Migraines & headaches decisions — 2003

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, respiratory disability, bleeding in the stomach, subdural hematoma, fatigue, headaches, and chronic disorders of the wrists, ankles, neck, elbows, and knees due to an undiagnosed illness. The denial is based on a lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressors actually occurred.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder and headaches due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Board found no current diagnosed disability due to an alleged in-service head injury and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including fatigue, skin rash, headaches, muscle and joint pain, sleep disturbance, memory loss, PTSD, respiratory problems, and gastrointestinal problems.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for muscle contraction headaches and joint pain due to additional development of evidence.

The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to the veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, as many of his conditions were unclear or not thoroughly examined in the provided medical records.

Your appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to your failure to file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran meets the criteria for service connection for PTSD and migraines, having established a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors. The veteran's PTSD is linked to military sexual assault/rape, while her migraines are believed to have begun shortly after the incident.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for headaches and blackout spells, finding that there was no clear evidence of a head injury during active service and concluding it is unlikely related to current diagnoses.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's lumbar spine disability, which was first manifested in service. The issues of service connection for a heart disorder and headaches as secondary to the lumbar spine disability are addressed on remand.

The Board denied an extra-schedular disability rating for the veteran's migraine headaches, currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches as secondary to cervical spine dysfunction, an increased rating for traumatic arthritis of the left hip, and initial ratings higher than 10 percent for cervical spine dysfunction and low back pain/sciatica. The veteran's headaches were not found to be related to his service-connected condition, and there was no evidence linking his hip or back conditions directly to his service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including eye disorder, chest pain, headaches, sleep disorder, sore legs, joint pain (bilateral knee), and right ankle sprain with traumatic arthritis. The veteran's low back disability was rated at 10 percent, and his hearing loss and exercise-induced asthma were also rated at 0 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's residuals of a fractured nose, migraine headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder (diagnosed as adjustment disorder with depressed mood), finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches, allergies, and a neck disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since the final decisions.,Service connection is granted for headaches, allergies, and a neck disorder.

The veteran's claims for additional disability related to VA treatment were denied as there was no evidence that the VA treatment caused or aggravated his conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches with associated dizziness and sudden illness, weakness and fatigue, and multiple joint pain as due to undiagnosed illnesses related to the veteran's Gulf War service.

The veteran's claim of service connection for a stomach disability was reopened, and an effective date of August 22, 1979, was granted for the grant of service connection for headaches. The veteran had complained of headaches since undergoing eye surgery in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headache disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service. The pre-existing conditions did not worsen during service, and there is no evidence of noise exposure or other incidents in service that could have caused these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to procedural issues and additional evidence.