Migraines & headaches decisions — 2008

The veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist is service-connected.

The veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent, and service connection for a bilateral knee disability was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, residuals of a laceration to the left thigh, hypertension with a heart disability, and headaches as new and material evidence was not found.

The veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound or needing the aid and attendance of another.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, headaches, mashed feet, right hand tendon laceration, welts, and arthritis were denied. The claims to reopen for service connection for pancreatitis and degenerative disc disease of the low back were granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and a gastrointestinal disorder, to include gastric ulcers, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service or any service-connected condition.

The veteran's migraine headaches have resulted in characteristic prostrating attacks occurring an average of once a month, warranting a 30 percent initial rating.

The Board granted a higher rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and DDD of the lumbar spine, effective November 16, 2007. The claim was denied for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, tinnitus, and hypertension.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for cluster headaches and granted service connection. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis, right knee disorder, and low back disorder are being remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a right ankle disability and reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for depression, but denied other claims including those for migraine headaches, hip disability, muscle disability, anxiety, degenerative bone growths, increased ratings for knee disabilities, and eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and/or adaptive equipment.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, alcohol abuse disorder, gastrointestinal disability, and headaches were denied as there was no evidence of a relationship to his period of military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and right foot disability were denied, as there was no evidence of a current disability or that the disabilities were related to his military service. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD was also denied.

The veteran's migraine headaches are not prostrating, and the cervical spine disability does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation. However, service connection was granted for residuals of a right ankle sprain.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied, but new and material evidence was found to reopen the claim for a foot condition. The other claims remained denied.

The Board granted restoration of service connection for a low back disorder, effective from the date of severance.

The veteran's ingrown toenail of the right great toe does not demonstrate a moderately severe symptom, and his service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's chronic headaches were determined to be service-connected, while his low back disability was not.

The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection for post-concussion syndrome with chronic headaches, secondary to a service connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for the right eye disability, service connection for rhinosinusitis and headaches, both claimed as secondary to service-connected disabilities, due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to February 6, 2006, and increased to 50 percent from that date. The combined disability evaluation is 81 percent as of February 6, 2006. A VA examination should be conducted to evaluate the effect of all service-connected disabilities on employment and daily life.