Migraines & headaches decisions — 2002

The VA determined that the veteran's additional disability was not caused by negligence or fault on the part of VA, and thus denied his claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, to include a headache disorder, and for a variously diagnosed gastrointestinal disorder claimed as secondary to a headache disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her cervical spine disorder and headaches, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The veteran's chronic headaches have been rated at 50 percent since July 1, 1995 and increased to 50 percent effective June 16, 2000. The maximum schedular evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code is granted.

The veteran's service-connected headaches and ear pain are not rated higher than the current 10 percent. The claim for major depression has been reopened, but no new evidence was provided to support it.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including headaches, arthralgias, esophageal mass and gastroesophageal reflux disease with esophagitis, duodenal ulcer disease, psychological impotence, fatigue, sinus bradycardia, and skin disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the veteran's service.

The veteran's claims for various conditions were denied by the RO. The Board found that none of these conditions are related to service, and some may be secondary to asbestos exposure.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. However, the Board also determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the current headache disability to service.

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection for migraine headaches were denied. The left knee disorder is characterized by range of motion from zero to 115 degrees, without instability or other significant impairment. Right knee chondromalacia does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation. Mechanical low back pain is not productive of lumbosacral strain with specific symptoms. Sinusitis is not moderate and does not result in incapacitating episodes requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment. Migraine headaches are not service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, headaches, a right hip disability, and a low back disability. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or causation in service.

The veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and degenerative changes of the right and left knees are currently rated at 10 percent each, and no higher. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions warrant an increased evaluation.

The veteran's appeal of the denial of his claim that new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for headaches and memory loss was dismissed because he did not file a timely substantive appeal within one year of the July 1997 decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, back disability, and kidney disability as they were not shown by competent medical evidence to have a nexus or relationship to service or exposure to herbicides during service.

The Board found that the veteran's liver injury with massive abdominal hemorrhage pre-existed service and is not considered to have been aggravated by service. The other conditions were either not shown during service or are not presumed to be related to service.

The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of service connection for headaches, as there was insufficient medical nexus evidence linking current headaches to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a headache disorder due to undiagnosed illness, finding that the veteran does not currently have these conditions.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches due to new and material evidence submitted since the June 1997 RO rating decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death due to a lack of evidence linking his cancer, which caused his death, to his period of active military service or exposure to Agent Orange during service. The appellant's contentions were not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The veteran's skin disorder, memory loss, eye disorder, lung disorder, and stomach disorder have not been linked to his service. The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for an undiagnosed illness due to Gulf War service. His current conditions are considered direct service connection cases.