Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board denied reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches, as well as his claim for a higher evaluation for low back disorder. The evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen any of these claims.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia patella of the right knee and muscle tension headaches have been granted, with a rating of 10 percent for each condition.

The Board finds that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded as they present credible evidence of undiagnosed illnesses resulting in chronic disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well grounded as there is no competent evidence linking his symptoms to an undiagnosed illness or any other condition.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims for PTSD, headaches (claimed as residuals of head trauma), and lower back disability. The RO's decisions remain final.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches, dizziness and vertigo as there was no medical evidence showing a current disability or linking any symptomatology to military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his gastrointestinal disability (Duodenal Ulcer, Gastric Ulcers and Hiatal Hernia) was denied. His disfiguring scar of the right temporal region postoperative remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for lupus, bilateral hip disorder, migraine headaches, and lumbar spine disorder are not well grounded. There is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as she does not meet the criteria for either condition.

The Board determined that the preponderance of the evidence did not support an increase in the original evaluations assigned for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypothyroidism, low back, migraine headache, right knee, left knee, left shoulder, and left wrist disabilities. The RO had initially assigned zero percent (noncompensable) evaluations, which were later changed to 10 percent.

The Board found no additional disability resulting from the veteran's slip and fall at a VA medical facility in May 1993, thus denying his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's claimed conditions, including muscle aches, heart and chest pain, memory loss, anxiety and nervousness, respiratory disorder, joint pain, fatigue, sleep disorder, and headaches, were not found to be related to his period of active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches, including as secondary to service-connected hearing loss of the right ear, is not well-grounded.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an increased evaluation of posttraumatic headaches and service connection for a right arm/shoulder disorder, finding that he did not establish veteran status for purposes of these claims.

The veteran's headaches are rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that there were no prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over the last several months. Therefore, the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded and have been granted. The conditions of sinusitis, left knee disorder, residuals of costochondritis (claimed as thoracic/low back pain), headaches, chest pain, fatigue, and memory loss are all considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, low back disability, residuals of a head injury, residuals of a neck injury, and visual disability are not well grounded.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current left shoulder disability or migraine headaches to military service, and thus denied his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist scar is well grounded. The VA duty to assist the veteran includes obtaining all relevant records, including reports of his recent treatment at the VA medical facility in Albany, New York.

The veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, right ear hearing loss, gastritis, and muscle tension/migraine headaches have not been well grounded. The claim for low back sprain has been granted with a 20% rating, while the claim for right knee disability has been granted with a 10% rating.