Migraines & headaches decisions — 2000

The Board found that the veteran's migraine headaches are not proximately due to or the result of her service-connected PTSD. The criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent for her PTSD have also not been met.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected migraine headaches is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination and failure to comply with the last remand instructions.

The Board found no competent medical evidence showing that the veteran suffers from headaches or a neck, back, or shoulder disability related to any incident of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as an impulse control disorder, was incurred in military service. The claim for a higher rating for post-concussion syndrome is granted based on the current disability rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including migraine equivalent headaches with light-headedness and left-sided paresthesias, multiple allergies, lipomas, tinnitus, visual condition, degenerative disc disease at C5-6 and C6-7, diverticulitis (or bowel condition), and pulmonary nodule of the right upper lobe. The Board found no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or exposure to chemicals.

The veteran's headaches, stomach disorder, and muscle and joint pain are accounted for by known clinical diagnoses. The hair loss is not service-connected due to its developmental nature. Service connection was granted for the removal of fat tissue.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded and denied them.

The veteran's combined nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The RO denied service connection and a noncompensable rating for the veteran's claimed conditions, including head concussion with headaches and anxiety neurosis.

The Board denied the appellant's claims, including his request for an increased evaluation for bilateral knee disability and his attempts to reopen previously denied claims for allergic rhinosinusitis, vascular headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to support these claims.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with sciatica and osteoarthritis lumbosacral spine is rated at 20 percent, while his service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated during service and are not presumed to be related to his military service. The stomach, sleep, and heart disabilities have been medically demonstrated after service but do not meet the criteria for an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate as there is no evidence of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks or severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and depression, are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a diagnosis of PTSD or depression related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, sleeplessness, insomnia, nightmares, memory loss, fatigue, muscle condition (loss and soreness), and a psychiatric disorder are not well grounded.

The veteran's claim for reimbursement or payment of unauthorized private outpatient services was denied because the VA did not authorize the services and there were no emergency circumstances warranting such treatment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of objective indications of chronic disabilities and failure to establish a link between in-service exposure and current conditions.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues due to failure to file a timely and adequate substantive appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for bursitis of the left hip and residuals of head trauma with migraine headaches, but these claims remain denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches are not related to his service-connected tinnitus, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.