Migraines & headaches decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches alone did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and he does not meet the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has remanded 16 claims for service connection due to a failure to provide notice of the right to a hearing on a supplemental claim.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, frequent falls and unbalance, headaches, right shoulder disability, back disability, left hip disability, and left knee disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were linked to service.,VA examinations and etiology opinions found no link between the Veteran's current diagnoses of sleep apnea syndrome and frequent falls and unbalance with his military service.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for migraine and tension headaches has been granted at a 10 percent level, effective July 16, 2024.

The Veteran's claim for a 50% rating for migraine headaches is denied as it is not factually ascertainable that his migraines increased in severity to warrant such a rating within the year prior to the receipt of his January 10, 2023, claim. The effective date remains at January 10, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded.,Effective dates for the awards of service connection will be determined based on the specific issues addressed.

The Veteran's increased ratings for left and right hip tendinitis, migraines, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain have been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder are found to be related to his in-service stressors, specifically personal assault. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,There is no current evidence of a diagnosed chronic chest pain condition during the appeal period. The claim for this issue is denied.

The Board granted a 100% evaluation for PTSD and awarded special monthly compensation, as well as service connection for bowel disabilities, lower extremity radiculopathy, headaches, and back disability. The decision also addressed the Veteran's request for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches began during service and have persisted since then, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spine disability is granted at a 50 percent level, effective from the date of the decision.,The Veteran's initial rating for migraines is granted at a 50 percent level, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for migraines is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to obtain a medical examination and opinion that accounts for the effects of medication on her migraine symptoms.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 50 percent rating for service-connected migraines, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's condition warranted such a rating prior to April 19, 2024.

The Veteran's effective date for adding his mother as a dependent parent to his VA disability compensation award is granted, with the effective date being November 10, 2022.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headache disability is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches, which he claims began during service and have continued since then, are service-connected. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay statements about his headache history.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent effective February 28, 2024. The Board has granted a higher rating for the condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for tinnitus is denied as his disability has already been rated at the maximum allowable level.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because there is no evidence of a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes during the pendency of this appeal.,Service connection for a right shoulder disorder, headaches, TMJ dysfunction, hypertension, vertigo, and respiratory condition are all denied as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's motion to revise the April 2020 rating decision that granted a 30 percent disability rating for migraine headaches effective October 9, 2018 on grounds of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is denied. The claim for an earlier effective date prior to July 29, 2020, for the award of a 50 percent disability rating for migraine headaches is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for an addendum opinion regarding service connection for migraines, including consideration of potential exposure to toxic exposures.