Migraines & headaches decisions — 2007

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the shoulders and elbows, DDD of the cervical spine, degenerative changes status post laminectomy of the lumbar spine, peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, a bladder disorder, migraine headaches, and a psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of exposure to ionizing radiation during service.

The Board has granted the veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for PTSD, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a permanent need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, thus denying her claim for special monthly compensation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities for which service connection can be granted, including Bell's palsy, migraine headaches, chronic sinusitis, and a low back disorder.

The veteran's initial evaluation for pain disorder from September 30, 2003 was granted. Service connection for chronic headaches and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were denied.

The veteran's service-connected cluster headaches are currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The evidence does not show marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization due to his service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's treatment at Indiana Heart Physicians, Morgan County Memorial Hospital, and Indianapolis Neurosurgical Group was not due to emergent circumstances and VA medical services were reasonably available. Therefore, reimbursement for these instances of unauthorized medical expenses is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for seizure disorder, multiple sclerosis, and residuals of an injury to his left eye. The claim for migraine headaches was granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches and right hand disability (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome) are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent due to their very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks that significantly impact her economic adaptability.

The Board has remanded the claims for increase and service connection due to insufficient evidence. The veteran's claim of service connection for headaches is reopened, but a left knee disability cannot be established as it does not meet the criteria for a current disability.

The Board denied service connection for muscle spasms of the neck and shoulders due to a lack of competent evidence of current disability.,The Board also denied service connection for migraine headaches as there was no competent evidence linking these symptoms to service.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including as due to undiagnosed illness. The claims were not granted.

The veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and reflux disease were evaluated, but the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the veteran for an examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial evaluations of his lumbar strain, right knee disability, residuals of a fracture of the middle finger of the right hand, trochanteric bursitis of the right hip, cubital tunnel syndrome of the right elbow, cubital tunnel syndrome of the left elbow, cluster headaches, and psedudofolliculits barbae (PSB).

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic headaches are manifested by severe pain, occurring daily and causing some economic inadaptability. The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for residuals of an intracranial injury manifested by headaches and dizzy spells.

The veteran's chronic daily headaches, characterized by prostrating attacks occurring at least once per month, have been found to warrant a 30 percent evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of pneumonia of the left lung and sinusitis with headaches were denied. The claim for an increased rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease with Schatzki's ring and hiatal hernia with stricture was granted, but only up to a 30 percent disability rating from May 6, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a chronic headache disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board has granted service connection for stress headaches and GERD, with the former receiving a noncompensable rating. The veteran's GERD is manifested by recurrent heartburn without difficulty swallowing or regurgitation.