Migraines & headaches decisions — 2001

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected left hand disorder, neuropsychiatric disorder (conversion reaction), and residuals of his head injury (chronic brain syndrome).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headache, duodenal ulcer, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and PTSD. The veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal within the required time limits.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed low back disorder, lung condition, skin rash of the armpits and groin, headaches, and a disorder manifested by numbness and tingling of the fingers and toes, all secondary to exposure to herbicides during service. The preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.

The veteran is seeking service connection for various mental conditions, chronic headaches, bilateral hearing loss and scars on the left rib cage area. The RO has ordered additional development to determine if there is a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for narcolepsy, gastroenteritis, residuals of a head injury (including headaches), and bilateral defective hearing. The veteran's symptoms have been documented in various medical records since his separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to changes in VA regulations, including the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The claims for service connection and evaluations are being reviewed with additional evidence and examinations.

The Board has granted an effective date of December 24, 1986 for the award of service connection for migraine headaches.

The veteran is seeking service connection for various symptoms, including headaches, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, dizziness, cognitive disorder, and gastrointestinal issues (including diarrhea), as due to an undiagnosed illness related to his Persian Gulf War service. The appeal is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not shown to be related to service, including his Persian Gulf War service. The RO denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability was not warranted earlier than March 7, 1995.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for migraine headaches and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran's condition is rated at 50% disabling, but his employment status was not found to be significantly impacted by his migraines.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The RO has developed all evidence necessary, but the residuals of shrapnel wounds are not shown to warrant higher ratings.

The Board has found the veteran's testimony and the corroborating information from his spouse concerning a continuity of headaches following the veteran's discharge from service to be credible, and it is satisfied that the preponderance of the evidence supports the veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for higher evaluations for his low back disorder, left ulnar nerve neuropathy, migraine headaches, and mood disorder with major depressive features. The claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder is pending. The appellant's irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease have not been granted a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 as there was no evidence showing that appellant's sinus disorder and headaches resulted from a cervical myelogram performed at VA hospital in 1972.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including stressor verification and medical evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, including headaches and dizziness. The evidence submitted since the December 1997 final decision is not new and material to reopen the claim.

The Board found that the veteran's current headaches are not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to insufficient examination findings and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, specifically dementia, cortical atrophy, Tourette's syndrome, and other neurological disorders. The RO is instructed to obtain additional medical records, schedule examinations for the veteran, and readjudicate the claims.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.