Migraines & headaches decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder, TMJ and bruxism, and headaches but denied it for loss of smell.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches, which are found to be caused by the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and denied service connection for bilateral flat feet.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including migraines, OSA, a neck condition, left ankle sprain, low back strain, bilateral foot and knee conditions, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and bilateral hearing loss, as VA failed to provide adequate examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance, finding that he did not require regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's headaches and to estimate their severity prior to the onset of his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates and remanded several service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension. However, it granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and hypothyroidism.

The Board denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and remanded the claim for a headache disability, citing insufficient evidence of a current TBI diagnosis and a lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, tension headaches, and an initial compensable rating for inguinal hernia. The claim for irritable bowel syndrome was remanded.

The Board remands the claims for a right hip strain, migraine and tension headaches, and chronic right ankle sprain as they require additional evidence through supplemental opinions.

The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including lumbar condition and PTSD, with specific ratings and effective dates.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for migraine headaches as there was no case or controversy, and remanded the claims for right shoulder pain and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and gastrointestinal disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable criteria.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's tension headaches are related to service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for migraines and denied an earlier effective date than April 27, 2023, for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for service-connected hypertension and remanded the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for rhinitis, service connection for fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and a compensable rating for sinusitis. However, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent disability rating for sinus headaches.

The Board granted service connection for tension headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service and have continued since.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, and for chronic headaches. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, a disorder associated with interpersonally aggressive behavior such as intermittent explosive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an increased rating for unspecified anxiety disorder, and an increased rating for the right ankle disability were denied.

The Board granted a disability rating of 50 percent for migraines, as the Veteran's headaches are completely prostrating and prolonged, occurring more than twice per month, resulting in severe economic inadaptability.