Migraines & headaches decisions — 2009

The Board denied increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome, depressive disorder, and hypertension, granted a 10 percent rating for right foot hallux valgus status-post bunionectomy, and denied service connection for cervical spine and left ankle disorders.

The Veteran's claimed nasal and respiratory disorder with headache pressure was not shown to be etiologically related to any exposure to chemicals or asbestos during his active duty service, or to any injury or illness contracted during his active duty service.

The appeal was partially granted, as the Veteran's PTSD was service-connected. The claims for increased rating of hearing loss and service connection for a right knee condition were not decided in this decision.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for duodenal ulcer with recurrent diarrhea and granted service connection for generalized muscle and joint pain, but did not address the claims to reopen for bilateral ankle disability, shin splints, chest pain, leg cramps, and a bilateral shoulder disability.

The Veteran was granted a higher 10 percent initial rating for his right nerve injury, as the evidence supports moderate incomplete paralysis of the affected nerves.

The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the maxilla and zygoma do not warrant a compensable rating, while his post-traumatic headache syndrome warranted a 50% rating on August 18, 2005.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and right ear injury, as there was no evidence to support that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a respiratory disorder, and that weight loss, chronic headaches, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, degenerative disc condition, and tingling of the feet were not related to his military service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, but denied service connection for migraine headaches.

The veteran's in-service head injury has resulted in headaches, cognitive impairment, anxiety and difficulty sleeping. The current 30 percent disability rating is warranted for headaches due to brain trauma, but a higher rating is not warranted.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence related to the Veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and migraine headaches, claimed as secondary to PTSD.

The veteran's migraine headaches are not manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, thus a disability rating higher than 30 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinus disability, right shoulder disability, hearing loss, left knee disability, headaches with dizziness, disability manifested by insomnia, disability manifested by fatigue, disability manifested by decreased appetite, disability manifested by loss of sex drive, and disability manifested by stiff joints of the lower extremities were denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection and rating of allergic rhinitis, as well as secondary conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, an innocently acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and lumbar and cervical spine degenerative joint disease were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or that the claimed conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, sinusitis, cysts, a skin disability, joint pain, and muscle spasms and numbness, as there was no competent medical evidence of record indicating that these conditions were causally or etiologically related to his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for various disabilities, including headaches, bowel problems, nerve damage to the right hand and arm, chronic pain syndrome of the left upper extremity, and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left upper extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, IBS, cholecystectomy, migraines, right knee injury, tinnitus, and other conditions, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to January 10, 2005.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, and headache disability as the conditions were not attributable to service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were incurred in service and the claim for service connection was granted.