Migraines & headaches decisions — 2010

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic headache disorder, to include muscle tension headaches.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's migraine headaches manifested during service or were caused by his service-connected left eyebrow scar and/or conjunctivitis. The Board therefore denied the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and sinus disorder were denied as there is no competent evidence to establish a relationship between these conditions and his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for gastrointestinal disorder, migraine headache disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and disorders other than PTSD), and left foot disorder. However, the claims remain denied as new and material evidence was not provided to substantiate these conditions.

The Veteran's headaches with aqueductal stenosis, hydrocephalus and dizziness are totally disabling and exceed the criteria for a 50 percent rating. The Board has determined that an extra-schedular rating of 100 percent is in order.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to report for a Travel Board hearing scheduled in December 2009. The Veteran is now requesting a new hearing at the RO nearest his residence in Washington State.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine headaches, heart disease, residuals of a stroke, and lumbar spine disability are not supported by competent evidence. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding an in-service injury or event that would support these claims.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have improved, with a decrease in frequency from up to five per month to approximately one every other month after starting Topamax. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for her migraine headache disability.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine disability and cervicogenic headaches were denied, but he was granted service connection with effective dates assigned based on the date his claim to reopen was received.

The Veteran's current migraine headaches are related to an in-service injury, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headache disability, which is secondary to fibrous dysplasia of the left temporal bone, began or was aggravated during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has not decided the service connection claims, but has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen several previously denied claims for skin rash, muscle spasms, joint pain, left side neuropathy, and stomach condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and initial evaluations for lumbar sprain and tension headaches were denied. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation for her lumbar sprain or a compensable evaluation for her tension headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sleep disorder, migraine headaches, curvature of the spine, and tinnitus are granted as secondary to his service-connected temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of migraine headaches has been granted, with the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent. The claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is pending and will be readjudicated after obtaining recent VA treatment records. The low back disability claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial in September 2002.

The Veteran's PTSD, combined with other service-connected and nonservice-connected conditions, has rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since September 11, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining additional medical records and determining whether she has any other acquired psychiatric disorders related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service information, medical records, and SSA disability determination. A VA examination will be scheduled for the Veteran to determine if he has a current psychiatric disorder or chronic headache disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected post-concussive headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional action, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining relevant VA treatment records.