Migraines & headaches decisions — 2025

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation due to his service-connected migraine tension headaches, effective January 25, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including gastrointestinal, headache, foot, elbow, and hand conditions, as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis or symptoms related to these conditions during the pendency of the claims.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for service connection due to untimely filings.

The Board remands the issue of service connection for headaches as secondary to unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected migraines, as the evidence did not show characteristic prostrating attacks or completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board denied the Veteran's eligibility for benefits under the PCAFC due to a finding that he does not require personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for tinnitus, migraines, left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and back pain to provide proper VCAA notice and further development.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including GERD, bilateral vision impairment, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, headaches, heart disability, hypertension, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right hip condition, sleep apnea, and urinary frequency.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for GERD, IBS, migraine headaches, a right shoulder disorder, and a right knee disorder as further development is needed.

The Board granted increased ratings for right and left upper extremity neuropathy, right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and hypothyroidism, as well as a TDIU from May 1, 2018 to September 19, 2019. The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II, kidney disease stage III with hypertension (kidney disease with hypertension), tinnitus, and service connection for migraines.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches were granted a rating of 50 percent, and she was also granted TDIU, DEA, and SMC for the period from March 27, 2017, to August 20, 2017.

The Board granted service connection for headaches, which are considered an other organic disease of the nervous system and manifested within one year of separation from active service.

The Veteran's November 21, 2024 VA Form 20-0996 Request for Higher-Level Review was timely filed and the Board granted it.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for headaches and a right shoulder disability for further development, including obtaining medical opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a migraine disability and an increased rating for tinnitus, as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis of migraines or functional impairment related to tinnitus.

The Veteran's migraines were granted a 50 percent rating due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board remands the claims for chronic sinusitis and migraine headaches to obtain additional medical evidence regarding their relationship to service or other service-connected conditions.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the right-hand second finger strain and remanded the claim for service connection for migraines, including migraine variants.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected headaches, finding that they were very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged, and productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, allergic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, it granted service connection for headaches and remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and alcohol use disorder.