Migraines & headaches decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board is remanding the case to allow for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus with headaches, impaired vision and boils, including as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass graft and entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for peripheral vascular disease, both lower extremities, for the period August 5, 1985 to January 12, 1998.

The Veteran's vascular headaches have been rated at 50% since March 13, 2006 and granted a higher initial evaluation.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a headache, hearing loss, neck disability, low back disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and eye disability, were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service incurrence.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for muscle tension headaches, sinusitis, allergies and hay fever, and back disability as secondary to service-connected TMJ disease, right jaw tumor residuals.,An effective date prior to December 29, 1978, is not warranted for the award of service connection for right 5th cranial nerve numbness, right jaw tumor residual.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not competent to manage his financial affairs and therefore, he is not competent for the purpose of receiving direct payment of his VA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, other than headaches (claimed as cerebral concussion) is denied. The Board finds that there are no current residuals of the in-service head injury other than headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 10 percent, effective from June 25, 2004. The claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability (back disorder) is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for astigmatism has been withdrawn.,There is no evidence of any residuals from the in-service head trauma, other than headaches. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy.,The Veteran currently has dermatitis affecting less than 5% of his total body and exposed surface area with intermittent itchy areas on the forehead and temples. He is assigned an initial compensable rating for this condition.,Prostatic hypertrophy is currently asymptomatic, but the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of prostatic hypertrophy.

The Veteran's initial ratings for migraines and a right knee disability have been granted, with the migraine rating set at 10 percent. The right knee disability has an initial rating of 10 percent, which was later increased to 30 percent effective March 5, 2010.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for migraine headaches and left knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for myasthenia gravis was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The initial 30 percent evaluation remains in effect.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as she does not have a current disability recognized by VA. Her claim for headaches, however, remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches. The Veteran's claim of a disorder manifested by urinary frequency is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's chronic headaches, neck disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are all found to be related to her active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and headaches due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses. The evidence did not show objective indications of such conditions during service or within one year after discharge.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current headaches and temporal intracerebral hematoma associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition and headaches, as new and material evidence has been received. The claim of service connection for a skin disorder is related to an undiagnosed illness during service, while the claim of service connection for headaches is due to recurrent symptoms since returning from Iraq.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected coronary artery disease and migraines.