Migraines & headaches decisions — 2000

The veteran's service-connected headaches due to undiagnosed illness are manifested by headaches occurring at least once a month and impairing his function, warranting a 30 percent disability evaluation from the beginning of the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, including migraine headaches and cognitive impairment, is not well grounded due to lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for lichen striatus and muscle tension headaches, with noncompensable ratings initially assigned. The veteran is entitled to a schedular rating of 10% for his muscle tension headaches from the effective date of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for pes planus of the left foot and assigned a noncompensable rating.,Service connection was denied for left knee disorder, hiatal hernia, and migraine headaches as these claims are not well grounded.

The VA denied increased ratings for post-concussion cerebellar dysfunction, post-concussion occipital headaches and dizziness, and traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine. The disabilities are rated based on their current manifestations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and neck disability, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a concussion of the brain, are not well-grounded. The veteran does not have current disabilities related to these issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and migraine headaches, as well as his claim for an increased rating for hypertension. The RO assigned a noncompensable (0 percent) rating for folliculitis. The veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for hypertension effective February 1996.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded as there is no medical evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available.,Service connection for a skin disorder of the feet and headaches has been granted.

The veteran's headaches are not rated higher than 10 percent.,Other conditions, including muscle and joint pains, bleeding gums, rash, weight gain, and psychiatric disability, do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The veteran's chronic headaches are rated at 10 percent, while his anxiety disorder is currently rated as 10 percent. The decision on the increased rating for headaches remains pending.

The VA determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for headaches and seizure disorder was denied due to a lack of medical evidence supporting her claims.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of a closed head injury do not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as his symptoms are primarily subjective and do not indicate any neurological disability or multi-infarct dementia.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar myositis does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or other disabling symptoms.,For his right shoulder tendonitis, the Board determined a compensable evaluation was not warranted due to normal range of motion and lack of objective findings of pain or disability.,Regarding migraine headaches, the Board concluded that a compensable evaluation was not warranted based on the veteran's testimony and examination results.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection as there was no medical evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.

The veteran is entitled to a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to his combined non-service-connected disabilities, which include a dependent personality disorder and chronic headaches. His age, education, and work experience support the conclusion that he is unemployable.

The veteran's headaches and seborrheic dermatitis were found to meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating each, with no systemic or nervous manifestations warranting higher ratings. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded for several of his conditions, including headaches, right shoulder disability, low back pain, bilateral knee disability, impotency, and shortness of breath. The claim for PTSD is considered well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tension headaches warrant a 30 percent evaluation, and he is entitled to reopen his claim of service connection for hypertension. The eye condition secondary to hypertension remains under appeal.

The veteran's unauthorized emergency room visits for migraine headaches were denied payment or reimbursement as the conditions did not meet the criteria of a medical emergency requiring immediate action.