Migraines & headaches decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to procedural issues, including the need for VCAA-compliant notice and additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, migraine headaches, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Board found that these conditions did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board. No compensable evaluation was granted for migraine headaches, and no new evidence of a chronic condition related to his military service was found for other conditions such as viral syndrome/viral gastritis, lymphadenopathy and swollen glands, chest disability, stress, emotional problems, rashes (presumably due to asbestos exposure), dehydration, urinary trouble, blurred vision, breathing trouble (presumably due to asbestos exposure), or hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and right knee disability, but granted a 20 percent rating for her right knee disability. The claim for seborrheic dermatitis remains pending.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD related to in-service stressors, and thus denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The claims for schizophrenia and headaches are remanded.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disability and concluded that the veteran's headaches are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, chronic bronchitis, recurrent tinnitus, ingrown toenails, major depressive disorder, temporomandibular joint syndrome, and residuals of avulsion fracture of the right distal fibula/tibia. The appeals are based on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including headaches, rhinitis, sleep disorder, and cervical degenerative disc disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA neurology examination and consideration of all submitted evidence.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches and denied service connection for Bell's palsy.

The veteran's migraine headaches are manifested by very frequent and prostrating attacks that are productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50% evaluation.

The Board found that any current Mônière's disease was not caused or chronically worsened by the veteran's service-connected conditions, including chronic bilateral otitis media or externa, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness/vertigo associated with chronic bilateral otitis media or externa, and headaches. Therefore, service connection for Mônière's disease is not established.

Prior to March 7, 2007, the veteran's migraine cephalgia was controlled with medication and not prostrating.,Since March 7, 2007, the veteran's migraine cephalgia is productive of prostrating headaches occurring on average three times a week.

The veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 10 percent, effective January 27, 2004. The Board found no evidence of a current skin rash or sinusitis that was manifest during active service or developed as a result of an established event, injury, or disease during active service. Right and left foot calluses were also not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's hearing acuity is rated at Level II in the right ear and Level IV in the left ear, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.,The veteran's service-connected GERD with esophagitis does not meet the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation due to less severe symptoms such as pain, vomiting, material weight loss, hematemesis or melena, and moderate anemia.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and migraine headaches do not warrant higher initial evaluations.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected headaches, which were previously rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has granted a higher initial evaluation of 70 percent for the veteran's PTSD, effective from March 31, 2005. Service connection for migraine headaches was also granted.