Migraines & headaches decisions — 2002

The veteran's cluster headaches are severe and frequent, causing prostrating attacks that interfere with his ability to work. The Board grants a 50 percent evaluation for the condition, effective from March 1997.

The Board has granted a 50% rating for the veteran's headache disorder and increased his disability rating to 30%. The claim of an increased rating for tinnitus is also granted, with a separate 10% evaluation effective June 10, 1999. However, the veteran does not have a compensable evaluation prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches as a symptom of the veteran's service-connected cervical spine injury, and awarded an initial rating of 20 percent for his low back disorder.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches, while reported as severe and occurring once per day, do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8199-8100 due to lack of characteristic prostrating attacks. The other claimed residuals were either not supported by evidence or not service-connected.

The veteran is granted a separate 10 percent rating for residuals of cerebral concussion effective January 30, 1982. The adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is rated as 10 percent since November 7, 1996. The left ear injury is rated at 10 percent prior to March 20, 1996.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of any disability in question being incurred or aggravated during his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for headaches as a residual of head injury and for cervical spine disability, finding that new evidence did not provide sufficient material to support these claims.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected seizure disorder and migraine headaches, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the veteran's current skin disorder or headache disorder to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of the cervical spine with headaches was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor was any arthritis manifested to a compensable degree within one year post-service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension and headaches do not meet the schedular criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including headaches, memory loss, cysts of the body, and low back pain, were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The VA examinations did not find any chronic disabilities related to these conditions.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, finding that the veteran's current headache condition did not begin in or was aggravated by active service.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for residuals of fracture, right zygomatic arch with secondary headaches and insomnia was denied. The RO granted service connection for the condition but did not grant a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of a septoplasty, allergic rhinitis with sinusitis, low back pain, headaches, and cervical spine pain. The veteran's preexisting conditions were not aggravated by service.

The veteran's chronic tension headaches were rated at 50 percent since September 27, 1997. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date is denied.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be service-connected.,The left eye disorder is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes. The cervical spine, low back, right lower extremity (right ankle), left upper extremity on organic basis, genitourinary disorder, psychiatric disorder, headaches and memory loss on organic basis, and stomach disability are all found to be not service-connected.

The veteran's additional disability, including numbness of the right arm and hand, headaches, increased neck pain, and earaches, is not deemed to be caused by VA treatment or examination.