Migraines & headaches decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to the assigned dates of October 21, 2022, and May 1, 2023, for service connection were denied as there was no factual basis to establish entitlement before those dates.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent effective from April 15, 2022.,A compensable evaluation for the disfiguring scar of the neck is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in development and insufficient opinions regarding service connection for a headache disability, including secondary to psoriatic arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities substantially contributed to his death, and therefore grants service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines has been granted. The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for deviated nasal septum with septoplasty residuals is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a headache disability on a direct basis, but has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's headache is secondary to her service-connected PTSD.

Entitlement to a rating of 50 percent, but not higher, for chronic headache disorder is granted from April 22, 2023.,Entitlement to a rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for hemorrhoids is granted from April 22, 2024.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted.,Service connection for coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction status post coronary artery bypass graft with stent is granted.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood) is granted as secondary to tinnitus.,Service connection for right upper extremity diabetic neuropathy is granted.,Service connection for left upper extremity diabetic neuropathy is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is found to have caused his obesity, which in turn caused his obstructive sleep apnea. His migraine headaches are also found to be related to his service-connected right knee disability and are rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board has restored the reduced disability ratings for the service-connected right and left upper extremity radiculopathies, as well as the vascular headaches secondary to head injury. The evidence showed no actual improvement in these conditions under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's headaches did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to lack of characteristic prostrating attacks.,For his service-connected persistent depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, the Veteran is assigned a 50 percent disability rating based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected chronic headaches, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate characteristic prostrating attacks of headache pain at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further investigation into toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for migraines due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's claims file must be provided to an examiner for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of his claimed migraines.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates because she did not continuously pursue her claims within one year of the October 2023 rating decision granting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for tension headaches was granted. Service connection is denied for hypertension, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, left elbow disability, hemorrhoids, right knee disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches, left knee disability (limitation of extension and flexion), and right knee disability (limitation of extension and flexion) have been denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity and symptomatology of his disabilities.

The Board has granted a 70 percent rating for the Veteran's PTSD, effective April 15, 2019. The Veteran is denied entitlement to a TDIU based solely on his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his claims related to BPPV, bilateral hearing loss, and left eye condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for hypertension and recurrent headache disability due to incomplete records from the Veteran's Navy Reserve service.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that her complaints of headaches during service and post-service align with a current diagnosis.,Service connection for gastrointestinal disorder (including intestinal neoplasm and IBS) is denied. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of IBS, and polyps were found to be unrelated to service exposure.