Migraines & headaches decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher rating for major depressive disorder and migraines, respectively.

The Board denied an earlier effective date prior to February 11, 2011 for the award of a 50 percent rating for service-connected headaches.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's migraines and remanded claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and shin splints.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and initial ratings for migraine and cluster headaches, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, but granted an earlier effective date of April 9, 2018, for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, chronic migraines, left knee disability, low back disability, right knee disability, and right ear hearing loss. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was denied. The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was also denied. The Board remanded the claim for service connection for a sinus condition (claimed as sinusitis with nose bleeds).

The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for migraine headaches effective December 7, 2022.

The Board granted a rating of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis and 30 percent for migraine headaches, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disease, cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and migraine and occipital headaches. Service connection was denied for bilateral pes planus, papillary thyroid carcinoma, status post partial left thyroidectomy, and left foot hallux valgus.

The Board denied service connection for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, and migraine headaches as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active service.

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and denied increased ratings for migraine headaches, reactive airway disease, and allergic rhinitis. The issues of service connection for eczema, pseudofolliculitis barbae, a right knee disability, and an increased rating for other reaction to severe stress disorder were remanded.

The Board granted restoration of service connection for migraines with a 50 percent evaluation and DEA, finding that the Veteran's migraine condition began in service and continued after service.

The Board granted an initial 30 percent rating for headaches but denied a higher rating and also denied an increased rating greater than 30 percent for adjustment disorder.

The Board granted service connection for GERD and a 30 percent rating for headaches, but denied service connection for sinusitis.

The Board granted a higher disability rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches, as well as individual unemployability and special monthly compensation.

The veteran's appeal request was denied as it was not timely filed, and no good cause was shown to extend the filing period.

The Board denied service connection for epilepsy, bilateral detached retina (previously rated as blurred vision), cervical spine condition, and migraine headaches. However, it granted service connection for hypertension and earlier effective dates for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for dyshidrotic eczema of the hands and denied service connection for chronic headaches, sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, left hip strain with various limitations, left knee joint osteoarthritis, pain of lumbar spine, and other specified trauma-and stressor-related disorder.

The Board granted service connection for chronic headaches and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) as she did not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board granted service connection for migraines, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's migraines are due to an injury during active service.