Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for headaches effective from August 27, 1996. The veteran's initial claim was denied in September 1990 but reopened and awarded a rating of 30 percent effective from the date his request to reopen was received.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection on multiple issues, finding that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 50 percent for the appellant's service-connected residuals of a comminuted fracture of the first lumbar vertebra, based on severe limitation of motion with demonstrable vertebral body deformity. The head trauma issue remains at its current 10 percent rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a right ankle condition, allergies, and a neck disorder. The claim for tinea versicolor was also denied, as no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the previous denial of service connection for a foot disorder.

The Board found no evidence of a current disorder manifested by muscle pain of the back and stomach, and denied service connection for these conditions. The appellant's migraine headaches were not considered to be causally related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for headaches and reflux esophagitis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 8100 for headaches.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant a compensable evaluation in any of the cases. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims for increased evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The VA denied a higher evaluation for the veteran's service-connected residuals of skull fracture with chronic headaches, currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's combined rating for his service-connected conditions is 40%, which does not meet the minimum requirement of 60% or more to be eligible for TDIU benefits. The Board finds that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or retain employment, as he can work at home as a network marketer.

The Board denied service connection for fatigue, diarrhea, respiratory symptoms, abnormal growth of the index finger of the left hand, skin rash, and headaches as due to undiagnosed illness related to Gulf War service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim as he was not permanently incapable of self-support prior to reaching the age of 18, and therefore could not be recognized as a helpless child of his veteran father.

The veteran's service connection claims for various symptoms are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1117 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.317, which pertain to Persian Gulf War veterans.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected mixed headache disorder, including migraine and tension headaches, warrants restoration of a 50 percent rating.

The Board granted a 40% evaluation for the veteran's low back disability and found that he is entitled to TDIU benefits based on his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for fibromyalgia with chronic fatigue, migraine headaches, and other service-connected conditions were denied as the evidence did not show symptoms that warranted a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to evaluate the veteran's service-connected headache disorder and his claim of secondary service connection for depression. The RO must also ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board found that the veteran's migraine headaches, bilateral pes planus, and bilateral knee disorders are of service origin. The hearing loss was not shown during service or currently. The low back strain is already rated at its maximum disability level.

The veteran's migraine headaches are manifested by symptoms of frequent attacks and severe pain, causing him to lose time from work. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating have been met.

The Board has granted service connection for certain conditions due to an undiagnosed illness, including cervical strain, migraine headaches, periodontal disease (bleeding gums), respiratory condition, memory loss, problems with bowel movements, and psychiatric disorder. Service connection is denied for other conditions.