Migraines & headaches decisions — 2007

The veteran's service-connected migraine and muscle tension headaches do not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, as the rating assigned already reflects this impairment. The Board finds that she does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on either schedular or extraschedular considerations.

The Board has vacated its previous decision and remand, as the veteran passed away before the issuance of the November 2006 decision/remand. The issues of service connection for an eye disability and a compensable rating for residuals of a right fifth metacarpal fracture are dismissed due to the veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development, including an examination to clarify diagnoses and provide opinions on whether or not his disabilities are related to service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a disorder affecting the great toes of the feet and remanded other issues. The new evidence includes VA treatment records, a March 2002 examination, and an August 2004 letter from the veteran's podiatrist.

The veteran's generalized anxiety disorder with headaches is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment due to symptoms such as flattened affect, impaired memory, and difficulty in establishing effective work and social relationships. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board granted the veteran's claim for service connection for scar tissue of the penis as secondary to his service-connected Reiter's syndrome. The claims for 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 benefits for headaches, neck pain, loss of balance, and bilateral knee pain were denied because they did not arise from VA care or treatment.

The veteran was found to be unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities as of November 13, 2000, and the effective date for TDIU is set at August 13, 2001.

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

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, including headaches and a neck injuries. The Board also granted service connection for these conditions based on evidence showing that the current disabilities are related to an in-service incident.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches and fatigue are not related to his service, and thus denied these claims.

The veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to the initial ratings for low back strain, right knee sprain, left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, and migraine headaches.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left temporal injury headaches, left fifth finger disability, and left temple region cicatrix as they did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hand disability and chronic headaches do not warrant compensable ratings. The appeal for service connection of meningioma is pending due to its reopening on new evidence.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting that his appeal be withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for migraine headaches, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking his current headaches to a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found no evidence of a current headache disorder, sinusitis or other residuals of blunt trauma to the nose that is etiologically related to service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's service-connected loss of feeling in the upper extremities is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum available rating under the applicable diagnostic code. The other conditions (headaches and fibromyalgia) are not entitled to higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including depressive disorder, vision disorders, headaches, and stomach disorders. The veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.