Migraines & headaches decisions — 2002

The Board found that the veteran did not have any service-connected disabilities related to his exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Board denied all claims for service connection as well as the claim for TDIU due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for metaplasia cell-dysplastic squamous cells (abnormal PAP) and headaches is dismissed due to a failure to file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected migraine headaches, finding that the evidence did not show severe economic inadaptability due to the condition.

The veteran's vascular headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the current evaluation. The evidence does not show frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining whether new evidence supports reopening a claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The veteran's increased rating claim for headaches and his total disability rating claim due to unemployability are also being addressed.

The veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are so severe that they cause very frequent, completely prostrating attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Board has granted a higher initial evaluation from 30 percent to 50 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for headaches and an ear infection, finding that there is no competent evidence linking these current disabilities to a head injury sustained during service.

The Board denied service connection for carcinoma of the colon and denied reopening a claim for migraine headaches, anal bleeding, non-specific urethritis, and mixed contraction and vascular headaches. The veteran's current cancer was first diagnosed more than 20 years after discharge from service, and there is no medical evidence linking it to service. The new evidence submitted did not provide any etiological link between the veteran's claimed conditions and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for migraine headaches, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to service. The RO subsequently reopened the claim but continued to deny it on a de novo basis.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including sinusitis, sinus headaches, tinnitus, chronic otitis media, nasal deformity, and bilateral hearing loss, were not shown by a preponderance of the competent medical evidence to be linked to service, including as due to head trauma sustained in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gastroenteritis and renal failure (also claimed as dizziness, vomiting, and headaches) and tinea versicolor. The issues of muscle and joint pain, insomnia, digestive disorder, and headaches were also addressed but not decided.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of migraine headaches or a left shoulder disability, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied. Service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis was granted but with no compensable evaluation assigned.

The veteran's claims for bilateral otitis media, hearing loss, and a headache disorder were denied as they are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for migraine headaches, finding that the veteran's frequent but manageable headaches meet the criteria for this rating. The left ankle disability is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, right arm disability, and headaches as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that led to these conditions.

The Board finds that the veteran did not sustain any residuals of an eye injury in service and does not have a current right eye disorder. The chronic headaches are not shown to be related to service, and there is no evidence of a low back disorder incurred during service.

The veteran's sinusitis is not productive of incapacitating episodes or recurring non-incapacitating episodes, and no objective symptoms have been documented. Therefore, a compensable evaluation is denied.,The veteran's malunion of the mandible has only moderate impairment, as evidenced by popping and clicking without loss of motion or function. A higher rating is not warranted.,The veteran's cranial nerve dysfunction with muscle spasms results in facial spasms and paresthesia but does not meet criteria for severe or complete paralysis. Therefore, a 10 percent evaluation remains appropriate.,The veteran's headaches have been productive of prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over several months, warranting the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 31, 2000 for service connection for sinusitis with headaches. The veteran argued that he should have received this benefit in 1971 due to a lack of understanding and emotional issues at that time, but the Board found no legal merit as his reopened claim was received on October 31, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than October 4, 1999 for service connection for right eye ocular histoplasmosis syndrome and migraine headaches.,There is no medical evidence prior to October 4, 1999 that would support an earlier effective date.