Migraines & headaches decisions — 2026

The Board has dismissed all issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including migraines, traumatic brain injury, tinnitus, facial scarring, back disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, acne, chest and back scars, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, back disability, left hip disabilities based on impairment of the thigh and limitation of extension, and right knee disability have been restored with respective ratings. The right knee disability has also been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed as the claim has already been granted. The appeal for service connection for headaches, which was secondary to service-connected chronic rhinitis and sleep apnea, is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's migraine headaches, finding that they began during and have continued since active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for his service-connected migraine including migraine variants is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, sinusitis, rhinitis, and IBS have been granted. The Veteran is also awarded a 30 percent disability rating for his IBS. However, the Veteran's requests for increased evaluations for his left and right knee disabilities were denied.

The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia disorder and migraine headaches were granted effective October 25, 2021.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for headaches and his claim for TDIU from August 31, 2011, to February 20, 2018 are both remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's headaches, finding that the evidence showed less frequent attacks of migraines and no prostrating or severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of a current bladder disorder diagnosis. Other issues are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, the highest rating available under the schedular criteria. The Board found that the Veteran had characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over the last several months.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are granted, and her thoracic spine disability is rated at 20 percent. The rating for the thoracic spine disability remains unchanged as there is no evidence of flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error in the November 2020 VA medical opinion, and an addendum opinion is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's migraine headaches.

The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and secondary service connection for migraine headaches has been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a left arm disability and blurred vision have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various foot, knee, hip, back, neck, and headache disabilities are being remanded.

The Veteran's initial 50 percent rating for tension headaches is granted, while his increased rating request for IBS to include GERD remains denied.

The appeal for service connection of right and left knee disorders, as well as evaluations for left ear hearing loss, right shoulder, and left shoulder has been dismissed.,The appeals for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) claimed as chronic tiredness, disability claimed as frequent sickness due to burn pits, and sleep apnea and sleep difficulties have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, plantar fasciitis, migraines, and esophagus disability were denied service connection as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Specifically, the VA examiner found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was less likely caused by TERA exposure. The examiner noted anatomic risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea such as obesity, a short neck, and postmenopausal status.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sinusitis, rhinitis, and migraine headaches have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims were denied. The rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder was denied, as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Hypertension and allergic rhinitis were also denied as they did not meet the required diagnostic criteria.