Migraines & headaches decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for PTSD with major depression and organic brain syndrome with headaches, dizziness and tinnitus was denied as his claim is a freestanding claim that cannot be considered due to the finality of previous rating decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a neck/upper back disability, migraine headaches, or right lung disorder due to service. Service connection is granted for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to missing service treatment records and the need for additional examinations. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are pending.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and dizziness, finding no current disability in either condition. The Veteran's claims were based on his belief that he developed these conditions during military service, but the VA records did not support this claim.

The Veteran's headaches are manifested by daily constant headaches, with prostrating attacks accompanied by nausea, photophobia, and occasional vomiting occurring two to three times per month. The current evaluation of 30 percent is deemed adequate as it reflects the severity and symptomatology of his condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's death due to chronic drug use was not service-connected, as there is no evidence showing a direct link between his military service and the cause of death. The medications prescribed for his service-connected disabilities were considered but did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty. The Board finds that the Veteran's sleep apnea did not develop due to his service-connected closed head injury.

The Veteran's nasal disability and headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board finds no evidence of a current lung disability related to asbestos exposure during service, nor any residuals of cold injury. The Veteran's claim for residuals of a fractured arm is pending as the medical records have not been obtained yet.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 10 percent, the maximum available rating. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his stomach disorder and increase his headache rating were both granted. However, the Veteran's headaches are still rated at 30 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and headaches did not manifest within one year of separation from service, and there is no evidence of a continuity of symptoms. The VA examiner determined that these conditions are not related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected cluster headaches, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic headache disorder is a result of aggravation during service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected bladder trauma with neurogenic bladder and hydronephrosis is manifested by awakening to void five or more times per night, warranting a 40% disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The claims of increased rating for headaches and service connection for a jaw injury resulting in trauma to teeth numbers 24, 25, 30, and 31 are pending.

The Veteran's claims for stomach cramps, right hand disorder, joint tenderness, blurred vision, left side chest pain, and headaches are denied as there is no competent medical evidence of a current disability or link to service.,There is no diagnosed chronic condition related to the claimed disorders in question. The Veteran has not provided any credible evidence that her current conditions are related to her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic headaches, finding that his suboccipital neuralgia did not manifest during active service or within a presumptive period and was not related to any incident of service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, headaches, sleeplessness, and chronic fatigue have been granted. The appeals are based on direct evidence of a current disability that is related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches and bilateral pinguecula are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability, thus denying both claims.

The Veteran's headaches, bilateral knee disability, and residuals of ankle sprains are all found to be service-connected.