The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches but denied service connection for an unspecified anxiety disorder (claimed as insomnia and mental health). The Veteran's tension headaches are found to have begun during active service, while the evidence does not support a finding that his anxiety disorder began in service or is related to any in-service injury or disease.
The deciding factor: The Board resolved reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran regarding his tension headaches, as he reported having had them since service. However, there was no persuasive evidence linking his unspecified anxiety disorder to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Tension Headaches, Unspecified Anxiety Disorder (claimed as insomnia and mental health)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 4, 2026
- Citation
- A26010266
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26010266.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective February 20, 2025. The Board finds the reduction improper and restores the 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted SMC at the rate of 50% for his service-connected conditions from April 20, 2020 to June 7, 2021.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and earlier effective dates for tension headaches and lower back condition. The remaining issues of service connection for eye, neck, persistent cough, TBI residuals, and bilateral leg conditions are REMANDED.
- Granted
The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at a 10% disability rating, effective from the date of the June 2020 decision. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.
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