Migraines & headaches decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee disability, headaches, respiratory disorder, diarrhea, arthralgias, fatigue, skin rash, and chronic sinusitis, were granted effective April 24, 1997. The rating assigned was 100%.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, finding no evidence to support these claims.

For the period from October 18, 2002 through April 11, 2005, a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability is not warranted.,Since October 18, 2002, a separate 10 percent evaluation for instability of the left knee is warranted.,Since October 18, 2002, a 30 percent rating, but none greater, for headaches is warranted.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for Leishmaniasis and related symptoms is granted, effective October 27, 1994. The earlier effective date of July 3, 1998 for the grant of service connection for multiple disabilities and assignment of a total rating based on individual unemployability is also confirmed.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for the service-connected headaches, effective from September 1998. The veteran's left clavicle and left elbow disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for the claimed conditions and denied all claims.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for migraine headaches and peptic ulcer disease, as well as service connection for joint pain, insomnia, and sinusitis. The veteran's claims were not reopened for a skin condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected injuries, including a depression fracture of the occipital region of the skull and multiple shrapnel wounds to various parts of his body, have resulted in chronic conditions such as post-traumatic headache disorder, peripheral neuropathy, and scars. These findings support granting service connection for these disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected post concussion headaches and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board finds that the veteran's current headache disability, claimed as a neurological disorder, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and is not shown to be related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including carcinoma in situ, skin disorders, memory loss, nasal congestion, headaches, and menstrual pain, all claimed as due to undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection are granted for various conditions, including fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal chest pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, bloody stools and bowel incontinence, headaches, agitation, forgetfulness, borderline violence, major depression and dysthymic disorder, loss of bladder control, itching, hives, rash, duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), partial complex seizures, blackouts, photophobia and lightheadedness, shrinkage in height from 71 inches to 67 1/2 inches, and lumbar spine disorder with instability of the legs. These conditions are presumed due to service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between the veteran's current Meniere's disease and migraine headaches and his active service, or any service-connected disability.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for a VA neurological examination and medical opinion regarding the veteran's headaches.

The Board denied service connection for all six secondary conditions (right hip disorder, headaches, ulcers, hypertension, cardiovascular disorder, and bilateral knee disorder) to the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including fatigue, hair loss, night sweats with chest pain, joint pain of the wrists and arms, memory loss, suicidal tendencies, irritability, stuttering, a sleep disorder, short attention span, psychiatric condition, headaches with blurred vision, sensory polyneuropathy (claimed as tingling and numbness of joints), arthritis of the knees, bladder problems with incontinence, PTSD, and CFS are denied. The evidence does not support service connection for these conditions under any theory.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders. However, the claims are still denied as there is no clear evidence of service origin or aggravation.

The veteran's appeal is being returned to the Board for further review due to her request for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be remanded to schedule this hearing.

The Board found that the veteran's chronic tension headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim.