Migraines & headaches decisions — 2026

The Board has decided that the Veteran's migraine headaches are service-connected, but remanded the hearing loss claim due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for left knee strain, right knee injury, cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain to include degenerative disc disease and IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and tension headaches have been granted effective October 9, 2023.,The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date were denied as the appropriate effective date is October 9, 2023.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches has been dismissed due to procedural defects.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and headaches, finding that both conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, as he is unable to dress, undress, feed himself, manage his medications, cook, clean, or drive due to his conditions. The Board granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and chronic headaches due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA will obtain additional opinions on these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for dizziness and a separate rating for dizziness due to his service-connected migraine disability. The appeal is being remanded to obtain relevant medical records and conduct an adequate VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a gynecological disability, including irregular menses, dysmenorrhea, and ovarian cysts, as well as migraines, including migraine variants. The Veteran's current conditions are related to her military service.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection as it had its onset during his active service.,For the other conditions, including jaw condition, neck condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right hand condition, left hand condition, right foot condition, chest pain, and shortness of breath, there is no probative evidence showing they were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's headaches, associated with PTSD, are currently rated at 30 percent. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence does not show that the headaches meet or approximate the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is granted as his current disability and symptoms are related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for TBI, migraine headaches, and memory loss due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's contentions of in-service head injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD, but has remanded the claims of sleep apnea and migraines due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC at the intermediate rate. The rating for left knee flexion limitation is granted, as well as instability ratings for the left knee. Tinnitus remains rated at 10 percent. Service connection claims related to a left ear condition, depressive disorder with anxiety, left shoulder impingement syndrome, and migraine headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's BPPV is granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted an initial rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder is found to include sleep disturbances, which are granted as a secondary condition. The claims for sleep apnea and right big toe disability are denied. Other rating appeals are dismissed due to procedural defects.

The Board has remanded the claims for lower back condition, migraines, right knee condition, left knee condition, right shoulder pain, bronchitis, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure due to missing community care notes. The AOJ is instructed to make reasonable efforts to obtain these records.

The Veteran's headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all found to have begun during his active service.,Service connection is granted for migraine and tension headaches (headaches), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected mood disorder. The issue of service connection for headaches is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches and female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) as secondary to PTSD, and entitlement to a TDIU due to her now service-connected PTSD.