Migraines & headaches decisions — 2025

The claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded to correct duty to assist errors, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and adequate VA medical examinations.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating for TMJ disorder and headaches, as well as the claim for an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits, to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the effects of medications on the severity of these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but denied it for migraine headaches, while remanding claims for left ankle, right ankle, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's migraine headaches are due to or aggravated by his service-connected UDD with sleep disturbance.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for PTSD, finding the appellant's symptoms more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's left shoulder, lumbar spine, left wrist, headache, and spinal stroke disabilities as there was no evidence of chronic in-service symptoms or a nexus to an in-service injury.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for all service connection and increased rating claims, including carpal tunnel syndrome, allergic rhinitis, bilateral hearing loss, left eye, left elbow, left hip, left shoulder, hemorrhoids, headaches, back, neck, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and prediabetes.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for headaches prior to January 6, 2021, and a 50 percent rating on and after that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for dyshidrotic dermatitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and tension headaches due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and 50 percent for migraine/tension headaches, but not higher.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, left and right lower extremities. The claim for a compensable rating prior to October 17, 2019, for migraine headaches was denied, as were the claims for TDIU due solely to the effects of migraine headaches.

The Board granted service connection for rhinitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) on a presumptive basis due to exposure to fine particulate matter during active service in Southwest Asia. The Board also granted increased ratings of 30 percent, and no higher, for headaches, thoracolumbar spine strain, right rotator cuff tendonitis, and left rotator cuff tendonitis from December 13, 2021.

The Board granted service connection for migraines, PTSD, atopic dermatitis, right knee condition, sleep apnea, and right knee condition. The liver condition and asthma claims were denied.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as they were not shown to be related to the Veteran's active duty or caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include depression, and migraines due to insufficient evidence regarding in-service stressors and an incomplete VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and denied a compensable rating for the head scar associated with traumatic brain injury. The claims for increased ratings were remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected migraines, and a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches from April 3, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for chronic headaches and an initial rating of 10 percent for hypertension, effective from November 24, 2023. The claim for generalized anxiety with agoraphobia and claustrophobia was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and a skin disability but granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatica) as secondary to service-connected lumbar strain and an initial 10 percent disability rating for essential tremors.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 0 percent for migraine headaches, as there was no evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks occurring an average of once every two months over several months.