Migraines & headaches decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and Sjogren's syndrome, as well as a TDIU, due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's tension headaches were granted an initial maximum rating of 50 percent, while the claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including tinnitus, traumatic brain injury, post-concussion migraines, peripheral vestibular disorder, insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome thoracolumbar spine, lumbar right side sciatic nerve radiculopathy, lumbar left side sciatic nerve radiculopathy, cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, and cervical right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent from May 15, 2024, for migraine headaches as the Veteran is already receiving the maximum schedular rating and referral for extraschedular consideration was not warranted.

The Board granted service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizotypal personality disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. An earlier effective date was also granted for the initial grant of service connection for left hydrocelectomy residuals, but a compensable rating for this condition was denied. The claim for special monthly compensation was also denied.

The Board denied the claims for increased ratings and remanded additional issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted a rating of 50 percent, but not greater, as of January 3, 2025.

The Board denied service connection for Barrett's esophagus, skin cancer, and ocular migraines as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board remands the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the back and a compensable evaluation for migraine headaches prior to May 3, 2024, due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the claim for a supplemental medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's in-service assault caused or aggravated his migraine headaches.

The Board denied service connection for all the conditions claimed by the Veteran, as there was no evidence of a current disability that began during service or is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for headaches and plantar fasciitis, finding that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were related to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and his wearing of combat boots during active duty, respectively.

The Board granted service connection for headaches diagnosed as migraines including migraine variants, but remanded the claims for hypertension, left rotator cuff tear, and right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including fatigue, bilateral eye disability, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, GERD, penile condition, left foot disability, and others. Some claims were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection for migraine headaches was granted, while the evaluations for spine and right lower extremity disabilities were denied or maintained.

The Board granted increased ratings for the Veteran's psychiatric disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and restored a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. The Board also granted service connection for migraines and erectile dysfunction.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and remanded the claims for higher initial ratings due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis from September 26, 2023, and a compensable rating for hypertension. The claim for service connection for headaches as secondary to allergic rhinitis was remanded, as well as the claim for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis prior to September 26, 2023.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and granted a 30 percent rating for asthma, while denying service connection for various conditions including allergic rhinitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypertension, lumbar spine pain, right lower extremity sciatic radicular pain, tremors of the bilateral hands, and chronic headaches.