Migraines & headaches decisions — 2007

The veteran's asthma is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated as non-compensable (0 percent), and the Board finds that a compensable evaluation is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case back to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Member of the Board at the regional office.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches and general masticatory pain, which are related to her service-connected residuals of orthodontic braces, worsened during active duty service.

The RO denied service connection for a headache disorder due to the absence of current disability and no in-service diagnosis or treatment.

Service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of verified combat participation and stressor events. The claim for increased ratings for headaches, right knee chondromalacia, and left knee chondromalacia were also denied as the criteria for a compensable rating prior to October 26, 2004, and a rating in excess of 30 percent after that date have not been met.

The Board found that the veteran did not have an employment handicap and thus, basic entitlement to vocational rehabilitation training was denied.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for neck strain and migraine headaches, finding that new evidence supports a relationship between current symptoms and service. Service connection is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's desire to become a chaplain was not suitable for vocational rehabilitation benefits, as his current education and training were deemed adequate for his abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for memory loss due to undiagnosed illness. The veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, also due to an undiagnosed illness, was denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing a link between his active service and his current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, cervical strain and degenerative changes of the cervical spine, paresthesias of both lower extremities, and residuals of cerebral concussion. The veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches did not have onset during service and are unrelated to a disease or injury of service origin. The claim was denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to military service.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service, including as due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The appellant's claimed conditions were not shown to be incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for post-traumatic migraine headaches is being remanded to the RO for further development, including an examination and consideration of the severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for headaches, finding that there is continuity of symptomatology since his separation from military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertension and headaches associated with hypertension, do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation or TDIU. The Board denied his claims as there is no evidence of unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining personnel records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to increased initial evaluations for his service-connected right knee disabilities was not addressed.,Service connection for sinusitis and a psychiatric disability were denied as the evidence did not show such conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and therefore he is not entitled to a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a prostate/urinary tract disability, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for sinus disability and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have all been denied. The veteran does not have a chronic prostate/urinary tract disability related to active service, and his sinus disability is not productive of the required criteria for an increased rating.

The veteran's initial increased ratings for cervical sprain and post-concussive headaches have been granted, as well as service connection for speech and comprehension difficulties (post-concussive) and cervical dysplasia. The effective dates are not specified.