Migraines & headaches decisions — 2000

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected post traumatic concussive syndrome manifested by persistent, recurrent headaches and positional vertigo, finding that a rating higher than 10 percent was not warranted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for the claimed conditions, including severe headaches, dizziness, clouded vision, eye sensitivity to bright lights, reddening of the eyes, and eye leakage (tears), due to mustard gas exposure is denied as there is no objective evidence linking these disabilities to his mustard gas exposure.

The Board found that there is no current disability associated with the claimed head injury other than headaches, and thus denied the claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury other than associated with headaches. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for headaches was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and gout, but denied service connection for a heart disorder. The veteran's bilateral foot disorder (gout) is also considered well grounded.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple sclerosis, prevented him from obtaining gainful employment and granted basic eligibility for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.

The Board has granted a compensable evaluation for gastroesophageal reflux disease and found service connection for headaches, but denied the claims for fatigue and memory loss as well as chest pain and aching joints and shoulder pain due to lack of evidence supporting their onset during active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the hands, brain damage, ulcers in the mouth and on the lips, hypertension, headaches, digestive problems, dizziness and disequilibrium, and sexual problems. The denial is based on a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of service.

The Board found that the veteran's current headaches are related to his in-service headaches, and granted service connection for headache disability.

The Board denied service connection for intermittent explosive personality disorder and hypertension, finding no competent evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and military service.,For the right knee disability, the veteran's complaints included pain with objective evidence of crepitance. For the left knee disability, the veteran also complained of pain with objective evidence of crepitance.

The veteran's sinusitis with headaches and deviated septum are rated at 30%, while a separate 10% rating is granted for the deviated nasal septum. The scar of the right side of the nose and the scar of the external canthus of the right eye both warrant increased ratings to 10%. The combined disability evaluation is now 40%.

The Board found that the appellant's claim for service connection for back disability is not well grounded due to lack of a chronic disability in service and inconsistent post-service medical history.,The Board also denied claims for service connection for right ankle disability, headaches, epitaxis (nose bleeds), and kidney stones.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current ankle disorders, headaches, or stomach disorder to his service. The claims were denied as they did not meet the criteria for well-groundedness.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded and therefore denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid dysfunction and dermatitis are not well grounded. The claim of shortness of breath as due to an undiagnosed illness was denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for postoperative residuals of sebaceous cysts of the scrotum is granted.,The veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for a mixed headache disorder and for residuals of viral meningitis with low back pain, as well as compensable ratings for sinusitis, right shoulder tendonitis, and residuals of viral meningitis with cervical rigidity are considered well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic headaches, finding that his current headache disorder is not causally related to his head injury sustained in service.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches with nausea and lumbosacral strain due to undiagnosed illness, finding the evidence did not support a well-grounded claim.

The veteran meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for congenital transitional L5 vertebra, degenerative low back instability, and residuals of a head injury (including headaches), finding that the preexisting conditions were not aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those potentially related to Agent Orange exposure, were denied.