Migraines & headaches decisions — 2007

The Board found no current residuals of a right hand and thumb injury, thus denying service connection for this condition. Service connection was also denied for depression due to lack of competent evidence showing its onset during service or being related to service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for laxity, lateral ligaments of the right ankle was denied. The effective date for his service connection for migraine headaches is March 6, 2000.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO granted a 20% rating for bilateral hearing loss, but denied the rest of his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and assigned a noncompensable rating effective April 30, 1998. The veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied as of January 6, 2003. Service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The veteran's endometriosis was rated at 30 percent prior to May 12, 2005 and reduced to noncompensable effective May 12, 2005 due to a total abdominal hysterectomy. The veteran's tension headaches are currently rated as 10 percent disabling.,The veteran's sinusitis is not productive of the required symptoms for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed lower back disorder, neck disorder, left eye condition, and migraine disorder were not incurred or aggravated during service. The preexisting conditions are presumed to be sound upon entry into service.

The veteran's allergies are considered service-connected due to their onset during his military service.,There is no evidence of a current right ankle disability, and the claim for this issue is denied.,Service connection has been granted for migraines with an initial evaluation of 30 percent effective April 5, 2005. The veteran's migraines are not shown to meet criteria for a higher rating prior to that date.,The service-connected right knee disability results in slight limitation of flexion and no instability or weakness.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current headaches are related to service or any service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claims for separate disability ratings for facial scars and service connection for chronic sinusitis with headaches were denied. The effective date of the awards was set at October 27, 2003.

The veteran's right knee disorder and headaches are found to be due to undiagnosed illnesses incurred during service. The tinnitus claim is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected chronic headaches, lumbosacral strain/sprain, and postoperative neck and facial scars. The veteran's headaches are characterized by daily occurrences with some light and sound sensitivity but no nausea or visual aura. His lumbosacral strain is limited to flexion of 70 degrees, extension of 20 degrees, lateral flexion and rotation each to 20 degrees without muscle spasm, guarding, or list. The scars are disfiguring with a total length of 6.5 cm, hyperpigmented, tender, and not adherent, ulcerated, depressed, elevated, or adherent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected psychophysiological reaction manifested by tension headaches warrants a 50 percent evaluation, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's migraine headache disorder and major depressive disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to the veteran's service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to respond to requests for information and evidence essential for proper adjudication of his claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to unclear evidence of his employability status and the need for a VA examination to assess his current employment capacity.

The Board found no evidence of permanent residuals from the veteran's head injury in service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the claims folder may be incomplete and requires further action to confirm service dates, obtain medical records, and provide the veteran with appropriate examinations. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the claims for increase for headaches, depression, residuals of a left clavicle fracture, and left elbow neuropathy due to additional development being needed.