Migraines & headaches decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing not being held and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches disability is currently rated at 0 percent (noncompensable), retroactively effective from October 1, 2006. The Board has determined that a higher initial rating of 30 percent is warranted based on the frequency and severity of his prostrating attacks.

The Board has granted service connection for chest pain, headaches, and sleeping problems as qualifying chronic disabilities due to the Persian Gulf War. Service connection was denied for hypertension and frequent bowel movements.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hepatitis C and its related symptoms. The evidence submitted since the April 2002 rating decision did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome and migraine headaches are related to service, including exposure to malaria in Vietnam. The appeal is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches, dizziness, and facial numbness were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses at a private hospital is being remanded due to the need for clarification on stabilization and transfer issues.

The VA determined that there is no competent or credible evidence linking the Veteran's seizure disorder with headaches to his service, including a foreign body in his eye from service. The Board concurs.

The Veteran is entitled to a higher level of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric conditions. He also has entitlement to a higher level of SMC based on loss of use of both lower extremities prior to September 8, 2003.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents.,Compensation benefits for a prostate disorder were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted for sinus tachycardia, while the Veteran's migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, and hypothyroidism (post thyroidectomy) were rated appropriately.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent for headaches, residuals of a head injury, and his claims for left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, and knee disabilities were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of cervical spine disability, hypertension, migraine headaches, or chronic lung disability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's character of discharge is found to be honorable for VA purposes, and he is granted service connection for PTSD. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure. The claim for migraine headaches remains pending as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability. However, the appellant's current back disability was not clinically evident during service or within an applicable presumptive period, nor is there any probative evidence indicating it may be associated with an established event, injury, or disease in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, hypertension, COPD, and emphysema, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions. The claim was not based on exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) due to the Veteran's lack of service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and a review of his service records.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for migraines from April 9, 2004 through April 2, 2007. The Veteran's service-connected migraines were manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic adaptability during this period.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and personnel records associated with his National Guard service. The claims for service connection will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.