Migraines & headaches decisions — 2025

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for the Veteran's right knee meniscal injury and remanded several service connection claims.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 2, 2020, for service connection for tension headaches and a 30 percent disability evaluation throughout the period on appeal. The decision also addressed increased rating claims for PTSD with varying ratings over different periods.

The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and an increased rating, finding that February 7, 2023 was the earliest date a valid claim was received.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted service connection for a headache disorder and sarcoidosis pursuant to the PACT Act, but remanded the claim for further development regarding other potential bases of service connection for sarcoidosis.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's neck condition, left-arm and right-arm radiculopathy, low back condition (degenerative arthritis), left-knee meniscus surgery residuals, right-knee meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament surgeries residuals, and irritable bowel syndrome. The claim for headaches and sinusitis was denied.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of migraine headaches, to include as secondary to tinnitus, for an addendum opinion addressing aggravation.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, but remanded the claims for erectile dysfunction and migraine headaches due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and denied increased ratings for interstitial lung disease, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, sinusitis, and eczema left areola.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disorder and remanded several other claims, including those for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headache, hypertension, cervical spine, thoracic spine, shin splints, foot disorders, and tinnitus.

The Board granted service connection for migraine disability, which is linked to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus. Other claims for allergic rhinitis, unspecified anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and sinusitis were denied.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to correct duty-to-assist errors, including verifying Persian Gulf service and obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for an initial compensable rating for migraines and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea and asthma due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board granted service connection for a chronic headache disability but denied service connection for chronic right foot pain, to include residuals of a right great toe injury, and a lung condition, to include COPD.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings to ensure that all necessary development is completed.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for TBI, migraine, and left knee condition as secondary to lumbosacral strain. The appeal for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied. The claims for service connection for cervical spine condition (recharacterized) and right knee instability were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevents her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and she has met the threshold minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU. Additionally, she is entitled to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and restored the 40 percent disability rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), while denying a higher rating for migraine headaches and remanding the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with recurrent major depressive disorder, but remanded the claim for migraine headaches due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Board granted service connection for a right thumb scar status post laceration and readjudicated the claims of entitlement to service connection for various disorders, finding new and relevant evidence in some cases.