Migraines & headaches decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximates occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas and an inability to establish and maintain effective relationships, warranting a rating of 70 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a travel board hearing at the RO due to the Veteran's request.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for headaches due to new and material evidence. However, the claims are denied as there is no clear or unmistakable evidence that the current headaches are related to service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no legal entitlement to an effective date earlier than February 4, 2004 for the grant of service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a local hearing at the RO with a Decision Review Officer. The service connection claims for migraines and sinusitis, as well as the increased rating claim for nasal deformity, will be addressed after the hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus and denied the claim.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum available rating of 50 percent. The gastritis, hiatal hernia is currently rated at 30 percent effective September 7, 2008.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence showing the Veteran has a cervical spine disorder, left knee disorder, residuals of head trauma, or post-traumatic headaches related to service. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for fibrocystic breast disease, migraine headaches, and a left shoulder condition. The claims are being remanded to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the Veteran's tension headaches prior to February 19, 2008. Effective from February 19, 2008, the maximum rating of 50 percent is assigned.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma, low back pain, cervical pain, and headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board denied these claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of fibromyalgia or headaches due to military service. The medical evidence does not support a finding of chronicity of symptoms such as fatigue, wide spread pain, and trigger point consistent with fibromyalgia during service or in the years following service discharge.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, cervical spine, and migraine headaches disorders are not service-connected. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that any claimed conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity and all manifestations of his service-connected residuals of a basal skull fracture manifested by seizures and headaches, as well as additional VA medical records.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are manifested by prostrating attacks occurring on an average of at least once a month, qualifying for a disability rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's earlier effective date claim is held in abeyance.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current headaches and sleep disturbance.