Migraines & headaches decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches and scoliosis, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions worsened during service. Service connection is denied for left shoulder disability and insomnia.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his headache disability, including whether it was caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions and whether VA properly prescribed lisinopril.

The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for tension headaches and a 10 percent rating for hypertension, both effective April 20, 2025. The earlier effective dates of October 25, 2023, were granted for the increased ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tension headaches (also claimed as hypertensive headaches) has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraines was granted at a 30 percent level, effective June 9, 2023. The Board found that the Veteran's migraine headaches meet the criteria for this rating based on their frequency and severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, headaches, TDIU, and sarcoidosis have been granted. The effective dates are set to the date of receipt of her initial claim: December 1, 2021 (fibromyalgia and headaches), February 2, 2015 (sarcoidosis), and December 23, 2021 (TDIU).

The Veteran's service connection for migraines (headaches) was granted, but his claim for sinusitis was denied.

The Veteran's headaches, GERD, left shoulder pain disorder, right shoulder pain disorder, and back pain disorder are all found to be service-connected.,All relevant medical records support the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to December 10, 2019, for a 50 percent evaluation assigned for migraines. The evidence showed that the Veteran experienced very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability starting from December 10, 2019.

The appeal for service connection for arrhythmia bradycardia and chronic sinusitis with headaches is dismissed.,The appeal for service connection for hypertension, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a left eye disability and a headache disability (claimed as TBI) due to the lack of evidence showing current disabilities during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for chronic migraines and mood disorder are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Board finds the evidence sufficient to meet the low threshold for providing a medical examination in response to these claims.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted effective May 22, 2012. The Board found that the evidence was at least approximately balanced regarding whether she should have an earlier effective date.

The appeal for service connection of a psychiatric disorder is dismissed as the claims have been granted in previous decisions. The case is remanded to obtain VA medical records and conduct a TERA examination.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 30 percent, but the Board has granted a higher rating of 50 percent due to very frequent and severe attacks that impact his economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted higher disability ratings for the Veteran's PTSD and headaches, effective August 2023. The appellant is eligible to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the May 2024 rating decision.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50% and his seizure disorder is rated at 20%. The Board also granted TDIU based on the combined effect of these service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist and regulatory duties. The Veteran's OSA is being evaluated for its relationship to service, including his service-connected conditions and TERA exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of prostate cancer, migraines, and chronic sinusitis due to an impermissible concurrent election.

The Board has identified several duty-to-assist errors and is remanding the claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records, lack of proper notification, and inadequate examinations.