Migraines & headaches decisions — 2003

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches, a sinus disorder, and a skin disease claimed as heat rash due to lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirements for eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only. The appeal is denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to a head trauma, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing headache disorder did not increase in severity during his period of service beyond its natural progression and was not shown by competent medical evidence to have been permanently aggravated therein. Therefore, service connection for a headache disorder is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a minimal head injury requiring sutures and resulting in a scar, as well as for headaches, both of which are deemed to be related to the veteran's service-connected hypertension.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches, double vision, and memory loss are not related to his service-connected fracture at C-1 or any other condition. The claims were denied.

The Board found that the appellant's claimed conditions, including residuals of a head injury, headaches, nose fracture, and seizure disorder, were not incurred or aggravated during his active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The pre-existing neuropsychiatric disorder was also determined to be unrelated to service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his migraine headaches, stating that there is no objective medical evidence of frequent prostrating attacks on a monthly basis or more frequently.

The Board found that the veteran's Crouzon's craniofacial dysostosis, to include exophthalmos and headaches, clearly preexisted service and was not aggravated by military service. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and right foot/ankle disabilities are denied. The claim for headaches is not addressed as it was established but not found to be related to service. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted with a non-compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected tension headaches, currently rated at 50 percent. The evidence did not show that the veteran's headaches presented an exceptional or unusual disability picture with marked interference with employment.

The veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 60 percent, which does not meet the minimum requirements for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, due to the veteran's unemployability by reason of service-connected disabilities, the case should be submitted to the Director of Compensation and Pension for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and left knee disorder. It is at least as likely as not that these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of meningitis, including his migrainous headaches, warrant a 10 percent initial rating. The decision is based on the medical evidence showing persistent and severe headaches related to the veteran's in-service meningitis.

The Board has granted service connection for right testicular atrophy, finding that it resulted from mumps orchitis during service. The veteran's claims for migraines and enlargement of glands in the groin area were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, finding that there was no evidence linking his current migraines to military service.

The veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease, Schatzki's ring with hiatal hernia, is currently rated at 30 percent disabling effective June 1, 2001. His non-migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent disabling and the maximum schedular evaluation under Diagnostic Code 8100 has not been met.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for viral hepatitis, gastroenteritis, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, post-traumatic headaches (residuals of concussion), and residuals of frostbite of both feet were granted effective January 10, 2000.