Migraines & headaches decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claim for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits due to a lack of evidence showing permanent and total disability from non-service connected conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities, including low back, right elbow, left elbow, right knee, left knee, gastrointestinal disorder, and skin disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and adjudicating the claim for service connection for tremors as a separate issue from anxiety disorder.

The veteran's suboccipital headaches due to head trauma are rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is appropriate as there is no evidence of multi-infarct dementia or other neurological conditions.

The veteran's headaches and temporomandibular joint dysfunction were evaluated, but the preponderance of evidence did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for ratings in excess of those currently assigned.

The veteran's claims for service connection were dismissed due to her death while the appeal was pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a skull fracture, including post-traumatic headaches, are service-connected. However, hypertension is not service-connected as it did not develop during active duty and there is no evidence linking it to his skull fracture.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service and denied the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, left ankle condition, and neuroma of the left foot as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The veteran's increased evaluation for migraine headaches is denied as there is no evidence of completely prostrating and prolonged attacks that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case to the Reno, Nevada Regional Office for scheduling a videoconference hearing in Las Vegas, Nevada due to the veteran's recent move.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection and rating for depression and headaches are separate from this decision.

The VA Medical Center denied reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital on April 3, 2007 due to the availability of VA facilities and because the services were not rendered in an emergency.

The Board denied all of the veteran's claims for service connection, finding that none of his claimed disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are manifested by very frequent, completely prostrating attacks and severe economic inadaptability, warranting a rating of 50 percent.

The Board has granted the veteran's service connection for migraines, left wrist CTS, and right wrist CTS. However, it denied any increase in ratings as the current assigned ratings are already at their maximum under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,There is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's tinnitus to his military service. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is also denied.

The veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, and the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional development of his claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of her service-connected Multiple Sclerosis and related conditions, including migraine headaches and bladder incontinence. The issues on appeal are to be addressed upon remand.