Migraines & headaches decisions — 2003

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence. The issues of service connection for headaches, an increased rating for left knee arthritis, and a compensable rating for right knee Osgood-Schlatter disease are pending.

The VA denied service connection for a skin rash and shortness of breath, both claimed as due to exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran's headaches were not found to be related to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection was granted for shortness of breath due to Gulf War Agent exposure.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of appendectomy and status post myocardial infarction, as well as an increased evaluation for post-traumatic encephalopathy with headaches. The veteran's current disability is rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification. The claim will be reconsidered by the RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, seizures, and a psychiatric disability, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine injury residuals are rated at 40 percent effective July 25, 2002. His headaches remain at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for migraine headaches and service connection for a psychiatric disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and folliculitis. The issues of entitlement to higher initial evaluations for fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome have been resolved as granted by the RO.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for headaches, which were determined to have existed prior to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for prostatitis, service connection for headaches and sinusitis. The veteran's prostatitis was found to be no more than mildly disabling without any need for absorbent materials or drug therapy. There is no indication of aggravation by his service-connected tonsillectomy for headaches and sinusitis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches. However, the evidence did not establish a link between the current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, both of which are considered qualifying chronic disabilities under the provisions of the Persian Gulf War Veterans' Act. The veteran's symptoms have been documented since at least 1993, with diagnoses confirmed by medical records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for muscle, joint, and bone pain; short-term memory loss; and headaches, claimed as manifestations of undiagnosed illness. The veteran's symptoms have been attributed to his Gulf War service.

The Board finds the veteran's claim plausible due to his treatment for a head injury prior to service. A VA examination is needed to determine if the current neurological disorder clearly and unmistakably preexisted service or is related to service.

The veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current cervical spine disability or a chronic headache disorder that is related to service. The claim for residuals of a cervical spine injury and the claim for a headache disorder are both denied.

The veteran's service connection for headaches is granted, and his fibromyalgia receives a non-compensable initial rating of 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of head trauma to include headaches and a claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a fractured right frontal sinus, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of facial trauma, including headaches and vertigo, with an effective date set at October 24, 1997. The appeal is resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and headaches, finding that there was no credible evidence to support the claimed stressors or a diagnosis of PTSD.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and renal stones, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.