{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/headaches","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:08.034Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Headaches","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":2187,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":10.6,"denied_pct":13.8,"remanded_pct":71.4,"granted_on_merits_pct":43.5,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":106,"granted_pct":9.4,"denied_pct":12.3,"remanded_pct":67},{"year":2018,"issues":226,"granted_pct":7.5,"denied_pct":8.8,"remanded_pct":80.5},{"year":2019,"issues":261,"granted_pct":5,"denied_pct":14.2,"remanded_pct":77.8},{"year":2020,"issues":258,"granted_pct":8.1,"denied_pct":12,"remanded_pct":75.6},{"year":2021,"issues":223,"granted_pct":8.5,"denied_pct":9.9,"remanded_pct":73.5},{"year":2022,"issues":192,"granted_pct":8.3,"denied_pct":10.4,"remanded_pct":72.4},{"year":2023,"issues":260,"granted_pct":8.8,"denied_pct":16.2,"remanded_pct":67.3},{"year":2024,"issues":290,"granted_pct":13.8,"denied_pct":16.2,"remanded_pct":65.9},{"year":2025,"issues":301,"granted_pct":21.3,"denied_pct":20.3,"remanded_pct":56.1},{"year":2026,"issues":105,"granted_pct":13.3,"denied_pct":14.3,"remanded_pct":69.5}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":71.1,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":429,"granted_pct_with":56.8,"granted_pct_without":40},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1795,"granted_pct_with":43,"granted_pct_without":46.8},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":559,"granted_pct_with":42.9,"granted_pct_without":43.6},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1100,"granted_pct_with":29,"granted_pct_without":50.3},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":796,"granted_pct_with":46.5,"granted_pct_without":42.4},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":121,"granted_pct_with":61.5,"granted_pct_without":43.1},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1934,"granted_pct_with":45.7,"granted_pct_without":27},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":84,"granted_pct_with":33.3,"granted_pct_without":43.8},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":176,"granted_pct_with":37.5,"granted_pct_without":43.9}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"headaches rated under dc 8100","decisions":10},{"reason":"attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability","decisions":7},{"reason":"productive of severe economic inadaptability","decisions":6},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":6},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":5},{"reason":"migraines rated under dc 8100","decisions":4}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":11},{"reason":"benefit of the doubt / evidence in equipoise","decisions":10},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":5},{"reason":"headaches not prostrating","decisions":4},{"reason":"no evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks","decisions":4},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":4}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040584","year":2026,"judge":"LESLEY A. REIN","rationale":"Evidence approximately balanced.; Benefit of the doubt applied.; Headaches associated with service-connected allergic rhinitis."},{"case_id":"A26037602","year":2026,"judge":"S.C. KREMBS","rationale":"Granted 50% rating from August 5, 2022 onward; Headaches characterized as very frequent, completely prostrating; Impacted concentration and daily functioning, meeting highest rating criteria"},{"case_id":"A26036990","year":2026,"judge":"SHEREEN M. MARCUS","rationale":"Reduction of rating was procedurally improper; Failure to provide requested pre-determination hearing; Restoration of 50% rating is warranted"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26037602","year":2026,"judge":"S.C. KREMBS","rationale":"Denied higher rating prior to Aug 5, 2022; Headaches characterized as averaging one prostrating attack per 2 months; Did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on frequency/severity"},{"case_id":"A26035299","year":2026,"judge":"TIMOTHY COTHREL","rationale":"Migraine headaches rated under DC 8100.; 10% rating for attacks averaging one in two months.; 30% rating requires attacks averaging once a month.; VA exam showed less frequent prostrating attacks.; Need for OTC medication and rest did not meet higher criteria."},{"case_id":"A26032864","year":2026,"judge":"M. C. GRAHAM","rationale":"Evidence did not meet criteria for 30% rating (attacks once a month).; Veteran experienced attacks averaging once in 2 months.; No completely prostrating attacks noted by examiners."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}