Migraines & headaches decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for hypertension as there was no evidence of the condition in service and no medical opinion linking it to service. The claim for headaches was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the condition was aggravated during active military service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a fracture of the right fifth metacarpal, carpal tunnel syndrome with ganglion cyst of the right wrist (claim withdrawn), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and an initial rating higher than 10 percent prior to September 24, 2004, and to a rating higher than 30 percent thereafter for residuals of a closed head injury, to include migraine headaches.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a fracture of the right tibia and fibula, major depression, and headaches are being remanded for additional development.

The veteran withdrew appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, skin disorder, asbestos exposure, lung disorder, buttocks injury, arthritis of the dorsal spine (claimed as back, left hand, neck, knees, ankles, and legs), pes planus, refractive error, cystitis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, left shoulder, enlarged heart, and compression fracture, T3-8.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, and the claim for a low back disability was denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between the current condition and active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post-traumatic headaches and bilateral knee disability, are of sufficient severity to result in unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right ear infection, residuals of a right thumb injury, and headaches due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions during or after his military service.

The veteran's service-connected headaches have been granted a 30 percent disability rating, as the evidence shows characteristic prostrating headaches at least once per month.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, as the preponderance of evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions rendered him permanently bedridden or unable to perform self-care tasks without assistance.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy as the preponderance of evidence was against these claims. The veteran's PTSD rating was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Board denied service connection for recurrent headaches and a right shoulder disorder as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The veteran's migraine headaches are not entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent, and the tinea corporis is rated at 30 percent from August 31, 1999.,The veteran's service-connected tinea corporis has been rated appropriately as 30 percent disabling since August 31, 1999.

The veteran's mixed tension vascular headaches have not been shown to be more severe than the currently assigned 10 percent rating, as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for headaches, residuals of a head injury, and a psychiatric disorder.

The veteran's claims to reopen for service connection of neck condition, hypertension, and headaches were denied as the evidence submitted was not new and material.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and headaches were denied, while the claim for a higher rating for his neck disability was granted.

The Board remands the case to schedule a hearing for the Veteran before a Veterans Law Judge.

The veteran's headaches are service-connected as secondary to his diabetes mellitus, and a rating of 40 percent is granted for the diabetes. The claim for a sleep disorder was denied.

The veteran's cluster headaches were rated at 30 percent, effective July 2, 2007. The evaluation for paroxysmal tachycardia remained at 30 percent.