The Board denied service connection for headaches (claimed as migraines) because the Veteran does not have a qualifying current disability. The evidence indicates that the headache symptoms were a side effect of medication and not an independent disability.
The deciding factor: The Veteran does not have a qualifying current disability, and the medical evidence indicates that the headache symptoms were a side effect of Gabapentin.
- Claimed conditions
- headaches (claimed as migraines)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 13, 2025
- Citation
- A25002651
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,506 · Granted: 43% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A25002651.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for headaches and sinusitis due to an improper concurrent election of multiple review options. The claim for service connection for GERD was remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of service connection for headaches (claimed as migraines) to correct pre-decisional errors, including a lack of adequate medical opinion and consideration of pre-existing conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic bronchitis and headaches are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. A new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his conditions, including PFT results.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, headaches (claimed as migraines), back strain, and neck strain. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.
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