Migraines & headaches decisions — 2007

The Board has granted increased ratings of 10% for the veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability and headaches, effective from August 29, 2006.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The right knee, GERD, normocytic normochromic anemia, pseudofolliculitis barbae, status post left orbital and maxillary sinus fracture, headaches, and nosebleeds are all rated as they currently stand.

The Board denied all claims for service connection and initial ratings, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service or new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected stroke residuals do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there are no residuals other than headaches attributable to the stroke.

The Board has determined that the veteran's migraine headaches with dizziness, formerly claimed as Meniere's disease, do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, sleep disturbance, and abnormal weight loss due to Gulf War Syndrome. The evidence did not meet the requirements for a grant of service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 or direct service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an emotionally unstable personality disorder, depressive disorder, and migraine headaches due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's headaches are manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over the last several months, with moderate employment impairment. The VA Board granted a 30 percent rating for headaches.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a TDIU rating as his service-connected headaches do not render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected migraines, formerly diagnosed as status post barotraumas with vascular headaches, warrant a maximum schedular evaluation of 50 percent. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was granted. The veteran received a compensable evaluation (10%) for her scars, status post breast reduction. She also received an increased initial evaluation of 10% for chondromalacia patella in the left knee and a 10% evaluation from February 25, 2005 onwards for chondromalacia patella in the right knee.

The veteran's claims for fatigue, headaches, joint pain, muscle pain, night sweats, memory loss, inability to concentrate, and mental and emotional changes are denied as not related to service or an undiagnosed illness.,Fatigue is associated with a known condition (sleep apnea).,Headaches are diagnosed as tension headaches and are unrelated to the Gulf War exposure.,Joint pain and muscle pain have been attributed to pre-existing conditions, such as arthritis and tendonitis.,Night sweats, memory loss, inability to concentrate, and mental and emotional changes do not meet the criteria for an undiagnosed illness due to service in the Southwest Asia theater during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a personality disorder, low back pain, left knee disability, headaches, and right knee disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or in-service incurrence/aggravation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, vertigo, dizziness, headaches, and left ear injury due to an in-service automobile accident are denied as the injuries were caused by his own willful misconduct.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a headache disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current headache disorder is not etiologically related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and a right ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within one year after separation from service. The VA examiner opined that the current right ankle arthritis and recurrent sprain are not related to the injury during service.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches and PTSD were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.