Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's initial ratings for headaches and bilateral wrist arthritis were denied as there was no evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging once a month over the last several months, or less frequent attacks warranting a noncompensable rating. The initial staged ratings for degenerative arthritic changes of the right and left wrists met the criteria for 10 percent ratings.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability and migraine headaches. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches, kidney pain, chest pain, abdominal pain, tremors, and dermatitis are not disabilities eligible for service connection or have not been shown to be related to TCE exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of his claim for a left hand disability. The remaining conditions were found to be related to his military service and assigned initial noncompensable evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and a search for private treatment records are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims. The Veteran is also denied service connection for sciatica of the right lower extremity, tension headaches secondary to hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records from various providers, including Emory University and doctors in Bowman Grey and Greenhawk.

The Board has awarded service connection for residuals of jaw surgery, characterized by facial numbness. The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and eye injuries are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and a skin disorder or rash on her lower back, finding no current diagnosis of either condition. The Veteran was diagnosed with herpes in April 2007.

The Board reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches and granted it effective from February 26, 2004.

The Veteran's headaches and PTSD have been granted service connection, but his stomach disability has not. The initial evaluation for PTSD was increased to 50 percent.

The Board found no evidence of post-polio syndrome in service or subsequent to service, and concluded that the Veteran's current symptoms are not related to his period of active military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were not chronic in service and are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability evaluation for migraine headaches from 30 percent to 10 percent, effective December 1, 2007 was not appropriate and restored the original 30 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and depression, due to lack of evidence supporting their onset or association with service.

The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current TBI, to include headaches, to service. The VA treatment records do not show a continuity of symptomatology from service to the present. Therefore, service connection for TBI is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at a noncompensable level, but the Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent based on evidence showing characteristic prostrating attacks occurring at least once a month over several months.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure in duty to assist and jurisdictional issues. The Veteran's claims for service connection are now pending again with the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported injuries during service did not result in current disabilities and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's vascular headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.