Migraines & headaches decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer alone, combined with other disabilities rated at least 60 percent, meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate. The decision grants SMC based on TDIU being warranted due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is granted, effective February 13, 2013. The evidence shows he requires assistance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines and GERD were granted with effective dates of December 19, 2022.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted for migraine, asthma, and esophageal condition (GERD with Barrett's esophagus). The Board found that the Veteran's conditions manifested during his active service and are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Veteran was granted a higher rating for migraine headaches, but the other claims were either not granted or had their effective dates delayed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded her claim for service connection for migraine including migraine variants (claimed as headaches). The decision on the hearing loss claim is pending, while the migraine claim requires additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for migraines prior to December 19, 2024 is dismissed. The appeal of the reduction in her allergic rhinitis disability rating from 10 percent to noncompensable is also dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the combined effects of service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) associated with PTSD, bruxism, and migraines including migraine variants.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates related to service connection and increased ratings have been denied as the earliest date of receipt of claim is January 24, 2023.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, which was dismissed. The other service connection claims remain pending.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for headaches, finding that they are secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and PTSD.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include GAD and insomnia as moot because the Veteran is already service connected for cervicogenic headaches, which are related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's IBS is rated at 30 percent, effective September 21, 2021.,Migraine and chronic intermittent headache are rated at 30 percent from February 22, 2023 to June 15, 2023. Since then, the rating remains denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, foot disabilities, shoulder, ankle, hip, knee, and multi-joint arthritis. The Board also granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD with substance use disorder, severe.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and lumbosacral strain are granted. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for insomnia and migraines, both claimed as secondary to service-connected tinnitus. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on his reported symptoms of difficulty sleeping due to tinnitus and occasional migraines.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraines and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted as they are found to be related to her service-connected sinusitis, rhinitis, and major depressive disorder.,Both conditions were determined to be secondary to the Veteran's existing service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than June 23, 2020 for urticaria and a compensable rating for hypertension are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for allergies is denied as there is no current diagnosis of allergies.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is denied as there is no current diagnosis of headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches are due to, a result of, or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. As such, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of October 22, 2010 for service connection of Traumatic Brain Injury and its associated headaches. Service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder was denied as not meeting the criteria for an earlier effective date.