Migraines & headaches decisions — 2012

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, chronic tinnitus, and a chronic headache disorder are not addressed as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 60 percent, but the claim for a higher rating remains denied.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and the claim for a higher rating remains denied.,The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the claim for a higher rating remains denied.,The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the claim for a higher rating remains denied.,The Veteran's partial avulsion of right biceps muscle is not compensable, as it approximates slight limitation of function of Muscle Group V.,The Veteran's fungal infection of the bilateral feet is rated at 10 percent, but no more. The scars are painful on examination.,The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent, and the claim for a higher rating remains denied.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, and the claim for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's initial ratings for migraines, GERD, and hypertension have been granted but are currently at noncompensable levels. The Board found that the Veteran's migraines do not meet criteria for a higher rating due to their frequency of attacks being less than severe economic inadaptability. For GERD, the Board determined there is no evidence of dysphagia or significant impairment of health warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headache disorder is attributable to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable on an extraschedular basis, as his combined rating is at least 40% and he has the ability to engage in sedentary employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, balance disorder, and foot disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of treatment for these conditions during active duty or prior to 2003, following a motor vehicle accident. The Board also determined that the Veteran is not credible regarding her assertions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches and dizziness were not incurred or aggravated by military service, nor are they proximately due to his service-connected hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board finds that service connection for a vision disorder is not warranted as there is no current disability. For a psychiatric disorder, the Veteran's symptoms are better described by chronic adjustment disorder with mixed emotions and anxiety rather than PTSD. The VA examiner did not provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the chronic adjustment disorder is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic headaches and their impact on his ability to work. The Veteran is also requested to provide updated medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and records. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches are pending.

The Veteran's low back, hip and migraine headaches disabilities were not shown to be related to service. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for the claimed conditions, including migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, left ankle osteoarthritis and ankylosis of bilateral hand, fingers, wrist, elbow, shoulder disorders.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed headache disability is not related to service and denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bladder dysfunction, headaches, and bowel dysfunction (IBS) have been rated at the maximum available benefit since May 18, 2010.

The Veteran's scar of the left cheek is rated at 30 percent since January 3, 2012. His migraine headaches are currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and service connection for sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted a higher initial disability evaluation of 30 percent effective March 16, 2009. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches has been denied as his headaches have not met the criteria for a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 8100, which requires characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once every two months over several months.

The Veteran's disabilities, including nerve and stomach symptoms, sore joints, headaches, and fatigue are found to be related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).