Migraines & headaches decisions — 2000

The Board denied service connection for depression and right upper extremity disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome) in March 1990. The veteran's claim for service connection for a right upper extremity disorder characterized as carpal tunnel syndrome is reopened, but the claim remains denied due to lack of evidence linking current disability to service.

The Board has found the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD well grounded and granted it. The issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches is also considered, but no rating or effective date was assigned.

The veteran's PTSD and tension headaches are rated at the highest possible level of disability (100%), which is considered a total disability rating.

The veteran's eligibility for vocational training and rehabilitation benefits was granted, but the inclusion of a computer in his program was denied. The ratings for his left hand injury and special monthly compensation were not addressed.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities for the claimed conditions and denied service connection.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected headache disorder is remanded due to the need for current clinical findings and an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have headaches which are a result of an injury or disease incurred during active service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claim for service connection for headaches, residuals of head injury.

The Board found no current residuals of the head injury and denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The veteran's headaches are already service connected.

The veteran's PTSD rating has been increased to 70 percent, effective from June 1998. The case is remanded for further development of the evidence and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for amblyopia of the left eye and headaches are not well grounded. The cases have been denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and dizziness, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking current symptoms to inservice complaints.

The veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with headaches is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating is not sufficient to reflect his current level of disability.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current headaches to a head injury sustained during service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's attempts to reopen his claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's headaches, concussion, and residuals of head injury are productive of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks that significantly impact his economic adaptability.

The Board has restored a total evaluation for the veteran's skull fracture and closed head injury with associated conditions, including aphasia, decreased mental function, headaches, mild right hemiparesis, and history of dizzy spells.

The veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder and loss of sex drive, is denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection of a headache disorder. The claims for back disorder and temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome were denied as well.

The veteran's appeal is for a higher rating for his service-connected status post barotrauma with vascular headaches, which was previously granted but at a lower rating. The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and conduct a VA examination.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 60 percent, and his migrainoid headaches are rated at 10 percent. The Board has granted the increased rating for the low back condition but denied the request for an increase in the rating for the migrainoid headaches.