Migraines & headaches decisions — 2003

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current neurological disability manifested by tingling and numbness involving the left side of the body due to service. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, irritable colon syndrome, GERD, and post-traumatic headaches are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and anxiety reaction with headaches, dizziness, and dysthymia as there was no evidence of hypertensive cardiovascular disease on current examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claim for service connection for headaches.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints including the back, neck, and bilateral knees, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy. The decision found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry into service, but also found that the veteran's conditions did not pre-exist service or were aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for sarcoidosis and entitlement to a compensable rating based on multiple service-connected disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324, finding that his sarcoidosis did not interfere with normal employability.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and requested evidence. The case is now remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches, respiratory problems, skin rash, right elbow pain and numbness, body aches and joint pain, sleep impairment, fatigue, night sweats, and memory loss. The appeal was reopened on new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's headache disorder had its origins in service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding it incurred during the veteran's active duty service. The issue of bilateral hearing loss (including tinnitus) remains pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic sinusitis with headaches and throat irritation had its inception during his period of active service.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for various conditions, including left ankle fracture, headaches, incontinence of urine/bowel, and pes cavus. The case is being sent back to the RO for additional examination and review.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The case will be returned to the RO for these actions.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine arthritis warranted a 20 percent evaluation, but not an evaluation in excess of this. The December 1992 rating decision granting service connection for head and neck injury with post-concussion headaches and blurred vision is final as the veteran did not file a timely notice of disagreement.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining the veteran's clinical records and requesting a VA psychiatrist to review the claims file and provide an opinion on whether the veteran meets the criteria for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability and headaches are not related to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for post-traumatic headache disorder, effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection in April 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for chronic bilateral ankle sprains, migraine headaches, right and left bunionectomies, and post-operative residuals of small bowel resection. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The veteran's headaches with vertigo are manifested by attacks that occur on an almost daily basis, many of which are prostrating and productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Board has determined that the criteria for a 50 percent disability rating for headaches have been met.