Migraines & headaches decisions — 2026

The Board has already granted the requested earlier effective dates for the service connection of tinnitus, tension headaches, left knee strain, right hip strain (flexion, extension, and impairment), and left hip strain (flexion, extension, and impairment) in a previous decision. Therefore, this appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of aid and attendance, as he requires assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, medication management, and housekeeping/laundry due to his TBI, PTSD, OSA, headaches, lumbar spine disability, arthritis, and severe chronic back pain. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for separate compensable evaluations of headaches and a mild cognitive disorder associated with his service-connected TBI are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Board finds that the current evidence is insufficient to differentiate between symptoms related to PTSD, TBI, or both.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 50 percent rating for general headaches is granted, effective December 9, 2022. The Board found that the Veteran has completely prostrating and prolonged attacks of migraine/non-migraine pain occurring greater than once per month.

The Board has determined that the decision on appeal was not legally adequate and requires remand for further action, including obtaining a medical opinion from the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) regarding personal care services needs and supervision requirements. The AOJ must also provide compliant notice under 38 U.S.C. § 5104.

The Veteran's appeal for chronic rhinitis and sarcoidosis was dismissed. The appeals for erectile dysfunction, skin condition, scar, fibromyalgia, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, CFS, dental abscess, visual acuity, memory loss condition, myocardial infraction, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus were all dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for migraines headaches as the evidence did not support a finding that they began in or were caused by active service, including exposure to toxic risk activities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD and migraines are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty assist error. A VA examination is needed to address the relationship between his claimed conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues related to migraines and bilateral cataracts with primary open angle glaucoma and vitreous floaters prior to February 13, 2025 is dismissed due to previous adjudications.,The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for left knee and right knee disabilities are dismissed due to previous adjudications.,The Veteran's appeal of the TDIU claim prior to June 11, 2024 is dismissed as moot.,The Veteran's appeal regarding an increased disability rating for a right ankle condition is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for DEA is remanded.,The Veteran's appeal of service connection for cardiomyopathy with supraventricular arrhythmia is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for migraines is dismissed because the issue was already pending in a supplemental claim.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for neck disability is dismissed due to procedural issues, as the AOJ had not yet issued a notification letter regarding the January 5, 2024 decision.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic sinusitis, headaches, hyperhidrosis, hypogeusia, hyposmia, left hip femoral acetabular impingement syndrome and strain (status post arthroscopy with labral repair), gynecomastia surgery scars, and right index finger scar have all been denied.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions were evaluated based on their current manifestations without consideration of any presumptive exposure or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted, but the effective dates are determined based on new evidence received after initial decisions. The Veteran is now rated at 100% for congestive heart failure with cardiomyopathy and hypertensive heart disease and arteriosclerotic heart disease as of September 6, 2023.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to an effective date prior to June 23, 2023, for a 40 percent rating for right shoulder impingement syndrome (rotator cuff tendinopathy), and for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for rhinitis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for rhinitis was granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act, with an effective date set at August 10, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 10 percent for service-connected functional chronic constipation is granted. The claims for a higher rating for PTSD and tension headaches, as well as the request to reopen the right shoulder pain claim are denied.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and right upper extremity neuropathy were denied. The Board found that the frequency, duration, and severity of the Veteran's migraine symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For his right upper extremity neuropathy, the Board determined that the disability was primarily manifest by mild numbness and decreased neurological senses with no other significant findings such as trophic changes, loss of reflexes, pain, or muscle atrophy.

The Board has denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and migraines, finding that the Veteran's TBI clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, headache, sleep disorder, sore throat, and upper back disability have all been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of current disabilities in any of these conditions.,There are no persuasive medical findings or diagnoses supporting the presence of a current hearing loss, headache, sleep disorder, sore throat, or upper back disability.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with effective dates set for various benefits and service connection determinations. The Veteran received increased ratings for her cluster headaches and sciatic radiculopathy RLE, as well as service connection for fibromyalgia and IBS on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to duty-to-assist errors and additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, finding a link to active service. Service connection was denied for sinusitis and migraines.