Migraines & headaches decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The VA found that the conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on their current severity.

The veteran's claims for compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to memory loss, headaches, and eye problems resulting from a VA-administered sleep study in January 2005 were denied as there was no evidence showing the proximate cause of these conditions was carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on VA's part.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical services provided by Memorial Community Hospital on October 20, 2005 was denied because the treatment did not meet the criteria for emergency care under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's migraine headache, brain aneurysms, and vitiligo are not service-connected. However, these conditions were aggravated by the cessation of hormone replacement therapy following her hysterectomy.,An independent medical expert concluded that the veteran's migraine headaches, brain aneurysms, and vitiligo were likely caused by estrogen depletion resulting from the cessation of hormone replacement therapy after her hysterectomy.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to allow for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are not productive of severe economic inadaptability, and the VA has denied a higher initial evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected traumatic left facial paralysis is rated at 20 percent from March 23, 2005 to present. The veteran's migraine headaches are not entitled to a higher rating.

The Board finds that the veteran's abdominal muscle strain and headaches, including as due to an undiagnosed illness as a result of service in the Southwest Asia theater during the Persian Gulf War, were incurred or aggravated by his active duty. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right acromioclavicular joint bursitis and arthritis, traumatic arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and headaches, residuals of whiplash injury were denied. The current evaluations are 40 percent, 20 percent, and 10 percent respectively.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's depression is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches, and whether the service-connected headache disorder permanently aggravates or worsens the diagnosed depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD due to a reported in-service sexual assault, which was corroborated by competent sources. The veteran's claims for stomach disorder and migraine headaches are not supported by the evidence presented.

The Board found that the veteran does not have migraine headaches associated with his active military duty and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for PTSD was remanded due to insufficient evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including headaches, fatigue and sleep problems, chest pain, and shortness of breath, memory loss, and impaired concentration, are all service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and PTSD, finding that the veteran's current symptoms are not related to his service-connected nasal bone fracture or any in-service traumatic events.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, headaches, or a fracture of T-12 (claimed as back arthritis) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected migraine headaches meet the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating, as they are manifested by prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month.

The Board has vacated its June 2008 decision and remanded the claims for further action due to lack of due process.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for restoration of a 50 percent rating and an increased rating for service-connected headaches, finding that his current symptoms do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis or continuity of symptomatology related to the claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, ulcers, and an aneurysm of the brain, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.