Migraines & headaches decisions — 2005

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), and migraine disorder due to a lack of evidence showing an inservice onset or relationship to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for memory loss and headaches, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's combined service-connected rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the requirement for a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, as well as compensable evaluations for headaches and a right knee disability. The decision is based on the merits of the claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any service-connected conditions related to his claimed disabilities. The claims for residuals of head trauma, migraine headaches, memory loss and confusion, numbness of the left side of the face, blurred vision, bone disease and generalized arthritis, a sleep disorder, and chronic temporal pain were all denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development and compliance with notification requirements.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine injury residuals and headaches, finding that the medical evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the veteran's military service.

The veteran is found to be unemployable due to the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities, including depression and multiple other conditions.

Service connection granted for tinea pedis with a noncompensable evaluation. Service connection claims for other conditions were denied on the merits.

The veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent effective December 21, 2001. His low back disability is rated at 10 percent since March 17, 1997. The Board has granted service connection for his right and left knee disabilities, pancreatitis, inguinal hernia, sinusitis, and arthritis of the feet and knees.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence of in-service blunt trauma to the head or any service-connected disabilities from which the veteran's claimed conditions may have developed. Therefore, the claims for residuals of blunt head trauma, depression, TMJ, and migraine headaches were denied.

The Board found that the veteran's psychiatric disorder, including dysthymic disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The veteran's headaches existed prior to service and were not aggravated by his military service.

The veteran's service-connected migraine headache disability is rated at 50% disabling, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. The claim for bilateral knee disability was reopened based on new evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, finding no competent evidence linking his current headache disability to a service-connected disease or injury.

The Board found that the veteran was not entitled to a program of education under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code because he declined employment assistance offered by VA and remained employed full-time in a suitable position.

The veteran's claims for left thumb disability, tuberculosis, and IBS were granted with a compensable evaluation for IBS. The claim for headaches is addressed in the Remand portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's IBS had its onset in service and is therefore granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection have not been decided.

The veteran's migraine headaches, prostate disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and diverticulitis, bilateral knee disorder, respiratory disorders including sinusitis, asthma and bronchitis, and nasal polyps are all found to be related to service. The veteran was not exposed to radiation during service.

The veteran's claim for residuals of left elbow injury was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for headaches was not granted as the presumption of soundness has been rebutted.