Migraines & headaches decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for left elbow, bilateral shoulder, and migraine conditions based on the Veteran's reports of onset during service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, migraine headaches, lumbosacral strain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral knees, and LEFT ankle strain prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for her back disability and migraine headaches were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 40 percent for her back disability, as there was no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). Her migraine headaches are already rated at the maximum under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches is granted, effective from August 4, 2022. The date of receipt of the Intent to File was not considered as the effective date due to lack of evidence showing severe economic inadaptability prior to this evaluation.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of various joint and muscle conditions, including left shoulder strain, limitation of flexion; right shoulder strain, limitation of flexion; left elbow strain, limitation of flexion; right elbow strain, limitation of flexion; left knee strain, limitation of flexion; right knee strain, limitation of flexion; left thumb condition; left index finger condition; left long finger condition; left ring finger condition; and left pinky finger condition. The Board also denied earlier effective dates for service connection of irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is being remanded due to a lack of an adequate VA opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected tinnitus and his migraines.

The Veteran's tension headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,New evidence has been submitted that may support service connection for a neck condition. The claim is remanded to allow for further review.

The Veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing and an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate has been denied. The Veteran does not meet the specific legal criteria required to establish eligibility for these benefits.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Board requires additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his right arm disability, etiology of his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and etiology of his migraines.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and a low back condition due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms will be considered in any new medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder as secondary to migraine headaches has been dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed conditions, or that they are due to service.

The Veteran's headaches with lightheadedness are rated as total and combined with other service-connected disabilities to meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate since August 6, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, finding that the Veteran's headaches were not related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 30% from February 21, 2009 to April 19, 2025 and at 50% since April 20, 2025.

The Board denied service connection for liver function, lower back condition, migraines, pancreatic cyst, and skin condition.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Migraine Headaches secondary to the Veteran's already service-connected psychiatric disorder. The effective date is April 1, 2024.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability, in-service event, injury, or illness related to the Veteran's claimed conditions. Therefore, service connection for bilateral elbow condition, bilateral hand condition, bilateral knee condition, neck condition, prostate cancer, headaches, and left eye vision problem is denied.

The Veteran's GERD is not rated as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7206.,The Veteran's tension headaches are not rated as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine including migraine variants has been granted an initial 50 percent rating, effective October 17, 2022. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms are productive of frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.