Migraines & headaches decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine and headaches are related to service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, chondromalacia of the right knee, left shoulder disability, and headaches have all been denied. The evidence submitted since the last final denial does not provide new or material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The VA has determined that the appellant's migraine headaches do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they are described as occurring one to two times per month and alleviated by medication, without causing severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for muscle tension headaches due to cervical spine disorder effective from September 28, 1995. The veteran's service-connected condition is currently rated as 30 percent disabling prior to that date.

The veteran's service-connected headaches are rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any code of the VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The veteran claims compensation for headaches and thoracic outlet syndrome as a result of a biopsy performed at a VA medical facility in May 1996. The Board found no additional disability resulting from the biopsy, thus denying his claim.

The VA has granted service connection for migraine headaches and assigned a 30 percent evaluation, effective June 1, 1997. The veteran's appeal is limited to the initial period from June 1, 1997, to May 18, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and loss of taste and smell, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board found that the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preexisting conditions were deemed to have existed prior to service, and there was no evidence of worsening during service.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's peptic ulcer disease or migraine headaches to service, and denied these claims.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions, including skin problems, visual difficulties, headaches and dizziness, liver disease or disability, cardiovascular disorder, runny nose, fever, intolerance to cold, and elevated cholesterol levels.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current skin condition, and the residuals of his head injury did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted for sleep apnea, but Crohn's disease, mitral valve prolapse, and tension headaches were each rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected sinusitis does not result in one or two incapacitating episodes per year requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment, and his headaches are not prostrating in nature. Therefore, he is denied a compensable evaluation for both conditions.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of a head injury with post concussion headaches effective February 28, 1994. The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, finding that these symptoms began during his military service and are related to a personality disorder resulting from stress.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches, which are primarily due to his skull fracture with concussion, do not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's claimed headaches and sinusitis, finding that these conditions originated during her military service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a respiratory disorder (including sinusitis with headaches), a headache disorder, a hemorrhoidal disorder, and a low back disorder. The claim to reopen service connection for diabetes mellitus was also denied. Additionally, the original rating in excess of 10 percent for generalized joint pain due to undiagnosed illness and an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sinusitis and headache disorder are related to his service-connected otitis media, warranting secondary service connection.