Migraines & headaches decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for headaches, bronchial asthma with history of pneumonia, and kidney stones were denied. The veteran is not entitled to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for headaches or a compensable rating for kidney stones. A 30 percent rating has been granted for bronchial asthma since the effective date of service connection.

The veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and vascular headaches and cervicogenic headaches, secondary to cervical degenerative joint disease of the spine, has been granted with a 10% evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including residuals of a racquetball injury to the head and face, pinched nerve in the neck, residuals of dengue fever, left wrist fracture, and migraine headaches. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the July 1999 denial of service connection for a right knee disorder is not final, and thus the original claim remains pending. The veteran's left knee disability, characterized as degenerative joint disease, meets the criteria for a 10 percent rating under DC 5260. Additionally, the veteran's residuals of a left knee injury, including atrophy, removal or deterioration of a portion of the lateral and posterior menisci, meet the criteria for a separate 10 percent rating under DC 5258.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II and tinnitus. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Board has determined that the veteran's migraine headaches and arthritis of the lumbar spine were incurred during his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for migraine headaches and residuals of a fracture of the left scaphoid, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and right shoulder disorder, as well as his request for an increased rating for low back disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, an adjustment disorder with depression and dysthymia, headaches, and a disability manifested by vertigo and dizziness. The appeals were reopened on new evidence, but service connection was not established.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The right elbow condition, tinea versicolor, and headaches are not considered to be related to service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The RO has already assigned the maximum available rating (10%) for tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss is rated at zero percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraines, low back disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder were denied. The veteran was not granted any higher disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including hypertension, flat feet, headaches, left eye conjunctivitis, and maxilla disability, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's conditions were not caused by VA treatment and thus denied her claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and denied all three claims for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue and headache, finding that his symptoms are attributable to pre-existing psychiatric conditions and substance abuse.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and seizures as undiagnosed illnesses, finding no evidence of onset during service or association with Gulf War syndrome. The veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine stenosis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine at L5-S1, and headaches. The veteran was currently in receipt of a maximum disability rating of 60 percent for his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The veteran's claims for right and left knee disabilities, asthma, migraine headaches, dental disability, and PTSD have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions in service or post-service. The veteran has also been denied entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic headaches are currently rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 50 percent. The Board finds that she does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as her headaches do not present such an exceptional or unusual disability picture with marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.