Migraines & headaches decisions — 2025

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability to include depression and PTSD was granted, while claims for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), left restless leg syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, chronic headaches, and bilateral tinnitus were denied or remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the absence of a current disability, and remanded the issue of service connection for migraines for further development.

The Veteran is granted a 50 percent evaluation for mixed feature headaches and a 10 percent evaluation for allergic rhinitis, with the latter effective October 7, 2024.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for migraines, an evaluation in excess of 30 percent prior to March 11, 2020, and in excess of 70 percent thereafter for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, and entitlement to total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 7, 2021, for additional development.

The Board remands the matter for the AOJ to provide the Veteran with notice of his right to a hearing and then readjudicate the claim based on the record before it, including determining whether additional evidentiary development is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several other claims.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability and a 10 percent rating for migraine headaches, while remanding other claims.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for migraine headaches, as the Veteran experiences very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran has withdrawn the appeal for service connection claims, and there is no case or controversy for adjudication.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and denied increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee DJD limitation of flexion, left shoulder arthritis, and other issues. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for depressive disorder and separate 20 percent ratings for right knee instability and right knee DJD limitation of extension.

The Board granted service connection for prostate cancer under the PACT Act and a 30 percent rating for tension headaches, while remanding another claim for further development.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The claims for service connection for a brain tumor, left ear hearing loss, and a higher rating for major depressive disorder were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that her stress fractures of the calcaneal bones were no more than moderate in severity and that she did not have a current right shoulder disability. The claims for service connection for angioedema, hives, abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, heart murmur, migraine headaches, allergic rhinitis, left ankle disability, and prolapsed rectum were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining claims for further development.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for a new VA opinion to evaluate the severity of his migraines without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, sinusitis, and a nerve disorder other than service-connected bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. However, it granted an initial 20 percent rating for left great toe gout and a 50 percent rating for migraines.

The appeal for a higher rating for hemorrhoids was granted, while the appeals for increased ratings for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy and migraine headaches were denied. The appeal for an earlier effective date for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and DEA benefits were dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for headaches, PTSD and major depressive disorder, and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to hypertension.

The Board granted service connection for alcohol use disorder, which is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain with IVDS, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the now service-connected cervical strain, increased ratings for headaches, back disability, and sinusitis.