Migraines & headaches decisions — 2025

The Board granted effective dates of September 17, 2012, for the cervical spine disability and associated neurological impairments, headache disability; November 29, 2018, for the lumbar spine disability and associated neurological impairments of the bilateral legs; April 22, 2019, for the psychiatric disability; and April 22, 2019, for the six separately-rated bilateral hip disabilities.

The Board granted an effective date of July 28, 2023, for the award of a 50 percent disability rating for migraine headaches.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left wrist degenerative arthritis, migraines, bilateral hearing loss, eye disability, and sciatica of the right lower extremity. However, it granted a 40 percent rating for back disability, service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to the back disability, and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board granted an effective date of February 21, 2014, for the grant of service connection for headaches and a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI) residuals, effective January 6, 2021.

The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for tension headaches from September 3, 2021, based on the Veteran's characteristic prostrating attacks occurring more than once a month and their impact on his work ability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and migraines to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis right hand, back pain, foot pain (bilateral), knee pain (bilateral), and migraines (headaches) but granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board remands the claims for higher disability evaluations for migraines, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), adjustment disorder, and lumbosacral strain due to outstanding relevant VA treatment records.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for migraines, neurologic signs or symptoms (also claimed as paresthesia/neurological disorder), and TIA due to a need for additional evidence and an adequate medical examination.

The appeal for an increased rating for migraine variant headaches disability was withdrawn by the Veteran, and therefore, it is dismissed.

The Board remands the case to obtain relevant outstanding SSA disability records and decisions for the Veteran.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning March 29, 2007.

The Board granted an effective date of December 7, 2015, for the award of service connection for painful surgical scar, left knee, and a 10 percent rating for cluster headaches. It denied earlier effective dates for other issues.

The veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection and increased rating, thus the Board dismissed both matters.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent, and an earlier effective date for this rating was granted. The claims for increased ratings for irritable bowel syndrome and unspecified anxiety disorder were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for IBS with GERD, headaches, and allergic rhinitis as the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's passing before a decision could be made.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for migraines as the Veteran's duplicate submission of the Notice of Disagreement was improperly placed on the Evidence Review docket.

The Board granted service connection for chronic cervicothoracic pain, chronic headaches, chronic sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, generalized anxiety disorder, and persistent depressive disorder. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied.