Migraines & headaches decisions — 2008

The veteran withdrew her appeal for the claims of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, impaired vision, hair loss, and an initial compensable rating for migraine headaches.

The veteran seeks service connection for low back, right ankle, headache, and right hip disabilities. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and his military service.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development of the veteran's claims, including obtaining VA examinations to determine if he currently has peripheral neuropathy in his extremities, migraines related to service, and an inguinal hernia. The claims will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The veteran's service connection claims for migraines, hiatal hernia, lumbosacral disc disease, undiagnosed systemic disease (undiagnosed illness), ITP, right index finger fracture, and lymph node biopsy scars have been granted. The disability evaluations are as follows: 30 percent for migraines, 10 percent for hiatal hernia, 10 percent for lumbosacral disc disease, 60 percent for undiagnosed systemic disease (undiagnosed illness) from February 1, 2005, and 100 percent for undiagnosed systemic disease (undiagnosed illness) from January 28, 2008. The right index finger fracture is noncompensable, the lymph node biopsy scars are noncompensable, and ITP remains at a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current neck problems are related to his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including residuals of a facial injury, TMJ disorder, and migraine headaches, were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity neural impairment, sleep disturbances due to pain from service-connected disabilities, and headaches. The veteran's claim for increased rating for cholinergic urticaria was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for each of the conditions he claims were incurred in service.,Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, headaches, sinusitis, chronic fatigue, and memory loss with loss of concentration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, PTSD, a back disorder, headaches, chest pain, and muscle spasms. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the veteran sustained a head injury in service and that any current disability, including chronic headaches, is not attributable to such an injury.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the medical and other evidence of record is against a finding that the veteran currently has chronic disabilities of the left shoulder, low back, and/or head (to include headaches) that were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found that the veteran's migraine headaches do not involve very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, so a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate was denied as he did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent disabling with additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent, nor was he shown to be substantially confined to his home by reason of his service-connected disabilities prior to October 27, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and headaches, as well as his increased rating claim for xiphoid process fracture and compensable rating claim for Guillain-Barre syndrome.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic headaches disorder and finds that new and material evidence has been presented. However, there is no medical evidence linking the current headaches to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, increased ratings for his low back and knee disabilities, and an initial compensable rating for the residuals of a tonsillectomy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and increased ratings for post-traumatic headaches and scar over the right eye. The veteran's claim for service connection was not granted, as there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. His rating for post-traumatic headaches from March 1, 2001 through June 22, 2006 was increased to 50 percent, and the ratings for scar over the right eye were maintained at 30 percent prior to August 30, 2002 and then reduced to 30 percent from that date.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a gynecological disorder, migraine headaches, and a psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and thoracic strain, degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, knees, and hips were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.