Migraines & headaches decisions — 2007

The VA has determined that the veteran's migraine headaches do not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation, as they are not characterized by prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over several months.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and determined that a separate evaluation for arthritis of the neck is not warranted. The veteran's residuals of a fractured C6 vertebra with degenerative changes are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5235.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the last final denial in October 2002 is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for headaches.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for headaches as secondary to chicken pox, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and readjudication due to uncertainty regarding whether any current skin disorder or migraine headaches are related to service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the appellant's current headaches to service, and thus denied her claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for migraine headaches and a facial nerve condition was denied by the Board. The veteran is not entitled to an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for her migraine headaches, as her attacks are not productive of severe economic inadaptability. For the facial nerve condition, additional evidence from a VA examination is needed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination to determine the etiology of his headaches.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, PTSD, migraines, and dizziness. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD or show that any claimed conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and Social Security Administration records. The veteran's claim for PTSD is being considered again as well as his secondary service connection claim for headaches.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches, joint pain, and muscle pain are presumed to have been incurred in service due to her service in the Gulf War. The veteran's symptoms were first noted shortly after her return from service and have persisted since then.

The Board has determined that the earliest possible effective date for the grants of service connection is January 24, 2001. The veteran's claim was received on this date and thus no earlier effective date can be granted.

The veteran's claims are being remanded due to the lack of service medical records, and further development is required including obtaining her SMRs and personnel records. The veteran will also be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of her claimed neck disorder, migraine headaches, and fibromyalgia.

The veteran's service-connected maxillary sinusitis and post-traumatic headaches were granted, with a 10% initial rating effective June 1, 1996. Higher ratings for other conditions were also granted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability, paracervical strain, and post-traumatic headaches were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board granted service connection for post-traumatic headaches and assigned a 30 percent evaluation, effective December 1998. Service connection for Crohn's disease was also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral central serous retinopathy and other conditions, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for headaches and left ear hearing loss, as well as his claim for service connection for facial asymmetry were all denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have a diagnosis of multi-infarct dementia related to his brain trauma from service, and his MRI was negative. For his left ear hearing loss, he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's tables for evaluating impaired hearing. Regarding facial asymmetry, there is no medical evidence showing that it is due to an event in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not incur bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, or headaches due to trauma in service. The claims are denied.