Migraines & headaches decisions — 2025

The Board granted restoration of the 50 percent rating for migraine including migraine variants, as the reduction was improper due to a lack of actual improvement in the disability.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for headaches to obtain a VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current headache disability and his participation in a toxic exposure risk activity during service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for headaches, GERD, and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, dry eye syndrome, a rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, a compensable rating for headaches, and a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disorder, hypertension, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder. The evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the skin disability was also denied.

The Board granted service connection for a separate 50 percent initial rating for insomnia as secondary to tinnitus, and denied an increased rating for tinnitus. The Board also granted service connection for headache disability, low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for primary insomnia and a compensable rating for chronic mixed headache syndrome due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board granted service connection for a migraine headache disability, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied a rating greater than 50 percent for tension headaches, dismissed the appeal for a rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD with MDD, and denied a rating greater than 10 percent for chronic right inguinal pain.

The Board remands several issues, including service connection for headaches and ratings for a right femur disability, due to the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches, as the evidence did not show characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension and remanded the claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and migraine headaches, as the Veteran's claims were not received prior to April 19, 2022.

The Board denied a rating higher than 50 percent for posttraumatic headaches and a rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD with TBI.

The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and right and left knee disabilities. The claims for headaches, a lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were remanded.

The Board granted an effective date of January 19, 2016, for the award of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, cluster headaches, back muscle pain, rhinosinusitis, and right knee painful joint.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's headache disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to July 1, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for all the claimed conditions as there was no evidence to support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for headaches and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to obtain additional medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran was granted separate ratings of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance, a higher rating under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o), and a higher rating under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1).