Migraines & headaches decisions — 2007

The veteran's migraines are not rated higher than 30 percent.,Prior to May 31, 2002, the veteran's degenerative disc disease was not rated higher than 20 percent. From May 31, 2002, forward, his condition has been rated at 20 percent.,From August 7, 2004, forward, the veteran's left leg radiculopathy has been rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for bleeding gums, hair loss, and headaches as not related to active service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied service connection for muscle pain, neurological symptoms (excluding headaches), mood swings, skin rashes, and menstrual disorders due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, prostate disability, and skin disability are denied due to lack of a confirmed stressor or diagnosis. The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of gonorrhea is denied as there is no medical evidence linking the condition to service. The veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, GERD, left ankle disability, neck disability, and Tietze's syndrome are denied due to lack of a current diagnosis or competent medical evidence linking the conditions to service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for headaches and TDIU were denied as his service-connected condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or render him unemployable.

The veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, the maximum under the rating criteria. The Board denied an extraschedular rating and found that his TDIU claim is not warranted due to his unemployability being primarily caused by nonservice-connected psychiatric conditions.

The veteran's conversion reaction is currently rated at 30 percent, and a separate rating for headaches has been denied. The RO continues to deny service connection for residuals of head trauma.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headache disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is not proximately due to or the result of service-connected residuals of a scalp laceration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, low back disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, migraine headaches, tinnitus, and a disability manifested by vertigo, were not incurred or aggravated during his period of active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for various service-connected conditions and increased ratings.,The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his service connection for postoperative residuals of left knee surgery, with arthritis of the left knee.,The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his service connection for right knee arthritis with chronic right knee pain.,The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his service connection for disc herniation at L3-4.,The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his service connection for post-traumatic headaches.,The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his service connection for tinnitus.,The veteran seeks a higher rating for PTSD, specifically seeking an earlier effective date for the 100 percent evaluation.,The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation based on housebound status.,The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for Dependents' Assistance Allowance under 38 U.S.C.A. Chapter 35.,The veteran seeks increased ratings for his service-connected conditions, including disc herniation at L3-4 and post-traumatic headaches.,The veteran seeks a higher rating for right knee arthritis with chronic right knee pain.,The veteran seeks an increased (compensable) rating for the scar near the right eyebrow.,The veteran seeks an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a chronic migraine headache disorder or any traumatic brain injury residuals attributable to military service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's left shoulder tendonitis is rated at 20 percent disabling since January 28, 2004. The other conditions are either not compensable or have been granted increased ratings.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic headaches were previously considered as part of his service-connected residuals of fracture of left nasal bones. The effective date for a grant of an increased rating for chronic headaches is set at May 15, 1996.

The Board has granted an initial 30 percent rating for the service-connected residuals of a head injury manifested by headaches, effective from April 26, 2004. The veteran's symptoms have been relatively consistent since service, with approximately two headaches per month.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, finding that the veteran's headaches began during service and have continued since then. Service connection was denied for low back disorder.

The veteran's sinusitis with headaches is productive of symptoms such as headaches, congestion, purulent discharge, and sinus infection but does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's migraine disorder and major depression are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right eye disorder.

The veteran seeks TDIU based on his service-connected headache condition and hemorrhoids. The Board previously denied this claim, but the Court has remanded it for additional development to determine if these conditions alone render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a musculoskeletal disability of the left shoulder or chronic headaches that are service-connected. The evidence shows no in-service injury to these conditions and no current disabilities.

For the period from June 13, 1998 to August 3, 2003, the veteran's chronic headaches were manifested by moderate headaches on an almost daily basis with severe headaches approximately once a week.,For the period on and after August 4, 2003, the veteran's chronic headaches were manifested by moderate headaches on an almost daily basis with severe headaches approximately twice a week.