Migraines & headaches decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran's cluster headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and are not etiologically related to a service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's appeals regarding his claims for service connection due to lack of timely filing of substantive appeals. The issues concerning PTSD have been remanded for further development.

The Board found that the overpayment was properly created due to the appellant's incarceration and failure to notify VA of his status, but granted a partial waiver for $12,405.00 based on VA's fault in not adjusting benefits promptly.

The veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to service connection for a heart disorder and a compensable evaluation for scar of the scalp. The claim for an increased evaluation for headaches due to head injury is denied as there is no evidence of multi-infarct dementia associated with brain trauma.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, a disability claimed as sensitivity to light, and hiatal hernia. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions and concluded that there was insufficient evidence linking them to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his headaches, finding that there was no evidence demonstrating severe economic inadaptability due to his service-connected headaches.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including numbness and tingling of the extremities, chronic fatigue, frequent leg cramps, chest pain, a burning sensation of the tongue, rashes, and headaches, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examinations indicated no link between these conditions and mercury fillings received during active duty.

The Board found that the veteran does not have Meniere's disease or headaches related to military service and denied both claims.

The Board has found no evidence of a current left hand disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The veteran is seeking higher ratings for her service-connected mechanical low back pain and left shoulder muscle insertion strain, but an adequate examination was not provided to determine the severity of these conditions. The veteran also seeks service connection for headaches, which requires further evaluation.

The veteran's chronic headaches and psychiatric disability (PTSD) were not incurred or aggravated by active duty. The Board denied service connection for both conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection for prostatitis, kidney cysts, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and headaches were denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's headaches are not manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one episode in two months over the last several months, and thus did not warrant a higher initial compensable rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for migraines and headaches, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for hiatal hernia, lumbar discogenic syndrome, and headaches have been denied.,The veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability has been granted with an effective date of March 24, 1995. However, his requests for increased ratings for the condition remain denied.,For hiatal hernia, the veteran is currently rated at 10 percent and there are no higher ratings available under applicable diagnostic codes.,For lumbar discogenic syndrome, the veteran's current rating of 10 percent remains unchanged. The highest possible rating (20%) has not been met due to lack of severe limitation of motion.,For headaches (claimed as brain syndrome), the veteran is currently rated at 10 percent and there are no higher ratings available under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, headache disability, and cardiovascular disease (claimed as secondary to PTSD).,Service connection was not granted for the veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to a lack of evidence showing it is related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hives and headaches, both of which were claimed as secondary to herbicide exposure during his Vietnam service. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or to herbicide exposure.

The veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his scar of the left foot, were denied increased ratings. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's right and left knee disabilities were not granted increased ratings. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's scar of the left foot was not granted a compensable rating. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's headaches were not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's bilateral pes planus was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's sleep disorder was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's multiple joint pain was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's neurological disorder was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, chest pains, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's chest pains were not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, memory loss, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's memory loss was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, and dizziness have all been reopened but are still denied.,The veteran's dizziness was not granted service connection. The claims for service connection for dermatitis/skin disorder, alopecia/hair loss, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome/fatigue, bilateral pes planus, sleep disorder, multiple joint pain, neurological disorder, chest pains, memory loss, and psychiatric disorder other than PTSD have all been reopened but are still denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities due to service and therefore, service connection is denied for all issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's migraine headaches are not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran is competent for VA benefits purposes and does not lack the mental capacity to contract or manage his own affairs, including disbursement of funds.