Migraines & headaches decisions — 2001

The veteran's service-connected post traumatic migraine headaches were reclassified and assigned a 50 percent rating effective July 30, 2000.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including residuals of a left knee injury, low back disorder, neck disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and migraine headaches. The right knee disability was rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating for her service-connected migraine headaches was denied by the RO, and referral for such consideration was also denied.

The RO denied the appellant's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected shrapnel wounds and headaches, finding that the current manifestations of these conditions do not warrant higher evaluations.

The veteran's service-connected vestibular apparatus dysfunction and headaches are rated at their current levels, with no higher initial evaluations granted.

The veteran's service-connected headaches are rated at 50 percent, the highest rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The TDIU claim is granted.

The veteran's service records do not show any diagnosis or treatment for chronic headaches. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for headaches and also denied his attempt to reopen a previously denied claim for residuals of a fracture of the pelvis. The Board found that there was no new and material evidence submitted, and concluded that the appellant's pre-existing headache disorder did not worsen during military service.

The Board has denied service connection for headaches and leg cramps on both secondary and direct bases, respectively. The veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence to determine the current severity of his low back disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her headaches, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than the current 10 percent assigned.

The Board has determined that the residuals of the compression fracture of T-12 are proximately due to or the result of the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for her migraine syndrome, coccyx fracture, left breast scar, and fibrocystic breast disorder. The issues of service connection for a back disorder and neck disorder were also addressed but are pending as they have been remanded.

The veteran's service-connected headaches and bronchial asthma are currently rated at 30 percent each. The Board denied increased disability ratings for these conditions, as well as the temporary total rating based on hospitalization from March 22, 1995 to April 12, 1995.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's headaches with mild dysthymia, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The veteran's service-connected condition does not meet criteria for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches. The veteran is now entitled to service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, kidney stones, muscle and joint pain, respiratory disorder, bleeding from the rectum and penis, fatigue, gastrointestinal disorder, sleep disturbance, headaches, and skin disorder, were denied as they are not attributable to his military service or an undiagnosed illness related to his Gulf War service.

The Board has determined that the initial evaluations for low back disorder and headaches were appropriate, but the RO improperly reduced them to noncompensable ratings.

The veteran's claims for service connection for ulcer disease, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), kidney stone, hearing loss, eye disorder, and headache disorder were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic migraine headaches as a residual of the veteran's in-service head injury. The Board also found that the veteran's residuals of left and right inguinal herniorrhaphies are not compensably disabling.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and headaches, as well as his request for a compensable rating for three gunshot wound scars of the head. The veteran is not entitled to service connection for hearing loss due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for a disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385. Service connection for post-traumatic headaches has been granted, but no rating assigned as there are no current findings or symptoms related to the scars.