Migraines & headaches decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches due to conflicting evidence and need for further clarification.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the PACT Act decision in February 2025.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are rated at a 30 percent disability rating from February 28, 2000, to April 5, 2021. The Board found that the evidence showed characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over several months, which meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating under DC 8100.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for migraine headaches and right ankle impingement were denied. The Board found that the earliest effective date available was June 27, 2019.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches due to a failure to timely file a Notice of Disagreement. The issue of service connection for tinnitus is remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for treatment purposes only under 38 USC Chapter 17 for a disability of the spine and migraine headaches, as there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection for left hip strain, right hip strain, and migraines have been granted. The claim for service connection for cervical strain is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and headaches/migraines are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions addressing causation, aggravation, and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for migraine, including migraine variants, is granted at a 10 percent level from July 20, 2023 to May 31, 2024, and from October 1, 2024. A higher rating of 30 percent is also granted from June 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024.

The Board has denied service connection for headaches, rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, a lumbar spine disability, and an erectile dysfunction disability. The Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ have also been denied.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is rated at 50% effective from the date of decision.,Tension headaches are now rated at 50% effective from August 5, 2022. Prior to that date, they were rated at 10%. The earlier effective date for TDIU was granted on January 15, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30% disability rating for service-connected tension headaches is denied. The RO assigned the correct effective date of December 31, 2024, as it was the date the Veteran filed his VA Form 21-0966.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis and continuous symptoms since service separation meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Veteran's right leg varicose veins are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating.,The Veteran's lower back condition is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating. The claim for a higher rating is remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 10 percent evaluation, effective from September 18, 2024. The Board found the Veteran's symptoms equated to the criteria for a 10 percent rating but not higher.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches prior to October 16, 2020 is remanded due to the need for an opinion addressing the severity of her migraines without the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disability, migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, CFS, and PTSD due to lack of a current diagnosis. The appeal is now remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral otitis media, tinnitus, and migraines have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.,Specifically, the Veteran does not meet the auditory threshold requirements for hearing loss under VA regulations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for migraines, a left shoulder disability, a right elbow disability, a left wrist disability, and a bilateral ankle disability.