Migraines & headaches decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to her nonservice-connected disabilities, as they do not prevent her from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and a compensable evaluation for residuals of right hand fracture, base of 1st metacarpal. The appellant's claims were based on direct service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and residuals of a head injury are denied, as well as the claim to reopen his psychiatric disability. The evidence received since the February 1992 rating action is not new and material.

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings were granted, with the exception of the lumbar strain claim which was denied. The veteran is entitled to a 10 percent evaluation for hiatal hernia prior to November 16, 1998, and from that date forward.

The Board has found that the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of trench mouth is well-grounded. The claims for service connection for residuals of pneumonia, head injury, jungle rot of the right foot, and headaches are not well-grounded.

The Board found that the veteran did not timely perfect an appeal to the June 1995 rating decision regarding his claims for service connection for weight loss and loss of appetite, fatigue (alternatively claimed as 'loss of strength'), joint pain, and headaches as chronic disabilities resulting from an undiagnosed illness. The claim was denied due to lack of a timely substantive appeal.

The veteran's claims for service connection for cerebral concussion with headaches, a residual SFW scar on the scalp, and cervical arthritis were not well-grounded. The VA found no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service discharge.

The veteran's cluster headaches were incurred during his active military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition, neuropsychiatric condition and headache secondary to a pterygium. The claim for increased evaluation of pterygium was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection for migraine headaches and a psychiatric condition, finding that the new evidence did not show an increase in severity during service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a back disorder and chronic headache disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The veteran's claims for initial disability evaluations and reductions of those evaluations are being remanded due to the need for clarification regarding her desire for a hearing.

The Board has determined that the claims of service connection for residuals of a head injury, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease are not well grounded. The evidence does suggest that these conditions may be related to service, but further development is required.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded and have been granted. The veteran is now entitled to service connection for headaches, depression, pseudofolliculitis barbae, hypertension, and a gastrointestinal disorder secondary to medication.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for a back condition, headaches, and a psychiatric disability including PTSD. The claims are well-grounded.

The Board denied the appeal because the veteran did not file a timely Substantive Appeal within one year of receiving the Statement of the Case.

The August 17, 1988 rating decision confirmed the veteran's existing disability ratings and did not address special monthly compensation for loss of use of lower extremities or buttocks. The appeal is denied as there was no clear and unmistakable error in this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a head injury, including headaches, stroke, and chronic brain syndrome is not well grounded. There is no competent medical evidence linking any current disabilities to an in-service head injury.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, headaches, and ulcer and hiatal hernia as secondary to the veteran's service-connected PTSD.