Migraines & headaches decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in pre-decisional duty to assist, and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings were denied. The appeal for PTSD was withdrawn, asthma/shortness of breath was denied, chronic sinusitis was denied, and the Veteran's TBI-related conditions were also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a non-initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected fibromyalgia was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervicogenic headaches is remanded and will be adjudicated again.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disability and migraines prior to August 10, 2022 are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The initial rating for migraines is also being remanded as it may be impacted by the outcome of the service connection issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for migraines was denied as the evidence did not show characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder was also denied, as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), ulcers, and tension headaches secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to inadequate medical opinions.,VA will provide addendum VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for sinusitis is granted, with the effective date set at December 2, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and increased initial disability evaluation for migraines is granted, with the effective date set at April 28, 2022. The case is remanded to consider the impact of medication on the severity of his migraines.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective April 27, 2016. The TDIU is based on the combined disability ratings of his service-connected conditions: lumbar radiculopathy rated at 40%, migraine headaches rated at 30%, and hemorrhoids rated at noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, combined with other disabilities independently rated at 60 percent or more, qualifies him for special monthly compensation (SMC) due to housebound status effective April 27, 2018.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for migraines was denied, and his initial rating in excess of 10 percent for TBI was also denied.,The Veteran had service-connected migraines but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His TBI resulted in no more than level 1 impairment in any facet of cognitive impairment.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for service-connected tension headaches was denied, and the Board is remanding the case due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the evaluation for migraines with tension headaches, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches was denied. The claim for service connection for a thoracic lumbar spine condition was also denied, but the claim for cervical spine arthritis is remanded and will be reconsidered by the RO.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were incurred in the line of duty during her initial period of active duty for training, and she has a current disability. Service connection is granted for this condition. The Veteran did not have a back or knee disability that was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was continuously pursued, and the appellant is eligible to charge agent fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the June 2024 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for headaches, painful surgical scar, left chest, hypertension, left elbow degenerative joint disease, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome due to incomplete VA treatment records.,No effective date earlier than specified dates was granted as there is no probative evidence showing the conditions had their onset during service or are otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for migraine headaches and increased rating for lumbar spine disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, which is the highest possible rating under the applicable criteria. The Board found that the Veteran's very frequent and prolonged attacks of severe economic inadaptability warranted this rating.