Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's right elbow epicondylitis was incurred during his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, chest pain (claimed as residual of fracture of the chest bone), hearing loss in right ear, scar on right upper eyelid (claimed as residual of head injury), and a back disorder including pain and numbness of legs. The appeals were based on direct evidence from service records.

The veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied as there is no current evidence of a chronic headache disability.,PTSD was not granted due to the lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors actually occurred. The veteran has been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, which may be related to service.

The Board found no evidence of a well-grounded claim for service connection for any psychiatric disorders, headaches, tinnitus, neck and back disabilities, or muscle spasms.

The veteran was granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, both effective January 15, 1992. However, the RO found no clear and unmistakable error in prior decisions that did not address these claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a vascular disability, including headaches and dementia, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeals as no timely substantive appeal was received for any of the issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they due to a service-connected disability. The preponderance of evidence does not support a causal relationship between the veteran's headaches and either service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for bursitis of the left hip and residuals of head trauma with migraine headaches should be remanded to allow consideration under the correct legal standard.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of exposure to ionizing radiation, including various symptoms such as bleeding gums, rashes, ulcers, bones and joints, kidney stone, gallbladder, lost teeth, spurs in the shoulders, and headaches, are not well-grounded. The claim for suspected cancer as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation is also not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, increased evaluation for chondromalacia of the left knee, compensable evaluation for epigastric ventral hernia, and an increased rating for migraine headaches. The RO assigned a 10% disability rating for chondromalacia of the left knee under Diagnostic Code 5010 (traumatic arthritis).

The Board has determined that service connection for headaches is warranted. However, the claims of entitlement to service connection for blackouts and swelling of the face, hands, and feet are not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder (to include asthma), hypertension, migraine headaches, hemorrhoids, and goiter. The claim for increased ratings for pelvic inflammatory disorder with endometriosis and adhesions was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a stomach disability and headaches and dizziness, as well as the reopening of a claim for residuals of a back injury. The May 1956 rating decision was also found not to contain CUE.

The Board denied service connection for depression and right upper extremity disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome) in March 1990. The veteran's claim for service connection for a right upper extremity disorder characterized as carpal tunnel syndrome is reopened, but the claim remains denied due to lack of evidence linking current disability to service.

The Board has found the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD well grounded and granted it. The issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches is also considered, but no rating or effective date was assigned.

The veteran's PTSD and tension headaches are rated at the highest possible level of disability (100%), which is considered a total disability rating.

The veteran's eligibility for vocational training and rehabilitation benefits was granted, but the inclusion of a computer in his program was denied. The ratings for his left hand injury and special monthly compensation were not addressed.

The Board found no evidence of current disabilities for the claimed conditions and denied service connection.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected headache disorder is remanded due to the need for current clinical findings and an appropriate VA examination.