Migraines & headaches decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee pain, diarrhea as a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness, headaches as a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness, dizziness as a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness, fatigue as a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness, and numbness of the hands as a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated based on the current evidence of record. The evaluations are consistent with the severity and nature of his disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and residuals of a neck injury, finding no medical evidence to support these claims. The claim for an increased rating for postoperative recurrent right shoulder dislocation was also denied as there is not enough evidence showing that the veteran's current disability level warrants a higher evaluation than 20 percent.

The Board found that the injuries sustained by the veteran on June 29, 1985 were due to his own willful misconduct.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety, is not well grounded due to lack of medical evidence linking it to service or a service-connected disability. The claim for headaches was found to be well grounded based on head trauma sustained in service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating for his psychological headaches, musculoskeletal disorder with anxiety and depression. The veteran's headaches represent the major degree of disability in this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that they were not well-grounded and did not meet the criteria for service connection under applicable regulations.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal as there was no timely substantive appeal filed.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for major depression on a secondary basis is not well grounded and denied it. The issue of an increased rating for vascular headaches with migraine components was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches, claimed as a residual of a head injury during service, is not well-grounded due to lack of medical evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic headache disorder were denied. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for otitis media, pes planus, headaches and dizziness, hiatal hernia with GERD, and prostate disorder are well grounded. The claim of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for prostate disorder is also considered well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition of the hands and feet, aching joints, fatigue, and headaches as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for mixed tension and migraine headaches, but denied an initial compensable evaluation. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct examinations.

The Board denied service connection for headaches claimed as secondary to cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities, and residuals of a left iliac bone graft with nerve damage. The claim for hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected Organic Brain Syndrome with Post Concussion Migraine Headaches and Compression Fracture of L2 were denied. The Board found that the veteran's headaches did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation, but his compression fracture was rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before a decision can be made on the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for her migraine headaches is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a comprehensive VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's migraine headaches and exotropia with double vision did not worsen during service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, headache disorder, hypertension, and left knee disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service disease or injury leading to these conditions.