Migraines & headaches decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's migraine headaches, which are secondary to his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's rating for migraine headaches was restored to 30 percent effective September 1, 2020. The reduction from 30 percent to 0 percent was found to be improper due to the continued presence of migraines that meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability was denied, as the evidence did not show ankylosis or forward flexion to 15 degrees or less.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic headaches was granted with a 50% rating.

The Veteran's headaches are granted service connection as they are secondary to his service-connected temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is denied due to lack of in-service disease or injury. Service connection for left hip, right hip, and cervical spine disabilities is also denied.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for the listed conditions, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and migraine, finding that the Veteran's conditions are etiologically related to his active duty service. The decision is based on the most persuasive evidence weighing in favor of these findings.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for hearing loss due to a deferred decision. The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, tinnitus, headaches, hypertension, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability have all been denied or not addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, and for headaches or migraines (headache disorder) due to the lack of current diagnoses in the record.

The appeal of left upper extremity radiculopathy (claimed as left hand numbness) is dismissed. The appeals for bilateral eye light sensitivity, bilateral foot condition, migraines headaches, and right hand numbness in fingers are all denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, coronary artery disease with stable angina, bradycardia, and implanted pacemaker (CAD), transient ischemic attack (TIA), and migraines have been dismissed due to concurrent appeals in separate appeal streams.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, migraines, cervical spine disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee disability, and left shoulder disability. However, no new evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, or any other musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, finding that his headaches began during active military service and are related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, headaches, cervical strain, left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, and tinea pedis have been denied. The effective date of the awards is October 13, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, but dismissed the claim for fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 29, 2018 for the award of service connection for tension headaches was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for his tension headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's mixed muscle contraction and vascular headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they have not manifested with very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder with depression is currently rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it has not manifested with total social and occupational impairment.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50% for migraines was denied. The Board found that the current 50% rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.,The Veteran's PTSD and TBI claims were also denied, with ratings maintained at their existing levels.

The Board denied service connection for migraines, abdominal pain, right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, sinusitis, asthma, and chronic cough. The Veteran was found to have tension headaches but no current diagnosis of migraines.,There is evidence of a current disability in the form of diagnosed tension headaches.