Migraines & headaches decisions — 2003

The Board found that the veteran does not suffer from any of the claimed conditions and denied all claims for service connection.

The veteran's migratory joint pain, muscular pain, and headaches are all found to be related to his service in the Gulf War. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in his right ear and headaches were denied. The evidence did not establish current disabilities or a causal link to service.

The veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for her migraine headaches prior to May 20, 2002 was denied. However, she received a 30% evaluation effective from May 20, 2002 for her vascular migraine headaches.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracic spine disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, headache disorder, and PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as they do not result in characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over the last several months. The current rating of 10% is therefore denied.

The VA has determined that the veteran's brain tumor, headaches, and left facial nerve paralysis are not related to his active service or training. The Board finds no evidence of a causal link between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's tension headaches are not found to be disabling enough for a rating higher than 10 percent, and his right ankle disability is deemed noncompensable.

The Board has determined that the currently demonstrated chronic headaches are unrelated to the head injury in service and there are no other residuals of the head injury except for the service-connected laceration scar of the right eyebrow. Therefore, the appeal on the issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a head injury, including chronic headaches, must be denied.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches, sleep disorder, joint pain, and fatigue were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor due to an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected cervical spine condition. His right knee condition is rated at 20 percent, and the scars on his neck and scalp are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any current conditions related to her service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied all of her claims for service connection.

The veteran's service connection claims for dyspnea, photophobia with headaches, and headaches have been granted. The Board found that the veteran has a current disability of photophobia with headaches that can be traced to his active duty service.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability has been rated based on the criteria for degenerative disc disease and related radiculopathy. The appeals for higher ratings have not met the established criteria under the current rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his head injury during service, and there is insufficient evidence linking his headaches or stomach cramps to service. The hypertension claim lacks sufficient evidence to establish its onset in service.

The Board found that the veteran's recurrent headaches are not service-connected, as there is no credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The National Guard records do not support a head injury during service, and the medical evidence indicates that his headaches began after service in 1977.

The Board determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of either knee, chronic fatigue, or headaches due to service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, right knee disorder, and deviated nasal septum and rhinitis. The veteran's chronic headaches are not related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for cardiovascular disability, including hypertension, and other chronic disabilities claimed by the veteran. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection or due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected headaches and fracture of the C-6 vertebra with degenerative changes of the C4-C5 and C5-T1 vertebrae, both currently rated at 30 percent.