Migraines & headaches decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches, residuals of a neck injury, pes planus, sinusitis, allergies, duodenal ulcers, and hernia are not well-grounded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and a low back disorder, as well as his request for an increased evaluation for asthma. The reasons given include that the veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's current conditions of headaches, dizziness, poor circulation, and arthritis of the spine and shoulders to his military service or any incident during such service. The claims are therefore denied.

The VA determined that the veteran does not have a well-grounded claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD or migraine headaches.

The veteran's service-connected disability compensation is subject to recoupment of a special separation benefit in the amount of $58,164.68, with Federal income tax withholding not subject to recoupment.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, respiratory disorder to include asthma, bilateral foot disorder to include bone spurs of the heels, and bilateral ankle disability. Service connection was denied for right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right knee condition, and headaches.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's unemployability is due to his nonservice-connected disabilities, which do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating.

The Board has determined that the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic headaches are not well-grounded because there is no medical evidence showing current disabilities or a relationship to service.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches were not well-grounded due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin rash on the upper arm and denied claims for recurrent neck pain, recurrent back pain, TMJ syndrome, and headaches. The veteran's scar on the chin is rated as zero percent due to its current condition.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for post-operative sinusitis with headaches, finding that the veteran's condition meets the criteria for this increased rating under both old and new VA rating criteria.

The veteran was granted service connection for PTSD based on a combat stressor reported during his Vietnam service.,Service connection for residuals of cervical spine compression fracture and headaches, joint pain, and skin condition including as due to exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) in service is denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for his service-connected migraine headaches was granted, effective February 11, 1997. The earliest date that can be assigned is this date.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including headaches, PTSD, defective vision of the right eye, residuals of injury to the left arm, shoulder, and wrist with vein graft, fractures of the facial bones, and insect bite scar of the right hand. The appeals are all denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic head injury residuals, including headaches, is not well-grounded. The VA does not have evidence to support a finding of chronic residuals from an inservice head injury and no competent medical evidence links current chronic tension headaches to active service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from his second period of service was under dishonorable conditions, creating a bar to VA benefits based on that period. The claims for service connection for headache disorder and right knee disorder are denied as new and material evidence is not submitted. PTSD is also denied as it is not related to the honorable period of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and for an increased rating for stress headaches. The veteran's claim for service connection was not well-grounded, as there is no medical evidence linking her current symptoms to her active service. Her headaches were rated at 30 percent effective May 18, 1995.

The VA has determined that the veteran's post-cerebral concussion with anxiety reaction, headaches, and tinnitus does not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 30 percent. The veteran's tinea versicolor and tinea pedis are currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that some of the veteran's claims are well grounded, while others lack sufficient supporting medical evidence to be considered plausible.