Migraines & headaches decisions — 2000

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for a Statement of the Case on issues related to service connection on an Agent Orange basis.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, headaches, and right ear hearing loss are not well grounded. The claim for an increased evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder is also not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and for increased ratings for HIV syndrome. The veteran was not found to have a chronic migraine headache disorder, and his HIV syndrome did not meet criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to January 6, 1997 or in excess of 30 percent since that date.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a coma, including headaches and dizziness. The medical records do not show any clear-cut neurological residuals related to an in-service hospitalization.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and residuals of a head injury, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of cluster headaches and dismissed his appeal regarding whether a timely notice of disagreement was received following August 11 and October 7, 1998 rating actions.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise with respect to the veteran's claim of service connection for the residuals of a head injury, including headaches. By extending the benefit of the doubt to the veteran, the Board concludes that service connection is warranted.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits on account of being housebound is denied because he does not have a single disability rated or ratable at 100 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including as secondary to herbicide exposure, were denied.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension, migraine headaches, and residuals of snow blindness were not related to service. The claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, hypertension, fatigue and sleep problems, knee pain, memory loss, a skin disorder, headaches, and a sinus condition. The reasons given were that there was no medical evidence of these conditions in service or during the presumptive period, and that they did not meet the criteria for service connection due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for a back disability and headaches due to exposure to hazardous materials, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions are not well grounded. The RO denied these claims in August 1991, and they remain denied as new evidence did not reopen them.

The veteran's chronic headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all found to be related to his military service.

The Board has found that the veteran's chronic headaches are service-connected. However, his claims for bilateral foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral wrist disorder, cardiovascular disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are not well-grounded.

The Board finds that the veteran's claims for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and service connection for post-traumatic vascular headaches and headaches secondary to PTSD are well-grounded, and grants these claims.

The veteran's headaches have been rated at a 30 percent level, which is the highest rating available for migraine headaches. The VA determined that his condition meets the criteria for this higher rating based on frequent and prostrating attacks of headaches.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a chronic headache disability, memory loss, vertigo, or sleep disturbance due to an undiagnosed illness. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board found no evidence of chronic disabilities related to the claimed conditions during service or that are otherwise linked to service, thus denying all claims for service connection.