Migraines & headaches decisions — 2008

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The appellant had a preexisting left knee disorder and was not shown to have any new injuries or diseases in ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. He also did not meet the criteria for service connection due to his psychiatric condition, deep vein thrombosis of the left leg, or pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has granted service connection for a disorder manifested by fatigue, headaches, joint pain, depression, and anxiety, diagnosed as compatible with fibromyalgia.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding medical records and further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,The right knee disability rating was reduced to noncompensable (0%) in June 2006 and has since been restored.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pursuit of a law school education is not necessary to improve his independence in daily living and does not meet the criteria for additional vocational and rehabilitation services under Chapter 31, Individual Independent Living Program.

The Board denied an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for service-connected migraine headaches, finding the evidence did not support more severe symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not compensable, but he was granted a 30 percent evaluation for migraines from May 16, 2006. The Board found that his headaches were productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, insomnia and irritability, finding that these conditions did not manifest during service or be related to an undiagnosed illness due to his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed eye disorder (Plateau Iris Syndrome with Glaucoma) and chronic headaches were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The veteran is granted an initial 30 percent rating for his muscle tension headaches secondary to degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim for service connection for lumbar strain. Service connection is granted.,A cervical condition was not incurred in or aggravated by service, but the veteran currently suffers from a chronic cervical condition.

The Board denied service connection for breast cancer and headaches due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to military service.

The veteran's claimed conditions, including hypertension, residuals of cardiac bypass surgery, arthritis of the cervical spine, and a head injury with residual headaches, were not shown in service or for several decades following separation. The Board finds that these conditions are not related to active service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development and examination, as they involve undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, and headaches. The evidence did not establish direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches, which are manifested by chronic and frequent attacks, warrant a 30 percent evaluation. The veteran remains employed and does not demonstrate severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted an increased rating to the maximum schedular level of 50 percent for service-connected post-concussion headaches, finding that the veteran experiences very frequent and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The claim for secondary service connection for dizziness and fatigue is remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.