Migraines & headaches decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 50 percent for service-connected migraine headaches on an extraschedular basis has been denied as the available schedular evaluations are adequate to compensate for her disability.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disability and hyperopia and amblyopia of the left eye, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

Hearing loss and facial paresthesia have been granted service connection, but hearing loss is not considered compensably disabling. Headaches were denied from August 23, 2004 to May 24, 2005.,The veteran's right side of face paresthesia has been rated at 10% since August 23, 2004.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the claims for service connection and increased rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on being housebound as he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was caused by acute myocardial infarction due to or as a consequence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, and PTSD. The appellant is seeking service connection for the cause of death on a secondary basis and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and migraines, finding that there was not sufficient medical evidence to establish a direct link between her current conditions and her military service.

The veteran's service-connected headaches have been rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing headache disorder existed prior to his active service and was not aggravated by military service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, an acquired psychiatric disability to include depression and anxiety, headaches, residuals of infarction of the left cerebellum (including facial numbness and facial paresthesia), and irritable bowel syndrome.,An initial evaluation of 30 percent for headaches is granted effective June 29, 2005.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, migraine headaches, coronary artery disease status post CABG, and bilateral tendonitis of the feet.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased evaluation for headaches. The evidence did not support a finding that the current diagnoses of PTSD or headaches were related to in-service events, and there was no competent medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Board has withdrawn the veteran's claims for service connection for brain disease, neck pain, back pain, and depression. The claim for coronary artery disease was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between such condition and service. The previously denied claim for an eye disorder with defective or blurred vision was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has ordered the VA to locate the veteran's service medical records and attempt to reconstruct them. The claims for reopening a claim for asbestosis, secondary service connection for sinusitis, and secondary service connection for headaches are pending.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic headaches warrant a 30 percent disability rating, which is the current and highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 8100 for migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current headaches are due to a head injury sustained during service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and migraines as residuals of head trauma. The conditions are found to be related to active duty service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals following a closed head injury, finding that his symptoms did not meet criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's skin disorder, memory loss, headaches, multiple joint pain, and muscle weakness were not found to be related to service or an undiagnosed illness. The right arm and leg numbness was attributed to peripheral neuropathy.,Service connection for the veteran's right arm and leg numbness due to an undiagnosed illness is denied.

The veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The TDIU claim remains denied as well.