Migraines & headaches decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a cerebrovascular accident, sleep disorder, seizure disorder, headache disorder, joint pain, fatigue, skin disorder, muscle pain, neurologic signs and symptoms, or neuropsychiatric signs or symptoms (memory loss) due to service connection. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, effective September 2004. The Veteran is granted an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected headaches and denied a TDIU.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for headaches, including as due to undiagnosed illness stemming from his Gulf War service. The Board finds that the examination report provided no opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disability and thus cannot make a fully informed decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim. The Board also found that any current seizure disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's nervous disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks and alcohol dependence, are found to be secondary to service-connected disabilities. Service connection for hypertension is also granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure a complete record before deciding the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. Specifically, the appellant needs to be provided with notice regarding her spouse's service-connected disabilities and a medical opinion on whether these conditions contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right and left knees, migraine headaches, varicose veins of the right and left lower extremities, and allergic rhinitis have been granted initial disability ratings. Service connection for urinary tract infection and sinusitis has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's migraine headaches and back injuries.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues regarding service connection and stressor verification.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for facial swelling and increased ratings for undiagnosed illness, as well as a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to October 9, 2008, were denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss beginning October 9, 2008 was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including service connection for headaches and secondary service connection.

The Veteran is granted service connection for headaches. Service connection for sleep apnea and COPD are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an outstanding VA hearing request. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions were granted, with effective dates set at June 16, 2003. The initial ratings for each condition are 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed right arm, cervical spine, and migraine headache disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of legal merit. The earliest possible effective date is August 24, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for seizures, migraine headaches, and fatigue were denied as there is no in-service injury or disease manifesting these conditions.,Migraine headaches are presumed to have preexisted service entrance. The Board found that the Veteran did not show aggravation during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder was denied. His claim for increased rating of residuals of head injury, headaches and dizziness was granted with an evaluation of 10 percent effective December 17, 2008. The Veteran withdrew his claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for vocal cord damage.

The Veteran's headaches were characterized by prostrating attacks occurring once per month from January 2007 to May 28, 2009. Since May 29, 2009, his headaches are manifested by frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.