Migraines & headaches decisions — 2000

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and migraine headaches, finding that the veteran's claims were not well-grounded due to lack of verified stressors in Vietnam.

The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions present during service or within the first post-service year, and denied claims for direct service connection for gastroesophageal reflux, sinusitis, headaches, and a low back condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and residuals of a head injury are not well grounded. The claim for service connection for left knee disorder is well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for headaches, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claim.

The VA has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's status-post craniotomy for subarachnoid hemorrhage with recurrent headaches, effective from September 9, 1997.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left parietal atriovenous malformation with secondary seizure disorder and headaches do not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 40 percent or a compensable evaluation, respectively.

The veteran's service-connected headaches are rated at 30 percent, effective from February 27, 1997. The Board found that the frequency and duration of his headaches did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an effective date prior to September 29, 1959. The appeals were all dismissed as not well grounded.

The veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and bilateral hearing loss were denied, while his claim for an initial rating higher than 0 percent for chronic lateral epicondylitis of the right elbow was also denied.

The Board found no evidence of service-connected PTSD, facial scars, or a low back condition. The veteran's headaches were not linked to his active military service.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for headaches, which he attributes to an assault during his period of active duty. The medical opinions support this assertion.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various undiagnosed illnesses are denied as her complaints have not been objectively confirmed or linked to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including headaches, heart disorder, lung disorder (emphysema), and post-traumatic stress disorder, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his inservice exposure to fluorocarbons. The current medical evidence does not support a link between any of the veteran's diagnosed conditions and his alleged in-service exposures.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, neck pain, a low back disorder, and a heart disorder. The evidence did not support these claims as they were not shown to be related to service or any incident of service.

The veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to March 4, 1997, for the grant of service connection for PTSD and TMJ syndrome were denied.,Service connection for a chronic headache disorder on a direct or secondary basis is granted.

The Board found that there was no competent evidence linking the veteran's current depression to his service-connected migraine with history of idiopathic seizures. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded for further development.

The Board found that the veteran's claims of bilateral hearing loss and headaches were not well-grounded, as there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and substance abuse as secondary to PTSD, and for an increased evaluation of PTSD. The total disability rating based on individual unemployability claim is precluded by law due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for post-traumatic stress disorder, hematoma of the left thigh, and head injury with post-concussion headaches. The appeals were based on service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's cluster headaches warranted a disability rating of 50 percent, effective February 24, 1997. The claim for an increased evaluation was denied.