Migraines & headaches decisions — 2026

The Veteran's migraines are found to have begun during his active service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches, as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, and for a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the character of the Appellant's discharge is a bar to VA benefits, and thus did not address his service connection claims. The case is being remanded for the AOJ to obtain missing records related to the special court-martial and complete a new determination on the character of the discharge.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral blepharitis and corneal pannus, eczema, tinnitus, OSA, diabetes, left foot diabetic neuropathy, right foot diabetic neuropathy, migraine headaches, and hypertension was granted as of March 29, 2022. The effective date is set to the date of claim due to the Veteran's intent to file a claim prior to this date.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and an initial rating of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, effective April 26, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, other than his loss of use of right hand and foot, do not independently render him in need of regular aid and attendance. Therefore, SMC at the (l) rate is denied.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at 50% and her patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right and left knees remain at 10%. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's migraines including migraine variants have been rated at the maximum of 50 percent, which is considered a very frequent and severe condition that significantly impacts her ability to work.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the October 2025 remand directives and additional medical opinions discussing the ameliorative effects of medication related to the Veteran's lumbar spine, right shoulder, and headache disabilities must be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is dismissed as moot because their migraines have been rated at 50% effective June 29, 2016.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches has been granted at a maximum of 50 percent, effective March 3, 2017. Separate ratings of 10 percent and 30 percent have also been granted for TBI residuals and BPPV, respectively, both effective June 25, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed headache disability. The claim will be reconsidered with a new examination for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and tension headaches have been dismissed due to a withdrawal request.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for traumatic brain injury is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any diagnosis or treatment for the claimed conditions. The Board finds that there is no evidence of in-service injury, disease, or event related to these conditions.,There are no diagnoses or treatments noted for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia during active service. The claims are denied as there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if they were caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, MDD, and insomnia.

Your claim for service connection for migraines headaches has been granted, and you are now receiving the full benefit sought. The effective date is July 22, 2024.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including right hip pain, scar from surgery, migraines, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for migraine headaches, but a remand is required to assign an initial rating prior to August 10, 2022.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a potential duty-to-assist error. A new examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's headaches.