Migraines & headaches decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed headache disability is not related to her military service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not meet the eligibility requirements. The Board also found that a VA examination is not required in this case due to the lack of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling specialized VA examinations to assess the veteran's service-connected disabilities. The issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, increased rating for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, and a compensable rating for headaches remain in appellate status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and no arthritis affecting the cervical spine manifested to a compensable degree within one year following his separation from service. The claim for psychiatric disorder, low back strain, headaches, left knee and left foot disabilities is reopened as new and material evidence has been received.

The Veteran's headaches were rated at 30 percent prior to May 16, 2004 and at 50 percent as of May 17, 2004.

The Veteran's death is being reviewed to determine if his service-connected conditions contributed to his cause of death. The appellant also seeks DIC benefits under a new version of the regulation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for aortic heart disease and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's cerebral concussion with headaches was rated at 50 percent effective January 23, 2004. The Board found that the increase in disability occurred within one year prior to the claim and granted an earlier effective date of April 29, 2003.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches do not result in prostrating attacks, let alone very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. Therefore, the initial rating for his headaches cannot be higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's headaches with blurred vision, sensitivity to the ears and scalp, and hand tremors are currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found that these symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to insufficient evidence of severe economic inadaptability from headaches.

The Veteran's headaches were not present in service and are not related to a head injury he sustained during his military service. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current headaches are causally related to his service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a medical nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hepatitis C and migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability with headaches, finding that new evidence supports his claim. The previous denial was based on an initial diagnosis of personality disorder in service and no relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headaches are not related to his service and have denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability, neck disability, and headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for blurred vision and migraine episodes due to concussion is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The combined evaluation for all disabilities of 70 percent is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected depression and residuals of a concussion. The Veteran also requested an increased rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for hemorrhoids, migraine headaches, and a fracture of the left fourth finger were denied as there is no evidence of large or thrombotic hemorrhoids with frequent recurrences, less frequent prostrating attacks for migraines, or significant limitation of motion in the fractured digit.