Migraines & headaches decisions — 2000

The veteran's skin disability, fibrocystic breast disease, and migraine headache disability are all found to be related to her period of active military service.

The veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a shell fragment wound to the head with headaches is granted as these conditions are deemed to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, skin condition, sinusitis, and headaches are not well grounded. The claim for sleep apnea is granted as it was incurred in service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected headaches do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as they did not produce characteristic prostrating attacks averaging at least one every two months over several months.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, migraine headaches at 50 percent, and right elbow tendonitis at 10 percent. The rating for arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains unchanged.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of the need for aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound due to his disabilities, including multiple lumbar diskectomies, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, varicose veins, migraine headaches, and occasional bowel and bladder incontinence. The evidence showed that he was able to attend to personal needs and perform light household chores with assistance.

The appellant is entitled to payment of special monthly compensation at the rate prescribed by 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(p) from July 25, 1991 to May 20, 1992 based on an erroneous award notification letter.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for service-connected cluster headaches, effective from the date of separation from active duty on August 31, 1997. The claim for residuals of right Achilles tendonitis is also granted.

The Board finds that the veteran's non-migraine headaches are related to his service-connected residuals of left and right TMJ arthroplasty, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded and therefore denied. The veteran is currently rated at 50% for eczematoid dermatitis.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection of residuals of a left knee injury, head injury, and shoulder injury are not well-grounded. The appellant's left shoulder condition is found to be due to an in-service injury.

The veteran's service-connected depression is found to be the cause of his headaches. The claim for arthritis of the left arm due to injury is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury. The veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, diagnosed during service, is well grounded and granted.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for headaches on a secondary basis is not well-grounded and therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, bilateral foot disability, and headaches are not well grounded. The claim for a higher original rating for residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left neck is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, a chronic ear condition, sinusitis, and headaches due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including pain and numbness in the upper extremities, headaches, generalized osteoarthritis (claimed as arthritis of the whole body), sinusitis, asthma, and breathing problems. The appeals were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary to another condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, tension headaches, bursitis of the left shoulder, sinusitis, and neck pain are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link between any claimed conditions and active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various undiagnosed illnesses are granted. PTSD was also found to be incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, stomach disorder, back disorder, and labyrinthitis are not well-grounded. As a result, these claims have been denied.

The VA denied service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder of the face, feet, and left hand, temporomandibular joint syndrome, locking jaw, headaches, and other unspecified disorders. The decision is based on lack of evidence supporting these claims.