Migraines & headaches decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of a VA examination.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for migraines, effective February 1, 1999. The Veteran's left hamstring disability and fractured right zygoma remain rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's tension headaches are not considered prostrating, and she has service connection for bilateral shin splints. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for service connection based on direct evidence of a chronic condition during service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating by reason of individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding her employment status and functional impairment caused by her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches was denied as there is no causal relationship between the current cluster headache disability and his in-service noise exposure or head injury. The issue of a higher rating for gastritis with gastroesophageal reflux disease remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an effective date earlier than March 22, 1994 for the grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities have been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of eye, chest, and right shoulder injuries, as well as headaches secondary to an eye injury, and right hand and arm disabilities are all denied. The threshold legal requirements for establishing these claims are not met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and readjudication of the increased rating claim for headaches. The TDIU issue is also pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and readjudicating his service connection claim for migraine headaches on both direct and secondary bases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability, hypertension, and headaches was reopened. Service connection was granted for the left knee disability with a rating of 10 percent effective from September 2005.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and other procedural issues.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for additional development due to conflicting medical findings and a need for clarification.

The Board found the appellant's account of a motor vehicle accident during service to be credible, but not competent or credible for establishing a relationship between his current disabilities and that event. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the May 1998 rating decision does not relate to the unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims of service connection for a headache disorder and residuals of a head injury, and thus cannot be considered new and material. As such, the claims may not be reopened.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were not productive of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability before May 25, 2007. From May 25, 2007, the criteria for a rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches have been met.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not found to meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed headaches and neurological symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his left ankle disability, irritable bowel syndrome, nonspecific dermatitis of the back (formerly described as vitiligo), and sediment deposits on the brain with enlarged sella turcica and headaches do not warrant a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, chronic headaches, and coronary artery disease with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were denied. The Veteran's mood disorder claim is remanded to the RO.

The Veteran's service connection for migraine headaches was granted, but the Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The reduction in the disability evaluation for a respiratory disorder including sinus, lung, throat, and headache with loss of concentration was proper. The criteria for a compensable evaluation have not been met.,The reduction in the disability evaluation for a back pain condition was proper only to the extent that a reduction to 10 percent was warranted.