Migraines & headaches decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's current residuals of a brain aneurysm are not related to his periods of active duty for training, and thus service connection is denied.

The veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as she did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders were also denied, with the Board noting that these conditions first manifested approximately two and a half years after service.

The Board has ordered additional development of the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further examination.

The veteran's claims of increased evaluations for his service-connected conditions have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on the current symptoms and diagnoses.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim to reopen a left shoulder disability was granted, but the evidence does not establish that the current condition is related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's memory loss and headaches did not manifest during his military service or within a year of separation, and thus cannot be considered as due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's combined total rating percentage was correctly calculated as 60 percent from March 4, 2003 to January 21, 2004.

The veteran's asthma is currently rated at 60 percent, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The veteran's headaches are currently rated at 10 percent and meet the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected aseptic meningitis is rated at 100 percent from August 27, 2003 to September 8, 2003. From September 9, 2003, the rating for his residuals of meningitis (chronic recurring muscle tension headaches) is denied.

The Board found no evidence of chronic tinnitus in service and denied the claim for service connection.,Service records show that headaches began shortly after deployment to the Persian Gulf, but there is no indication they were related to service. The Board concluded that it was less than 50 percent likely that the appellant's current headache disability had its onset during service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect his symptoms and functional impairment.

The veteran's headaches and chronic fatigue syndrome were not found to be related to service or an undiagnosed illness. The left thigh disability remains at a 10% rating.

The veteran's neck disability, degenerative arthritis of the neck, is not currently manifested and current neck pain has been present since a recent non-service-related car accident.,Allergic sinusitis with headaches and coughing up blood is not currently manifested.,Traumatic arthritis of the right ankle was incurred in active service. The veteran sustained an injury while on inactive duty for training in 1979.,The veteran's reactive airway disease with chronic bronchitis has been treated with daily oral inhalational bronchodilator therapy and is currently manifested by generally normal pulmonary function tests with the possibility of malingering.,Right great toe pain with gouty arthritis is manifested by frequent pain episodes, mid-level pain, a limp, use of a cane, and avoidance of walking up steps.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO, and to return the case for further appellate consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen his previously denied claims.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for initial consideration of the new evidence submitted by his attorney and to address issues related to an earlier effective date for a disability rating.

The veteran's initial rating for residuals of multiple neck strain injuries, with traumatic arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is granted at 60 percent prior to September 23, 2002. The combined initial rating since September 23, 2002 is granted at 80 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of cervical spine pain or sinusitis, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The veteran was diagnosed with migraines in October 2005, which is considered new evidence related to her headaches condition.

The veteran seeks service connection for heat stroke residuals, including superior sinus thrombosis and migraine headaches. The case is being remanded to obtain additional records and determine the validity of her claim.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for further development, including an examination to determine if the veteran's migraines were aggravated during her active service.