Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for headaches and leg cramps on both secondary and direct bases, respectively. The veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence to determine the current severity of his low back disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her headaches, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than the current 10 percent assigned.

The Board has determined that the residuals of the compression fracture of T-12 are proximately due to or the result of the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for her migraine syndrome, coccyx fracture, left breast scar, and fibrocystic breast disorder. The issues of service connection for a back disorder and neck disorder were also addressed but are pending as they have been remanded.

The veteran's service-connected headaches and bronchial asthma are currently rated at 30 percent each. The Board denied increased disability ratings for these conditions, as well as the temporary total rating based on hospitalization from March 22, 1995 to April 12, 1995.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's headaches with mild dysthymia, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The veteran's service-connected condition does not meet criteria for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches. The veteran is now entitled to service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, kidney stones, muscle and joint pain, respiratory disorder, bleeding from the rectum and penis, fatigue, gastrointestinal disorder, sleep disturbance, headaches, and skin disorder, were denied as they are not attributable to his military service or an undiagnosed illness related to his Gulf War service.

The Board has determined that the initial evaluations for low back disorder and headaches were appropriate, but the RO improperly reduced them to noncompensable ratings.

The veteran's claims for service connection for ulcer disease, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), kidney stone, hearing loss, eye disorder, and headache disorder were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic migraine headaches as a residual of the veteran's in-service head injury. The Board also found that the veteran's residuals of left and right inguinal herniorrhaphies are not compensably disabling.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and headaches, as well as his request for a compensable rating for three gunshot wound scars of the head. The veteran is not entitled to service connection for hearing loss due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for a disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385. Service connection for post-traumatic headaches has been granted, but no rating assigned as there are no current findings or symptoms related to the scars.

The veteran's headaches and depression with associated sleep disorder are found to be related to the May 1996 surgical procedures, which were deemed VA care. The additional disability resulting from these procedures is granted.

The Board finds that the veteran's herpes zoster/shingles, back disability, bilateral foot disabilities, and headaches are service-connected as they are part of an underlying condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and found that he did not meet the requirements for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for right eye disorder, numbness of the lower lip, and recurrent headaches. The veteran's current conditions are believed to be related to his military service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's right wrist and hand disorder, effective from March 5, 1996, excluding periods of temporary total ratings. The veteran also has service connection for migraine.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected status post barotrauma with vascular headaches, finding that it results in impairment equivalent to migraine with characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over the last several months.

The veteran's service-connected stress headaches are rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines, and no further increase in evaluation is warranted.

The veteran seeks service connection for a headache disorder, which he claims is related to spinal anesthesia during his military service. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining medical records and conducting an examination.