Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's respiratory condition represents an undiagnosed illness attributable to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Board granted an initial noncompensable evaluation for migraine headaches from July 7, 2002 to April 10, 2003 and then a compensable (10%) evaluation starting on April 11, 2003. The veteran's condition was found to meet the criteria for a 10% evaluation based on characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once every two months.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, migraine headaches, and vertigo due to lack of verified in-service stressors. The claim for service connection for PTSD was not granted as there is no evidence that the claimed stressors occurred during service.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's thyroid disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on his symptoms or manifestations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic right ear infection and for increased ratings for TMJ syndrome. The rating for TMJ with headaches was granted, but at a lower level than requested.

The Board found that the veteran does not have migraine headaches of service origin and denied his claim for service connection.

The case is being remanded to the RO for further action, including scheduling a travel board hearing and considering the veteran's claims.

The veteran's headaches are rated at the highest schedular evaluation of 50 percent, effective from the date service connection was granted. The right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities each receive a 30 percent rating.

The RO will conduct further development to determine the current severity of the appellant's left knee condition and whether he has any other service-connected disabilities.,The RO will attempt to verify the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD and schedule a VA mental disorders examination to assess the nature and extent of any diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The examiner will also be asked to determine if the appellant's headaches, weight loss, diminished sex drive, or sleep disorder are due to undiagnosed illness.,The RO will attempt to verify the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD and schedule a VA mental disorders examination to assess the nature and extent of any diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The examiner will also be asked to determine if the appellant's headaches, weight loss, diminished sex drive, or sleep disorder are due to undiagnosed illness.,The RO will attempt to verify the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD and schedule a VA mental disorders examination to assess the nature and extent of any diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The examiner will also be asked to determine if the appellant's headaches, weight loss, diminished sex drive, or sleep disorder are due to undiagnosed illness.,The RO will attempt to verify the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD and schedule a VA mental disorders examination to assess the nature and extent of any diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The examiner will also be asked to determine if the appellant's headaches, weight loss, diminished sex drive, or sleep disorder are due to undiagnosed illness.,The RO will attempt to verify the claimed in-service stressors for PTSD and schedule a VA mental disorders examination to assess the nature and extent of any diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including PTSD. The examiner will also be asked to determine if the appellant's headaches, weight loss, diminished sex drive, or sleep disorder are due to undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claims for migraine headaches and a back disorder, as well as his claim for service connection for passive-aggressive personality disorder (schizotypal personality disorder). The RO determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been denied as she does not currently suffer from this condition. The claims for service connection for a headache disability and hypoglycemia are pending further evaluation.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The headaches claim is denied as the evidence does not show characteristic prostrating attacks, while the low back and neck disability claims are based on the current rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder, shoulder disorder (unspecified), neck disorder, and left ear hearing loss. The Board also found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen claims of service connection for headaches and hypertension. Additionally, the Board denied a claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for PTSD and a claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection for intraocular imbalance with cataracts and hypertension, head injury with residual headaches, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's claim is currently pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her posttraumatic headaches as there is no evidence of multi-infarct dementia associated with her brain trauma and her headaches are not prostrating in nature. The current 10% disability evaluation under Diagnostic Code 8045-9304 is appropriate.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headaches and visual disability were incurred during his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining SSA records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple sclerosis and dementia, have resulted in a level of incapacity consistent with loss of use of both feet. Therefore, SMC based on loss of use of both feet is granted.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate reasons and bases used in the analysis of his PTSD claim, as well as other service connection claims. The case will be returned to the Board after further evidentiary development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to determine the existence and etiology of her claimed conditions, including service connection for residuals of a head injury with headaches, PTSD, incontinence, and chronic cervicitis.