Migraines & headaches decisions — 2025

The Board granted increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, and restored a 10 percent rating for a painful scar. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and migraines as they were fully resolved in a prior rating decision. The claim for service connection for hypertension was remanded for further development.

The Board granted an increased initial rating of 10 percent for rhinitis, but remanded the claims for a compensable initial rating for migraine headaches and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board granted the reinstatement of a 20% rating for lumbosacral strain, granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability on a secondary basis, and denied service connection for a left knee disability. The other claims were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye condition, to include diabetic retinopathy; diabetes mellitus, type II, as secondary to service-connected disabilities with obesity as an intermediate step; and headaches, to include as secondary to tinnitus. The claims for left knee strain, right knee strain, and lumbar degenerative disc disease were remanded.

The Board remands the claim for a TBI to schedule an appropriate VA examination due to an inadequate medical opinion provided in May 2024.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for service-connected migraines from September 15, 2021, and remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation prior to that date.

The Board granted an effective date of May 14, 2021, for the award of a 70 percent rating for psychiatric disability and TDIU, as well as basic eligibility for DEA. However, it denied a higher rating for the psychiatric disability and a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent for migraines, finding that the evidence was in approximate equipoise regarding the frequency and severity of the Veteran's prostrating attacks.

The Board granted an initial 30 percent rating for migraines and GERD, but denied a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection claims related to allergic rhinitis, migraines, right knee condition, and back condition.

The Board granted service connection for a headache disability, as secondary to PTSD and/or tinnitus.

The Board granted service connection for headaches, finding a causal relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed condition and his active service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a migraine or headache disability and various joint disabilities as there is no evidence of the claimed conditions during service or since separation.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including ankle, foot, back, and various musculoskeletal issues due to the lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The appeal for an earlier effective date of service-connection for migraine headaches is dismissed as the requested earlier effective date is now in effect.

The Board remands the claim for an initial increased rating in excess of 30 percent for tension headaches to obtain a medical opinion that discounts the beneficial effects of medication.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, except for tinnitus which was granted.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for bilateral eye strain headache prior to May 8, 2023, and a rating in excess of 30 percent from May 8, 2023, and continuing.