Migraines & headaches decisions — 2025

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation based on housebound status from October 5, 2017.

The Board denied increased ratings for cervical strain, thoracic strain, and allergic rhinitis with sinusitis, as well as a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. However, the Board granted service connection for radicular pain of both upper extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical strain.

The appeal for an evaluation greater than 30 percent for a left shoulder strain, and service connection for right shoulder strain, migraine headaches, and sinusitis is dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for migraines and ED, both as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol and opioid use disorder in remission in controlled environment.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine disorder, sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and headaches. The initial rating of 70 percent was granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been granted a higher 50 percent rating due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's already service-connected conditions of tinnitus, PTSD, and hypertension respectively.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's migraine headaches, as they approximated characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over the last several months.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a migraine headache disorder to schedule an examination and obtain an opinion on its etiology.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the 50 percent disability rating for posttraumatic headaches, finding that the evidence did not support a 50 percent rating prior to July 11, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for psoriasis, an eye disability, residuals of left eye trauma, vaginitis, migraine, and costochondritis as the Veteran refused to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause. The lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy claims were also denied based on insufficient evidence.

The veteran's requests to switch dockets and appeals for service connection were denied as untimely, with no good cause shown.

The Board denied an effective date prior to December 14, 2023 for the grant of service connection for migraine headaches.

The appeal was dismissed for the issues of a compensable rating for left hip disability and service connection for chronic headache, but erectile dysfunction was granted.

The Board remands the claim for an initial compensable rating for headaches, not otherwise specified, to obtain a more adequate medical examination that considers the severity of the Veteran's condition without the ameliorative effects of medications.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for chronic headaches to correct duty to assist errors, including the need to obtain relevant service treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's dry eye syndrome is granted service connection due to an in-service injury. Several other claims for service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted a 70 percent rating effective March 22, 2023. The other claims are remanded for further consideration.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD based on a verified combat stressor and a private medical opinion. The claim for headaches was remanded due to the need for an adequate medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches, resolving any reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.