Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic headaches are manifested by severe pain, occurring daily and causing some economic inadaptability. The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for residuals of an intracranial injury manifested by headaches and dizzy spells.

The veteran's chronic daily headaches, characterized by prostrating attacks occurring at least once per month, have been found to warrant a 30 percent evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of pneumonia of the left lung and sinusitis with headaches were denied. The claim for an increased rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease with Schatzki's ring and hiatal hernia with stricture was granted, but only up to a 30 percent disability rating from May 6, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and a chronic headache disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claims.

The Board has granted service connection for stress headaches and GERD, with the former receiving a noncompensable rating. The veteran's GERD is manifested by recurrent heartburn without difficulty swallowing or regurgitation.

The VA has determined that the veteran's migraine headaches do not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation, as they are not characterized by prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over several months.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and determined that a separate evaluation for arthritis of the neck is not warranted. The veteran's residuals of a fractured C6 vertebra with degenerative changes are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5235.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the last final denial in October 2002 is not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for headaches.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for headaches as secondary to chicken pox, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and readjudication due to uncertainty regarding whether any current skin disorder or migraine headaches are related to service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the appellant's current headaches to service, and thus denied her claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury.

The veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for migraine headaches and a facial nerve condition was denied by the Board. The veteran is not entitled to an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for her migraine headaches, as her attacks are not productive of severe economic inadaptability. For the facial nerve condition, additional evidence from a VA examination is needed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination to determine the etiology of his headaches.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, PTSD, migraines, and dizziness. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD or show that any claimed conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and Social Security Administration records. The veteran's claim for PTSD is being considered again as well as his secondary service connection claim for headaches.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches, joint pain, and muscle pain are presumed to have been incurred in service due to her service in the Gulf War. The veteran's symptoms were first noted shortly after her return from service and have persisted since then.

The Board has determined that the earliest possible effective date for the grants of service connection is January 24, 2001. The veteran's claim was received on this date and thus no earlier effective date can be granted.

The veteran's claims are being remanded due to the lack of service medical records, and further development is required including obtaining her SMRs and personnel records. The veteran will also be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of her claimed neck disorder, migraine headaches, and fibromyalgia.

The veteran's service-connected maxillary sinusitis and post-traumatic headaches were granted, with a 10% initial rating effective June 1, 1996. Higher ratings for other conditions were also granted.