Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, the maximum under Diagnostic Code 5293-5292.,The veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated as noncompensably disabling (0 percent).,Both conditions have reached their maximum ratings based on the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for headaches and a stomach disorder, but denied reopening of his claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's rehabilitation program goal of obtaining and maintaining employment as a caseworker was achieved. However, she is no longer considered to have an employment handicap due to her current employment in the field of social services.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of residuals of anterior-lateral compartment syndrome, right and left legs, service connection for migraine headaches, sinusitis, and a low back disability were denied. The RO found that the new schedular criteria did not provide more favorable evaluation options.

The Board has determined that the appellant has residuals of a head injury, classified as post-concussion headaches, related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected headaches do not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, as his education and qualifications are sufficient to qualify him for employment in several above entry and skilled occupations.

The Board found that the veteran does not suffer from headaches and denied his claim for service connection for headaches as due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service-connection for headaches, status post head injury as there is no evidence that he has current residuals from a head injury sustained during service.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current headaches and delusional disorder to service, or any other service-connected condition. The claims were denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for low back disability due to lack of a timely substantive appeal. The veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, depression, arthritis of the hips, and loss of bladder control are denied as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. Claims for new and material evidence regarding left knee disorder, cardiovascular disability (manifested by hypertension with chest pain and syncope), and PTSD were also denied due to lack of new or significant evidence.

The veteran's service connection claims for amnesia and a heart disorder were denied. The claim for residuals of right pneumothorax was granted with a 10% evaluation, while the claim for postoperative residuals of left knee injury was also granted with a 10% evaluation. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not established.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, and right ear hearing loss. The claim of service connection for headaches was reopened but remains denied.

The veteran's applications for Service Disabled Veterans' (RH) Insurance were denied because she did not file her application within the two-year period following her service connection award, and there is no evidence of mental incompetence during that time.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the service-connected migraine headaches with photophobia, finding that the veteran's symptoms are productive of very frequent and severe attacks, including prolonged episodes of superimposed cramping pain.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on August 31, 1998 were reimbursed as the treatment was for a nonservice-connected disability associated with and aggravating her service-connected ankle disorder, there was a medical emergency such that delay would have been hazardous to life or health, and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board found that the veteran's current vascular disability, including his headaches and dementia, did not begin during service or due to any in-service event. The Board concluded that it was more likely than not that the veteran's disease developed after discharge from service.

The Board denied service connection for multiple joint pain and headaches, finding that the veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic headache disorder in service or for many years thereafter, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for headaches. The Board also found that the current rating for residuals of fracture to the left lateral malleolus and fibula was appropriate at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, finding that the veteran's current headaches were not related to his active military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a heart disorder due to new evidence, but denied service connection for headaches.,Service connection is granted for a heart disorder as it is proximately due to or the result of service-connected PTSD.