Migraines & headaches decisions — 2005

Your current 50 percent disability rating for migraine headaches is the highest allowed under the criteria, and your headaches have not resulted in significant interference with employment or necessitated frequent hospitalization.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a spinal, left shoulder, or chronic headache disability in service and that these conditions are not otherwise related to his military service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches, finding that there is not sufficient evidence establishing a direct relationship between her current condition and her military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of tendonitis of the knees, a back disorder with muscle spasm, tinnitus, removal of a tooth, or headaches that are related to service. As such, these claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's initial compensable evaluation for the service-connected status post fracture of the inferior and bilateral left orbit zygoma is denied prior to June 9, 2004. An increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent from June 9, 2004, is also denied.,The veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for organic brain syndrome with headaches is denied.

The Board denied all service connection claims, including for an acquired psychiatric disability (schizophrenia), a right knee disability, a low back disability, and headaches. The veteran's current psychiatric disability was not related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and blackouts, as well as increased evaluations for PTSD and the SFW scar of the right temporal region were denied. The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his hearing loss was also denied. His claim for an increased evaluation for his residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right forearm was not granted.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right thumb and for blurred vision and loss of balance, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for defective vision, vein blockage, headaches, neuropathy of the extremities, or hypertension. The veteran's contentions were not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right elbow condition and service connection for multiple joint disorders. The evidence did not support an increased rating based on functional impairment or continuity of symptoms, nor could it establish a medical nexus between current joint problems and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that his conditions were not incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Board found that the appellant's migraine headaches are no more than occasionally prostrating and thus do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 30 percent. The issues regarding carpal tunnel syndrome, leg/knee pain, and swollen fingers/ankles/hands were also denied as service connection was decided on the merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and posttraumatic head injury (claimed as headaches, vertigo, and depression) due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected headaches and cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to April 2000 and a 30 percent rating beginning in April 2000. The Board also found that the current level of impairment due to the cervical spine disability does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his muscle contraction headaches, hypertensive cardiovascular disease prior to January 12, 1998, and right heel bone spur were denied. The highest evaluation available under the rating codes was granted for each condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches, as due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying, chronic disability. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a current disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's sleep impairment and headaches are not due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying, chronic disability associated with his Persian Gulf War service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of a head injury (concussion), as the veteran's current symptoms are not linked to his inservice concussion based on recent medical opinions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected headaches.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for flat feet, headaches, right and left knee disorders, or a low back disorder. The claims are denied.