Migraines & headaches decisions — 2008

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (migraine headaches, epicondylitis of the right elbow, and depression) have resulted in a combined rating of 70%, meeting the criteria for TDIU. The veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus and hypertension are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's left ankle disorder is not service-connected.,There is no evidence of a headache disorder related to service or service-connected conditions.,No eating disorder has been diagnosed.,Polyarthritis and polyarthralgia are not shown in the record.,An eye disorder was not found during the review.,Epididymitis is secondary to prostatitis but considered separate for compensation purposes.,Memory loss and sleep impairment are manifestations of dysthymic disorder, with no separately ratable conditions identified.,No effective date earlier than July 25, 1996 can be assigned for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and memory loss).,No effective date earlier than July 25, 1996 can be assigned for the grant of service connection for a left hip disorder.

The veteran's asthma, headaches, and digestive condition are presumed to be due to his Gulf War service. The RO granted service connection for these conditions.

The veteran is granted a 20 percent evaluation for chronic lumbar strain from July 26, 2003. The veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent effective the same date.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine whether the veteran's claimed disabilities are caused or aggravated by steroid injections used to treat his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for post-traumatic headache disorder, effective from July 2004. Service connection was denied for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic headache disability and a psychiatric disorder, finding that there is no current evidence of such disabilities in service or post-service records.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches, bilateral knee disorders, left shoulder disorder, and a left hand disorder. The veteran's claims are pending for the other issues.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, back disability, and right knee disability have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral shoulder disability. For the other conditions, the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding of service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic headaches, and a disability manifested by upper respiratory infections are denied as there is no competent evidence to show these conditions may be associated with an event, injury, or disease in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The evidence does not establish a current disability in all of the conditions claimed, and there is no direct service connection established.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis with headaches, finding no evidence of a nexus to service. The evaluation of COPD remains pending.

The veteran's sinusitis with headaches is currently rated at 30 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of incapacitating episodes or chronic osteomyelitis.,The veteran's residuals of a left ankle injury are currently rated at 20 percent and do not meet the criteria for an increased rating as there is no evidence of surgery with chronic osteomyelitis.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of migraine headaches with vision disturbances has been granted, and he is now rated at 30 percent. The case was remanded to determine if a separate disability evaluation for any vision impairment related to his migraines should be granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the RO continued a noncompensable rating for his simple right parietal skull fracture. The RO granted service connection for trigeminal neuralgia headaches effective August 4, 2006, but did not grant an earlier effective date.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (hypertension, muscle spasms, and headaches) do not meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's fungal disorder of the feet and toenails was found to have begun during service, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examination and development of his claim, including consideration of an extraschedular rating.