Migraines & headaches decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of brain trauma manifested by headaches, distortion of small and taste and right supraorbital neuralgia was denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for organic hallucinosis was not earlier than June 26, 1996.

The veteran's initial ratings for migraine headaches and PTSD have been granted, but he is seeking higher ratings. The Board has determined that the current 50 percent ratings are appropriate.

The veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches was denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,Service connection for a low back disability was also denied, with no current evidence of such a condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The veteran was granted a higher rating for his headaches, but the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a 50% rating. Service connection for a pulmonary disorder and loss of sense of smell due to an undiagnosed illness were also denied.

The VA denied increased ratings for cervical strain and headaches associated with cervical strain, finding that the veteran's disability did not warrant a higher evaluation based on current medical evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and major depression are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if her conditions were aggravated by military service or have a relationship with her service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing as requested. The issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating for service-connected toxic psychosis with headaches remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's migraine headaches do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent, as they have not been shown to result in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression. The veteran's current diagnoses of a stomach disorder and migraine and cluster headaches are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims for right knee, low back, and headaches were all denied as new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to January 4, 1999 for service connection for tinnitus and his claims for initial disability ratings for a depressive disorder and migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and a need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran has any current disabilities as a result of his in-service skull fracture.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current headache disorder related to service, and his eye pain and generalized cerebral atrophy are not shown to be caused or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for impingement syndrome of both shoulders and migraine headaches, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to February 26, 2003 for the grant of service connection for joint pain and headaches due to an undiagnosed illness is not warranted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a prostate condition, VA outpatient dental treatment, and irritable bowel syndrome. The claim for asbestosis is pending due to an incomplete record of in-service asbestos exposure.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral lung condition, depression, anxiety disorder, headaches secondary to sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's migraine headaches are caused by his service-connected fibromyalgia and tension headaches, and thus grants service connection for these symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher evaluation for his service-connected chronic post-traumatic encephalopathy with PTSD, to include post-traumatic headaches. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, finding that there is no evidence showing a direct or aggravation relationship.