Migraines & headaches decisions — 2002

The Board found that the veteran does not have ataxia, manifested by a gait disorder, incurred or aggravated in military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's undiagnosed illness manifested in 1997 and cannot be attributed to any known clinical diagnosis, granting service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's maxillary sinusitis did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as it was manifested by chronic allergic rhinitis and minimal symptomatology restricted to the left maxillary sinus and left anterior ethmoid.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities involving his knees or reflux esophagitis, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service. The appeal for headaches is deferred until after the development of the low back disability issue.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for migraine headaches, and a chronic headache disorder was found to have existed during active service.

The veteran's appeals for service connection were withdrawn, and the claims of entitlement to an effective date prior to October 30, 1996, for post-traumatic stress disorder; and entitlement to an effective date prior to June 15, 2000, for a total rating for compensation purposes based upon individual unemployability have been denied.

The veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, the maximum under Diagnostic Code 5293-5292.,The veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated as noncompensably disabling (0 percent).,Both conditions have reached their maximum ratings based on the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for headaches and a stomach disorder, but denied reopening of his claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's rehabilitation program goal of obtaining and maintaining employment as a caseworker was achieved. However, she is no longer considered to have an employment handicap due to her current employment in the field of social services.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of residuals of anterior-lateral compartment syndrome, right and left legs, service connection for migraine headaches, sinusitis, and a low back disability were denied. The RO found that the new schedular criteria did not provide more favorable evaluation options.

The Board has determined that the appellant has residuals of a head injury, classified as post-concussion headaches, related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected headaches do not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, as his education and qualifications are sufficient to qualify him for employment in several above entry and skilled occupations.

The Board found that the veteran does not suffer from headaches and denied his claim for service connection for headaches as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service-connection for headaches, status post head injury as there is no evidence that he has current residuals from a head injury sustained during service.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current headaches and delusional disorder to service, or any other service-connected condition. The claims were denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for low back disability due to lack of a timely substantive appeal. The veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, depression, arthritis of the hips, and loss of bladder control are denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. Claims for new and material evidence regarding left knee disorder, cardiovascular disability (manifested by hypertension with chest pain and syncope), and PTSD were also denied due to lack of new or significant evidence.

The veteran's service connection claims for amnesia and a heart disorder were denied. The claim for residuals of right pneumothorax was granted with a 10% evaluation, while the claim for postoperative residuals of left knee injury was also granted with a 10% evaluation. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not established.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and right ear hearing loss. The claim of service connection for headaches was reopened but remains denied.

The veteran's applications for Service Disabled Veterans' (RH) Insurance were denied because she did not file her application within the two-year period following her service connection award, and there is no evidence of mental incompetence during that time.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the service-connected migraine headaches with photophobia, finding that the veteran's symptoms are productive of very frequent and severe attacks, including prolonged episodes of superimposed cramping pain.