Migraines and VA Disability Claims

Migraine

Migraine Claims Are Frequently Underrated or Dismissed

Migraine headaches are among the most common conditions claimed by Veterans and among the most misunderstood by the VA. Migraine claims are often denied outright or assigned ratings that bear little resemblance to how debilitating the condition actually is.



The VA tends to focus narrowly on frequency while minimizing severity, functional impact, and the cumulative effect migraines have on a Veteran’s ability to work and function day to day. That approach is inconsistent with the law and the rating criteria.

We represent Veterans nationwide in migraine claims and appeals, including claims for direct service connection, secondary service connection, and increased ratings. These cases succeed when the record reflects reality rather than shorthand assumptions.

How the VA Rates Migraines

Migraines are rated under Diagnostic Code 8100. The rating schedule focuses on the frequency, severity, and economic impact of migraine attacks, not just the presence of headaches.

In general terms:

• 0 percent ratings apply when migraines are present but noncompensable
• 10 percent ratings involve characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months
• 30 percent ratings involve prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month
• 50 percent ratings involve very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability

The VA often treats these categories as rigid checklists rather than flexible standards. Appeals are frequently required to correct that misapplication.

What “Prostrating” and “Economic Inadaptability” Actually Mean

Two terms dominate migraine decisions and are often misunderstood by the VA. Prostrating does not require complete incapacitation or hospitalization. It refers to attacks that force a Veteran to lie down, retreat to a dark space, or otherwise stop normal activity.

Severe economic inadaptability does not require total unemployability. It reflects significant interference with the ability to maintain consistent, reliable employment.

The VA routinely sets the bar too high on both concepts. The law does not support that approach.

Common Reasons Migraine Claims Are Denied or Underrated

Migraine denials and low ratings often stem from predictable errors, including:

• Minimizing migraines as “headaches” without functional analysis
• Ignoring lay evidence describing the real-world impact of attacks
• Overreliance on treatment notes that underreport severity
• Failure to consider medication side effects
• Discounting workplace impact because the Veteran continues to work

A denial or low rating often reflects how the record was interpreted, not the true severity of the condition.

Secondary Service Connection for Migraines

Migraines frequently develop secondary to other service-connected conditions. Secondary service connection is often the strongest pathway for migraine claims, yet the VA routinely resists it.

Conditions commonly linked to secondary migraines include:

• PTSD and other mental health conditions
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Cervical spine conditions
• Sleep disorders, including sleep apnea
• Medication effects from service-connected conditions

The law allows service connection when a condition is caused or aggravated by another service-connected disability. Aggravation alone is sufficient. The VA frequently overlooks this.

The Role of Medical and Lay Evidence in Migraine Claims

Migraine claims are driven by both medical evidence and lay testimony. Migraines are episodic and often underdocumented in treatment records. The law recognizes this.

Effective migraine evidence focuses on:

• Frequency, duration, and severity of attacks
• Functional impact during attacks
• Need for rest, isolation, or missed work
• Medication use and side effects

C&P examinations often fail to capture this nuance. Appeals succeed when the record fills those gaps clearly and consistently.

Migraine Claims and Employment

Many Veterans continue working despite frequent migraines, often at significant personal cost. The VA sometimes treats continued employment as evidence that migraines are less severe than claimed.

That reasoning is flawed. The rating schedule accounts for economic impairment, not perfection or resignation. Migraines may support high ratings even when a Veteran remains employed.



This distinction is frequently central to successful appeals.

How We Build Migraine Appeals

Migraine appeals require focus and discipline. We do not rely on generalized statements or medical buzzwords.

Our approach includes:

• Reviewing treatment records and prior examinations
• Identifying appropriate theories of direct or secondary service connection
• Developing evidence that addresses rating criteria directly
• Challenging inadequate examinations and reasoning
• Aligning lay testimony with legal standards

The goal is not to exaggerate symptoms. It is to ensure the record reflects how migraines actually affect daily life and work.

Veteran-Led Perspective on Migraine Claims

Migraines are often minimized because they are invisible and episodic. Veterans learn to push through pain, light sensitivity, nausea, and cognitive impairment because stopping feels like failure.

The law does not require endurance. It requires accuracy.

As Veteran attorneys, we understand how easily migraine claims are dismissed and how disruptive they are when left unrecognized. Our representation reflects that reality

Take the Next Step

If your migraine claim was denied, underrated, or dismissed as “just headaches,” the decision may not reflect the law or the evidence.

A properly developed claim or appeal can correct that.

Request a Free Case Review

We will review your decision, explain your options, and outline a strategy grounded in the medical evidence and the law.