Migraines & headaches decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 50 percent from May 1, 2006 onward and a compensable rating for chronic tension headaches has been granted. The Veteran also meets the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's headaches, nausea, body aches, night sweats and sores have been attributed to falciparum malaria. Service connection for an undiagnosed illness is denied. However, the Veteran's service-connected falciparum malaria does not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the issues of service connection for bilateral shoulder pain and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for headaches.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of all appropriate theories of entitlement.

The Board denied service connection for essential hypertension, chronic headaches, and fatigue as not incurred or aggravated by active military service. The Veteran's conditions were found to be less likely related to his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and adjudicating any outstanding claims. The veteran's service-connected disabilities are being considered to determine if they render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic headaches were found to be manifested by prostrating headaches averaging on a weekly and bi-weekly basis, but not severe enough to warrant an increased rating. The claim for a higher rating was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected hairy cell leukemia is currently rated at 10 percent effective May 1, 2004. The RO has granted an increased rating for this condition.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a headache disorder, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected residuals of a fractured mandible. He is also seeking entitlement to an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals of a fractured mandible. The case is remanded due to the need for additional notice and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examination. The issues of service connection for various conditions are on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for service-connected tinea pedis, entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and tension headaches were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection for folliculitis.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are not shown to be productive of very frequent and completely prostrating attacks that cause severe economic inadaptability, so the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's headaches, including migraines, were found to be incurred in active service. The case of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a bilateral shoulder disorder is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, chronic headaches, and bleeding ulcer/gastric ulcer as a result of the Veteran's active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a bilateral eye disability, hypertension, and residuals of dental trauma. The claim for an initial compensable rating for GERD was granted with a noncompensable evaluation effective June 16, 2006. The claim for an initial compensable rating for chronic left ankle sprain was granted with a noncompensable evaluation effective June 16, 2006. The claim for an increased rating for chronic right ankle sprain was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus but assigned a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have established service connection for any of his claimed disabilities, including bilateral shoulder, knee, right ankle, foot, and eye disabilities. The only condition found to be related to service is a fungal infection of the nails.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are not considered to be the result of carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on VA's part during a December 2003 C&P examination. The Board finds that his headaches are unrelated to this previous testing.

The Veteran's service records show she had headaches beginning in October 2004, and her current diagnosis is chronic headaches. The Board finds that the Veteran's statements regarding continuity of symptomatology are credible and grants service connection for chronic headaches.