaches do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The veteran's posttraumatic migraine headaches are currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, which is the highest possible under VA guidelines.,Both his right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 20 percent each. The current ratings for both knees do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disability due to headaches that was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent.,The veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease with Barrett's esophagus is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if current migraines are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and denied increased evaluations for plantar wart residuals of the right and left feet. The veteran's complaints were not supported by objective medical evidence, and his claims were based on unsubstantiated self-reported symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the veteran's diagnosed mood disorder is related to head trauma sustained in service.

The Board found that the veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus was not substantiated, and denied his claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches as there is no evidence of prostrating attacks.

The veteran's cervical spine and headaches disorders were not incurred during service.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's service connection claim for a low back injury and migraines was granted, but his initial rating for cervical spine disability remains at 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, depression with anxiety, and headaches are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's motion to revise or reverse a September 1996 decision that denied an earlier effective date for service connection for chronic headaches, finding no clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his muscle tension headaches, service connection for brain damage and erectile dysfunction were denied. The appeals to reopen claims for diabetes mellitus type II and dysthymia were also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining service department certifications of active duty periods and seeking medical records from civilian physicians. The veteran's hypertension and migraines will be evaluated by VA examiners.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding her claimed cervical spine injury, migraine headaches, depression, and left side numbness and tingling. The Board will determine if these conditions are related to her military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extension of her period of eligibility for receiving educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, Title 38, United States Code (Montgomery GI Bill) beyond September 24, 2004 due to a lack of medical evidence showing that she was prevented from initiating or completing a program of education during the delimiting period.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability is being remanded as the medical evidence does not clearly establish that his service-connected chronic headaches alone render him unemployable.

The veteran's headaches are not shown to be related to his active duty service and are not considered a manifestation of undiagnosed illness. The anterior communicating artery aneurysm and left middle cerebral artery aneurysm are also not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for neck pain and muscle tension headaches are granted, but his claims for right hip condition and right hand condition are denied.