Migraines & headaches decisions — 2002

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on August 31, 1998 were reimbursed as the treatment was for a nonservice-connected disability associated with and aggravating her service-connected ankle disorder, there was a medical emergency such that delay would have been hazardous to life or health, and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board found that the veteran's current vascular disability, including his headaches and dementia, did not begin during service or due to any in-service event. The Board concluded that it was more likely than not that the veteran's disease developed after discharge from service.

The Board denied service connection for multiple joint pain and headaches, finding that the veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic headache disorder in service or for many years thereafter, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for headaches. The Board also found that the current rating for residuals of fracture to the left lateral malleolus and fibula was appropriate at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, finding that the veteran's current headaches were not related to his active military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a heart disorder due to new evidence, but denied service connection for headaches.,Service connection is granted for a heart disorder as it is proximately due to or the result of service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches was granted as the condition was first manifested during her military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for low back disability. The veteran's chronic low back disability, including degenerative disc disease at L4 to L5 and L5 to S1, was incurred in active duty. However, there is no clear indication of entitlement to an increased rating for tension headaches.

The October 1991 rating decision denied the appellant's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not show he was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for psychophysiological headaches and an eye disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including alcoholism and a psychiatric disorder. The skin rash, optic atrophy of the left eye with vision loss and diplopia, pansinusitis with nasal polyps, traumatic nasal septal deviation, damage to the fifth and seventh cranial nerves, seizure disorder, headaches, chronic prostatitis, prostate and urinary infections, urinary tract blockage and non-specific urethritis, epididymal cyst of the right testis, and venereal disease were not found to be related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee, low back, migraine headaches, gynecological disorder (claimed as a female condition), and bowel disorder were not incurred or aggravated during her active service. The current conditions are considered to be unrelated to any incidents of service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a dental condition, headaches, and a cardiac disability. The claim for bronchial asthma was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for special monthly pension benefits was denied, and his service connection claim for Morton's neuroma of the feet was also denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a need for aid and attendance or service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for penicillin allergy and diverticulitis, but granted service connection for migraine headaches. The veteran's migraine headaches were incurred in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, headaches, a cervical spine disorder, and left leg and right eye disorders. The decision found that new evidence did not reopen the claim for a psychiatric condition (other than PTSD), and that none of the other conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The appellant's combined rating for his ratable disabilities is 30 percent, which is sufficient to meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The veteran's right foot disability has been granted a 30 percent rating effective from November 1, 1999. His chronic headaches have also been granted a 30 percent rating since May 21, 1997.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but denied all other claims. The veteran's hypertension is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's heart disability, duodenal ulcer, lung disability (spot on lung), right hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral foot disability. The headaches were also not granted as service-connected.