Migraines & headaches decisions — 2001

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, as his service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria set forth in the applicable regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to service connection for headaches and a psychiatric disability.

The veteran's migraine headaches are manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, meeting the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches and increased evaluations for his right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities due to failure to report for a necessary VA examination. The claim of PTSD is remanded as additional information regarding the veteran's claimed stressors is needed.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, respiratory disability including sarcoidosis, joint pain, skin condition, and headaches have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or onset within one year of separation.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the veteran's current disabilities and his active service, including hearing loss, back disorder, skin rash, migraine headaches, haziness and forgetfulness with blurred vision, fatigue, and nerve condition. The claims were denied.

The Board granted service connection for dysthymic disorder, bilateral hand disorder, and migraine headaches. Service connection was also granted for uterine leiomyoma and uterine fibroids with a noncompensable evaluation from August 1, 1999 to April 4, 2000.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of pneumonia, residuals of a head injury, and chronic headaches as there was no competent evidence showing current disabilities resulting from these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hiatal hernia with gastritis and duodenitis, a scalp condition, a skin condition, hemorrhoids, migraine headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome, all claimed as due to undiagnosed illnesses during active service in Southwest Asia.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for allergies and headaches. The veteran's current conditions are not shown to be due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the veteran's malaria was incurred during his military service and granted increased evaluations for his psychiatric condition and bursitis. The claims regarding clear and unmistakable error in rating decisions were also addressed, with some issues resolved in favor of the appellant.

The veteran is granted service connection for headaches, insomnia, memory loss, and joint aches as due to an undiagnosed illness during his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The VA has determined that the veteran's anxiety reaction, currently rated at 30 percent, does not warrant a higher rating due to moderate impairment in social functioning.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his status post left knee internal derangement and migraine headache, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The RO denied this claim, finding that there was no evidence to support a request for earlier TDIU effective date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings on an extra-schedular basis and did not find evidence of a valid earlier effective date for TDIU.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his sinus disorder, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on frequent or severe symptoms.

The Board finds that the veteran's headaches do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once per month.

The Board has determined that the appellant was not permanently incapable of self-support before reaching the age of 18, based on the lack of evidence showing such incapacity at or before his 18th birthday.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right ankle sprain and confirmed the presence of a cortico avulsion fracture of the navicular in the right foot. The other conditions are not considered to be related to service.