Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board has granted a higher rating of 50 percent for cluster headaches and denied the claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cardiovascular disorder, excluding hypertension; a skin condition; allergic rhinitis; and a headache disorder. The evidence does not support the presence of any chronic cardiovascular or skin conditions during service or at present.

The Board has determined that the veteran's vascular headaches resembling migraine headaches do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation, as they are not shown to be both completely prostrating and prolonged in nature, or productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board found that the veteran's neurasthenia existed prior to service and was not aggravated by military service. The right arm disorder is also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board found that the reduction in the rating for service-connected migraine headaches from 30 percent to 10 percent was improper and restored the original 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claimed conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting a link between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including memory loss; left ankle disability; and headaches. The claim for increased rating for right ankle disability was also denied.

The Board is remanding the case due to unclear etiology of a mood disorder and potential discrepancies in medical records, requiring further development including an examination for a mood disorder.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claim of service connection for migraine headaches as no substantive appeal was filed. The right knee disability is currently rated at 20% since November 1, 1998.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches, chronic fatigue, and eczema. The veteran's complaints were attributed to known diagnoses and no evidence was found linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability, organic mental disorder, left seventh cranial nerve disability, loss of sense of smell, and head, neck and facial scars are all currently rated at their maximum levels. The cervical spine disability with limitation of motion is granted a 20% rating.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected sinusitis and tension/rebound headaches, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current manifestations of these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected migraine syndrome, right and left small toe conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require a program of vocational rehabilitation under chapter 31, as his education and work experience are sufficient to find suitable employment.

The veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and partial amputations of the left hand were denied. The initial rating assigned for the partial amputations was 10 percent, effective February 28, 1997. The effective dates for both service connection determinations were also set at February 28, 1997.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches secondary to service-connected PTSD and a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD, finding that the veteran's symptoms result in total occupational and social impairment.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches and sinusitis were not incurred in or aggravated by his service, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's VA disability compensation benefits are subject to withholding in order to recoup an erroneous reimbursement of non-disability separation pay received by him, and upheld the RO's decision.

The Board has requested additional examinations and records to determine if the veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and headaches are related to his military service. The case is being remanded for these actions.

The Board denied service connection for joint problems, headaches, chest pain and shakes due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to active duty. The earlier effective date claim was also denied as the veteran's gastrointestinal problems and fatigue were not related to his active service.