Migraines & headaches decisions — 2026

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches and a cervical spine disability as they have already been granted in a June 2025 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headache disorder, residual pain of lumbar spine, sciatica of the left lower extremity, and sciatica of the right lower extremity all related to the Veteran's period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) from May 2, 1986 to August 30, 1986.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including arthritis in the joints (lower back and right shoulder), GERD, migraine headaches, high blood pressure, and erectile dysfunction. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a back condition, migraines, and vertigo due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus and left foot hallux valgus are denied as they were clearly and unmistakably not aggravated during his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a compensable rating for migraine headaches prior to September 12, 2024 due to inadequate retrospective opinion regarding the nature and severity of the Veteran's headaches during the period from September 2015 to September 2024.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, left knee injury, right hip injury, and left hip injury is denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for sleep apnea is also denied because the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis. The Board finds that his lay statements do not satisfy the third prong of McLendon v. Nicholson.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, back condition, and migraines. The claim for service connection for anxiety is remanded due to a lack of an adequate rationale in the previous medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for service-connected headaches is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the severity of his condition, considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder and headaches, claimed as TBI symptoms have resulted in the inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and acute intermittent tension headaches has been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of these conditions.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder or bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was granted effective October 13, 2023. The Board finds that continuous pursuit of the claim since September 7, 2021, warrants an earlier effective date of September 7, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC), as well as his claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD. Additionally, he is being asked to provide an opinion on whether his headaches are due to or aggravated by service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD. The other conditions (headaches, sleep apnea, left knee condition, right knee condition, and back condition) are denied as not related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as other conditions. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, but the claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for vision disability, sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches (migraines), and skin disabilities. The Veteran will be provided with a hearing as requested.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gastrointestinal disability including GERD with esophagitis, left hip disability, and lower back disability. The claim for right eye condition (claimed as migraines) is being remanded.,The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral ankle condition, right wrist condition, and allergic rhinitis due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, effective January 21, 2026.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy with sciatic nerve involvement each receive a rating of 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied due to untimely filing of the Board Appeal requests. The appeal was dismissed.