Migraines & headaches decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and initial ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines but has remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's left hip strain, right hip strain, and migraine disorder have been granted service connection.,However, the claim for a gastrointestinal disability (IBS) is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 50% disability rating for headaches and service connection for chronic sinusitis were denied as it is not factually ascertainable that there was an increase in severity within one year of the filing of his initial claim on June 15, 2016.

The Veteran's headache disability is rated at a 30 percent effective June 1, 2022. The Board finds that the evidence supports this rating as it shows frequent and prostrating headaches.

The Board has determined that a remand is needed to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the need for regular aid and attendance on a substitution basis. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's heart condition appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claim.,Service connection for IBS and migraines has been granted, with IBS being secondary to service-connected somatic symptom disorder and migraines linked to service-connected tinnitus and GERD.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tension headaches, finding that the persuasive weight of the evidence did not support a finding of at least characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once per month over the last several months during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30% disability rating for service-connected migraines is denied because the initial grant of service connection and noncompensable rating became final, and no increase in severity was shown within one year prior to the August 27, 2019, supplemental claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, finding that her condition began during service and continued post-service with a demonstrated continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes related to bilateral hearing loss. The appeals for service connection for other conditions are remanded due to failure of the VA to provide the Veteran with VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, left shoulder disability, and headaches as these conditions are etiologically related to the Veteran's in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's initial 50 percent rating for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is granted. Other conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), type II diabetes, erectile dysfunction, nephrolithiasis and pyelonephritis, lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, and bilateral restless leg syndrome are also granted. Service connection is established for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error regarding when the Veteran began missing work due to his service-connected headaches prior to June 4, 2008. The AOJ is requested to obtain information on the Veteran's past employment and submit any relevant medical or lay documentation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to military service and granted. The Veteran's tension headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU based on depression alone and SMC, as his MFR was denied by the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), headaches, tinnitus, a back disorder, right knee and leg arthritis, left knee and leg arthritis, right hand arthritis, left hand arthritis, right ankle arthritis, and left ankle arthritis as they are at least as likely as not related to active-duty service.

The Veteran's eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is being remanded due to a lack of adequate explanation in the VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran requires personal care services based on the criteria listed in 38 U.S.C. § 1720G(a)(2)(C) and 38 C.F.R. § 71.20(a)(3).

The Veteran's effective date for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is set to March 11, 2021. He was granted a higher level of SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(p) at level (n).