Migraines & headaches decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and to obtain updated VA treatment records from Dr. K. Metzgar.

The Veteran's PTSD, chronic sinusitis, and migraines have been granted effective dates and ratings. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to February 6, 2025, with an initial compensable rating for chronic sinusitis and a 50% rating for migraines as of February 17, 2023.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and MDD have been granted effective from the dates of their respective claims.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the LUE, posttraumatic headaches, IBS, and left shoulder strain has not yet been established.

The Veteran's left shoulder arthroscopic labral tear repair with residual pain and decreased range of motion is granted a disability rating of 30 percent, but no higher. Other conditions are denied or not rated.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings on several conditions have been dismissed due to procedural issues. The claims were improperly docketed, leading to the dismissal of the appeal.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for tension headaches is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has experienced characteristic prostrating attacks averaging once a month, warranting a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 8100. However, the matter of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his tension headaches is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches is granted as the onset of his condition coincided with his active-duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an extension of time to file a Board Appeal request regarding the April 18, 2024 rating decision that granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, rhinitis, and migraines and denied service connection for a left knee strain. The appeal was dismissed as untimely.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been granted a disability evaluation of 50 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities are remanded for further examination to determine the appropriate disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have aggravated his current diagnosis of sleep apnea, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition as secondary to his migraines.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus as secondary to service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The claims for lumbar spine, neck, left hip, and left knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, to include as due to a service-connected disability, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, or migraine headaches. Service connection was also denied for various conditions including PTSD, PDD, SSD, GAD, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and abdominal pain syndrome.

The Veteran was awarded service connection for a psychiatric disability, right foot disability, and headache disability in July 2024 with an effective date of March 1, 2024. He is seeking an earlier effective date prior to this.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, headache disability, OSA, and PTSD due to a lack of evidence supporting these conditions or their relationship to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, finding that his current disability is related to his exposure to toxic fumes during active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The spondylolisthesis with degenerative arthritis is granted a separate 10 percent rating for painful extension and denied any higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance was denied because he failed to report for a necessary VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable disability ratings for chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and tension headaches have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a 10% or higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches (to include migraines), and a cervical spine disability. The claims are being remanded to the AOJ for further development.,No specific rating or effective date was assigned in this decision.