Migraines & headaches decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of residuals of a head injury (other than headaches), seizure disorder, or organic disability manifested by blackouts. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including arthritis of the left hand, chronic headaches, emphysema secondary to pneumonia, right and left knee disorders, right and left foot disorders, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and fibromyalgia, were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed headaches are not related to his military service and have denied his claim.

The veteran's claims for joint and muscle pain, weakness, and headaches due to an undiagnosed illness are denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD effective March 30, 1994, based on new evidence submitted by the veteran.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to determine the appropriate evaluation for his service-connected corneal abrasion of the right eye and to address issues regarding service connection for various disabilities.,The veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability remains pending. The Board will schedule him for an examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right eye disability, determine if he has a current left eye disability related to service, and evaluate whether any such disability is related to service.,The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is remanded to determine if it is as likely as not that his current back condition is related to parachute jumps during active service or other injuries sustained in service. The Board will also address the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction, including whether it is related to his service-connected right eye disability.,The veteran's claim for service connection for headaches and a skin rash of the groin are both remanded. For headaches, the Board will determine if there is a current headache disorder or migraines related to an injury in service or as secondary to his service-connected right eye disability. For the skin rash, the Board will determine if it is as likely as not that the condition is etiologically related to a skin rash for which he was treated during service.,The veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction remains pending and will be addressed after determining whether or not his current condition is related to his back disability or medications prescribed for other service-connected disabilities. The Board will also determine if the condition is as likely as not related to any event or injury in service.

The veteran's headaches were shown to have increased in severity as of June 17, 1997. An effective date of June 17, 1997 for a 50 percent disability rating was granted.

The veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to incomplete service records and the need to clarify her status with the Army Reserve. The RO must obtain all relevant medical records, confirm her military status, and schedule VA examinations to assess her current level of disability.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim of service connection for hepatitis C, sinus headaches, and low back disability. The decision is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and failure to notify the veteran of new VA notice requirements for reopening a service connection claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of the residuals of an injury to the left index finger, hearing loss disability, tinnitus, sinusitis, and headaches as the veteran withdrew these issues. The claim for bilateral eye disability (glaucoma) was denied due to lack of evidence of pre-service glaucoma at entry into active military duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current complaints of headaches and facial paralysis are not related to service, and have assigned noncompensable ratings for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches, due to an undiagnosed illness, warrant a 50 percent evaluation based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks that are productive of severe economic inadaptability. The veteran's claims for higher ratings have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to scheduling issues, including rescheduling a video conference hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the feet, headaches, and degenerative cervical spine disease are not related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for residuals of a head injury. The preponderance of the competent medical evidence is against a finding that the veteran currently suffers from such residuals due to his in-service head injury.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a brain injury, including headaches and blackouts, as well as narcolepsy and hypersomnolence. The decision on whether these conditions are related to service is pending.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's cervical disc herniation, effective February 6, 2004. The claim for service connection for headaches was also granted.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.