Migraines & headaches decisions — 2026

The Board has found that additional development is needed to correct duty to assist errors and remand the cases for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of migraines was denied, and the claim for a 30 percent evaluation for GERD was granted. The decision also noted that the Veteran's migraines are not productive of severe economic instability.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the claim of service connection for headaches. The Veteran's supplemental claim is being remanded to allow for a VA examination and an updated opinion regarding the relationship between his headaches and his service-connected depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI disabilities are granted with initial ratings of 70 percent. IBS is granted effective August 21, 2014. The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at a 10% disability rating, effective from the date of the June 2020 decision. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent since January 6, 2020, due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks that caused severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his service-connected headaches has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew the appeal through his representative.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for migraines and reduction of his right knee strain evaluation have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis, migraine headaches, hypertension, and tinnitus are granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to burn pits during her service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's current headache disorder, including migraine headaches, began during service or within one year of service separation, and is otherwise related to his in-service complaints of or treatment for headache symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of total occupational and social impairment. The Veteran also does not meet criteria for TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal regarding the reduction of her headaches disability evaluation from 50% to noncompensable effective June 1, 2025. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been dismissed due to procedural defects.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for pelvic inflammatory disease has also been dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD, and remanded the claim of service connection for migraines due to service-connected PTSD, tinnitus, and toxic exposures.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for hypersomnia due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her appeal. The appeals for cervico-occipital neuralgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines, and a seizure disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right ankle disability, bilateral foot pain, bone fracture, and an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD, anxiety, and depression has been dismissed due to the concurrent election issue. The claims for headaches and hypertension are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report, and a new examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's headaches.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for headaches, finding the evidence in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran experiences characteristic prostrating attacks on average once a month. The decision is subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted effective March 27, 2013, as he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since that date.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including stroke, neck condition, headaches, and nerve damage, prevent her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).