Migraines & headaches decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for gastroenteritis, residuals of a left ankle sprain, and bilateral hearing loss were addressed by the RO in an August 2003 rating decision, which was not appealed. As such, these decisions are final.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis is granted. The effective date of the award of a 30 percent rating for allergic rhinitis is set at September 23, 2008. However, an earlier effective date is not warranted due to the lack of factual ascertainability of polyps prior to this date. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of nasal injury with scarring remains unresolved.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a concussion were rated at 10 percent before October 23, 2008. The rating was increased to 40 percent effective February 18, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left hip is found to have its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including obtaining records of medical treatment during active duty in West Germany and psychiatric hospitalization at Fort Hood.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and headaches, as new and material evidence has been received. The claim for service connection for headaches is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if his disabilities are related to exposure to jet fuel during service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the right ankle, bilateral hearing loss, and laceration of the left palm have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are dismissed due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain was found to be incurred during active duty. The claims for headaches and fatigue are also granted.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence is service-connected as it is caused by her service-connected complex partial seizures. For the period prior to August 21, 2007, she was granted a disability rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks. From August 21, 2007, the Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent disabling. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current headaches to his service-connected right eye disability.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, effective July 2005. The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's headaches meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, and his headaches are currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA neuropsychiatric examination to determine if the Veteran suffers from a separate cognitive disability or chronic headache disability due to service.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective June 22, 2007. The TDIU is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 50% disabling since March 13, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his pension benefits were properly reduced due to estrangement from his spouse.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran currently has a non-compensable rating for migraine headaches, a 10 percent rating for sinusitis with allergic rhinitis, and no compensable rating for an abdominal scar. Service connection for hypertension was not established.