Migraines & headaches decisions — 2025

The appeal for a compensable rating for tension headaches was dismissed as the Board granted the highest available rating of 50 percent, which represents a full grant of benefits.

The Board granted an increased evaluation to 30 percent for the Veteran's persistent post-traumatic headache disability, finding that the severity and frequency of headaches are more nearly approximated by characteristic prostrating attacks one to two times per month with nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and aura.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder, recurrent, mild and remanded the claims for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and migraines (headaches).

The Board remands the claim for a headache condition to obtain new medical opinions addressing direct and secondary service connection theories.

The Board granted service connection for migraines as secondary to PTSD and a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's disability began during active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and migraine headaches.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded claims for chronic low back pain, upper back pain, right hand disability, left hand disability, headaches, and right knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, as well as remanded certain issues.

The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including a back condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy, chronic fatigue syndrome, and migraine headaches, among others. It also granted increased ratings for PTSD and moderate, recurrent, major depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for cervical strain and a separate 10 percent rating for limited lateral excursion range of motion due to TMJD, while denying an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD and dismissing the claim for a rating higher than 10 percent for allergic rhinitis as moot.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, stomach disability, neuropathy, OSA, migraines, tinea corporis, and left 5th metacarpal finger fracture, as the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher ratings on all claims due to untimely Notices of Disagreement.

The Board granted service connection for tension headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran was granted a 50 percent rating for his migraine headaches from March 23, 2018, but the claim for an increased rating to more than 50 percent from September 17, 2024, was denied.

The Board denied service connection for metabolic syndrome and remanded claims for diabetes, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and tension headaches due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted restoration of the 10 percent evaluation for left knee meniscus, effective April 21, 2025, and an additional 20 percent rating was also granted.

The Board granted service connection for an intestinal disability, manifesting as irregular bowel movements causing impairment in earning capacity. The Veteran was also denied a higher initial rating for low back pain with degenerative arthritis, stenosis, and strain, but granted a 10 percent rating from March 30, 2024, for tension headaches.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and denied increased ratings for several service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not support a finding of current disability or aggravation related to service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence to evaluate the claims adequately.