Migraines & headaches decisions — 2002

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for atypical migraine with tension headaches, as his headaches do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The veteran's claimed headache disorder was not shown during service and is not related to any incident of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for headaches has been denied.

The veteran's notice of disagreement was not timely filed within one year from the date of the December 1997 and January 1998 rating decisions, thus his appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches and a cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headache and back disorders, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen these final decisions.

The veteran's current headache disorder is due to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, and service connection for this disorder is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for headaches due to an undiagnosed illness, finding that there was no medical evidence indicating that his complaints of headaches were attributable to an undiagnosed illness related to his service in the Persian Gulf War.

The VA has denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for the veteran's anxiety reaction with psychophysiological musculoskeletal reaction and headaches.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, are severe enough to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, finding that his headaches were not incurred or aggravated by active service and are not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The veteran's optic nerve cupping with light sensitivity and laceration of the left lower eyelid resulted in a 10 percent evaluation. The veteran's headaches, associated with photophobia due to his optic nerve condition, were granted a separate 30 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches with teichopsia and scotoma, as well as peripheral neuropathy of the left lower leg. The evidence did not show current disabilities apart from symptoms related to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a headache disorder, and a low back disorder. The veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, and his current claims for these conditions were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss in the left ear and other conditions, finding no new and material evidence. The claims for headaches, sinusitis, social phobia, OCD, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and depressive disorder were also denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected gastrointestinal and headache conditions do not warrant increased disability ratings based on current evidence of record.

The Board granted a 50% rating for post-traumatic stress disorder with headaches effective from November 23, 1999. The appellant's service-connected PTSD is the primary cause of his headache symptoms and arthritis due to cold injury are not related to service.

The veteran's initial claim for service connection for post concussion headaches was received on May 5, 1997, the date assigned as the effective date. Therefore, an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Board finds that the appellant's joint and muscle pains are not due to an undiagnosed illness, but rather associated with early rheumatoid arthritis. His headaches are diagnosed as tension headache disorder. Both conditions are considered direct service connection cases.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory disorders, skin disorders, and a disorder manifested by multiple joint pain, stiffness, numbness, headaches and/or dizziness due to exposure to Agent Orange. The conditions were not shown to be related to service or to any other activity of service.

The veteran's headaches are not service-connected and do not qualify as secondary to his service-connected thoracic spine disability. The VA denied the claim for an increased rating for scoliosis of the thoracic spine, finding that it does not present such an exceptional or unusual disability picture so as to render the schedular rating impractical.