Migraines & headaches decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for a back disability, an initial compensable rating for headaches, and entitlement to TDIU require further development due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's service connection for fractures of the TM joint of jaw was granted, but his secondary service connection claim for headaches was denied. The decision is mixed as it addresses both issues.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on aid and attendance is granted, with the effective date set at October 11, 2021.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for headaches and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran is seeking secondary service connection based on his service-connected PTSD.

The appellant's PTSD was granted an effective date of February 7, 2022. His initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied. The Board has remanded the claims for migraine headaches and allergic rhinitis to allow for further evaluation.,TDIU is also currently pending and will be addressed in a future decision.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected migraine disability is remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's disability rating for tension headaches was reduced from 30 percent to 0 percent, effective October 1, 2024. The Board found that the reduction was improper and restored the original 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches are now rated at 50% effective January 31, 2024. The VA determined that the Veteran has very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum disability rating of 50 percent for the entire period on appeal, as his symptoms meet the criteria for very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks that are productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was denied in January 2009 due to lack of available STRs. The claim was reconsidered after the STRs were obtained, and it was confirmed that service connection could not be granted based on those records. The Veteran did not appeal within one year, nor did he submit new evidence within a year. He filed another claim for reopening in December 2014, which resulted in an effective date of December 18, 2014. The Board found no legal basis to grant an earlier effective date and denied the claim.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spondylosis is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to correct any errors in the evaluation process.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's migraine headache disorder is granted a 50% disability rating from May 11, 2023. Service connection for bilateral foot disability is denied as the preexisting condition did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for tension headaches and service connection for ED were denied. The claim of entitlement to service connection for diarrhea was dismissed due to the AOJ decision deferring the issue.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of migraine headaches, as it is unclear whether they are related to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The case will be reviewed with a new medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's migraine headaches and his service-connected conditions.

An initial 30 percent disability rating for temporomandibular disorder syndrome with fracture repair of parasymphysis of mandible is granted from September 12, 2023, to August 12, 2025.,An initial compensable disability rating for migraines is denied since August 13, 2025.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA is denied as there is no current diagnosis of OSA or sleep apnea.,Service connection for migraines was granted with an effective date of May 6, 2022. The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for migraines and GERD is denied.,Service connection for GERD was granted with an effective date of April 11, 2022. The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for migraines and GERD is denied.,The initial rating for migraine headaches has been increased to 50 percent, effective May 6, 2022.,The initial rating for GERD has been increased to 30 percent, effective April 11, 2022.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision, satisfied with his current total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted an initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher. Service connection for sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claims for cervical spine spondylosis and lumbosacral strain are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches has been denied. The effective date will be the earliest date that the increase is factually ascertainable, which in this case is November 26, 2019.