Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his migraine headaches, stating that there is no objective medical evidence of frequent prostrating attacks on a monthly basis or more frequently.

The Board found that the veteran's Crouzon's craniofacial dysostosis, to include exophthalmos and headaches, clearly preexisted service and was not aggravated by military service. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and right foot/ankle disabilities are denied. The claim for headaches is not addressed as it was established but not found to be related to service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted with a non-compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected tension headaches, currently rated at 50 percent. The evidence did not show that the veteran's headaches presented an exceptional or unusual disability picture with marked interference with employment.

The veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 60 percent, which does not meet the minimum requirements for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, due to the veteran's unemployability by reason of service-connected disabilities, the case should be submitted to the Director of Compensation and Pension for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and left knee disorder. It is at least as likely as not that these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of meningitis, including his migrainous headaches, warrant a 10 percent initial rating. The decision is based on the medical evidence showing persistent and severe headaches related to the veteran's in-service meningitis.

The Board has granted service connection for right testicular atrophy, finding that it resulted from mumps orchitis during service. The veteran's claims for migraines and enlargement of glands in the groin area were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, finding that there was no evidence linking his current migraines to military service.

The veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease, Schatzki's ring with hiatal hernia, is currently rated at 30 percent disabling effective June 1, 2001. His non-migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent disabling and the maximum schedular evaluation under Diagnostic Code 8100 has not been met.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for viral hepatitis, gastroenteritis, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, post-traumatic headaches (residuals of concussion), and residuals of frostbite of both feet were granted effective January 10, 2000.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection of gastritis (or other gastrointestinal pathology) and chronic headaches. The claim is granted as both conditions are found to be related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and an anxiety disorder with loss of hair, loss of teeth, headache, indigestion and nose bleeds due to insufficient evidence verifying his claimed in-service stressors.

The Board found that the veteran did not have any service-connected disabilities related to his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Board denied all claims for service connection as well as the claim for TDIU due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for metaplasia cell-dysplastic squamous cells (abnormal PAP) and headaches is dismissed due to a failure to file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected migraine headaches, finding that the evidence did not show severe economic inadaptability due to the condition.

The veteran's vascular headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the current evaluation. The evidence does not show frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining whether new evidence supports reopening a claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The veteran's increased rating claim for headaches and his total disability rating claim due to unemployability are also being addressed.

The veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are so severe that they cause very frequent, completely prostrating attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Board has granted a higher initial evaluation from 30 percent to 50 percent.