Migraines & headaches decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, insomnia, and fibromyalgia due to Gulf War exposure. Service connection was denied for the remaining conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches was granted, with a current evaluation of 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a video conference hearing.

Service connection was granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD symptoms. A 50 percent initial disability evaluation was assigned, effective January 29, 2004.,Hypertension and memory loss were not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are rated at 50 percent, but the Board has granted a 100 percent extra-schedular rating due to marked interference with employment.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the Board found that his claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic skin disorder, headaches, and neuropathy in the bilateral lower extremities were denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or manifestations of these conditions during service or post-service. Service connection was not granted as there is insufficient evidence to link any diagnosed conditions to service.

The Veteran's hypertension claim has been reopened, but the Board is remanding her cervical spine and lumbar spine disability ratings as well as her headache disability rating for additional development. The case will be further reviewed after these issues are addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims.

The Veteran's emergency room treatment for a service-connected migraine headache was deemed necessary due to the severity of his condition and the infeasibility of reaching VA facilities within a reasonable time. The Board found that reimbursement should be granted under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1728.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus deformity of the great toes is currently rated at 30 percent, and his vasomotor rhinitis is rated as noncompensable. The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has granted increased ratings for both the bilateral pes planus and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were characterized by prostrating attacks occurring once every three months until January 23, 2009. From January 23, 2009, forward, the Veteran's migraine headaches were characterized by attacks occurring three times a month but not by completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches were increased from noncompensable to a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of June 14, 1999 for his TDIU benefits. The evidence did not show that he was unable to maintain a substantially gainful occupation prior to this date.

The Board finds that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's migraine headaches. The Veteran's service treatment records contain in-service findings consistent with this disability, he has reported continuity of symptomatology since service, and a VA examination diagnosed him with migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA audiological and neurological examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hearing loss and auditory processing disability.

The Board denied service connection for myocardial infarction/heart artery spasms, migraine headaches, and recurrent yeast infections due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to active duty.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches and tinnitus has been granted, and he is now receiving a 30% rating for his anxiety disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, hypertension, headaches, and low back disorders as the evidence did not support a medical nexus between these conditions and service.