The VA rating for migraines ranges from 0% to 50%, based on how often your attacks occur and how severely they affect your ability to function. Migraines are more than just headaches—they can be painful, disabling, and significantly reduce your quality of life.
If you developed migraines due to your military service, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may award a disability rating that qualifies you for monthly benefits.
Below, we explain how the VA rates migraines and how a Houston Veterans Disability lawyer from our firm.
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Understanding What a Migraine Is
A migraine is more than just a bad headache. It’s a condition that affects the brain and causes strong, repeated head pain. Migraines can last for hours or even days. They often make it hard to do normal activities like working, driving, or talking to others.
Some veterans start having migraines during or after military service. These may be caused by head injuries, loud noises, stress, or other things that happened while they served.
The VA knows that migraines can be linked to service, but it’s important to understand how they differ from regular headaches.
Is a Migraine Different From a Headache?
Yes, migraines are very different from regular headaches. A common headache might feel like pressure or tightness in the head. But a migraine usually causes strong, throbbing pain, often on one side.
Other symptoms of a migraine can include:
- Feeling sick to your stomach or throwing up
- Trouble seeing clearly or seeing flashing lights
- Being bothered by light, noise, or smells
- Feeling dizzy or tired
- Having a hard time thinking clearly
Migraines can come in stages. Some people feel warning signs before the pain starts. Others see lights or shapes in their vision—this is called an “aura.” Migraine pain may last a long time. After it ends, you might feel weak or tired for hours.
These attacks can be so strong that you have to lie down in a dark, quiet room and do nothing until it passes. That’s what the VA calls a “prostrating” attack. These kinds of migraines may qualify for higher VA disability ratings.
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A Look at How the VA Rates Migraines for Disability Benefits
The VA uses Diagnostic Code 8100 to assign a disability rating for migraines. The rating depends on how frequent, severe, and disabling your migraine episodes are.
Ratings are typically given in four tiers:
0% Rating
You experience migraines, but they do not significantly affect your ability to function or work. No monthly benefits are awarded at this level, but service connection is acknowledged.
10% Rating
Migraines occur on average once every two months over several months. These attacks are described as characteristic prostrating attacks, meaning they are serious enough to require rest or leave you unable to function temporarily.
30% Rating
Characteristic prostrating attacks happen on average once a month over several months.
50% Rating (Maximum)
Prostrating migraine attacks are very frequent. They usually occur multiple times per month and cause severe economic inadaptability. This means they significantly interfere with your ability to hold a job or maintain daily responsibilities.
What Does “Prostrating” Mean in VA Claims?
The VA uses the term “prostrating” to describe a migraine that forces a veteran to stop all activity and rest, often lying down in a dark, quiet room. This isn’t just discomfort—it’s a debilitating episode that disrupts life and work.
Your VA migraine rating depends heavily on whether your attacks are documented as prostrating and how frequently they occur. The more disruptive and regular the attacks, the higher the potential rating.
How the VA Calculates Payments Based on Your Rating
The VA gives monthly payments based on your disability rating. The more your migraines affect your life, the higher your rating—and the more you may receive.
Here’s what that might look like:
- 10% rating: You may get a small monthly check.
- 30% rating: You may get more money, and possibly extra if you have dependents.
- 50% rating: This is the highest rating for migraines. It means your condition is severe and often keeps you from working or doing everyday tasks.
Even a 10% rating shows the VA agrees your condition is service-connected. But if your migraines make it hard to live your life or keep a job, you may deserve more—and we can help you get it. You can view the 2025 VA disability rates and pay chart here.
We’ll Fight for the VA Disability Rating That Reflects Your Condition
Getting the right VA rating for migraines isn’t always easy. The rules are strict, and the VA often downplays how disabling migraines can be. Our Houston disability lawyer will navigate the system and fight for the rating you deserve.
Here’s how we help:
- Collect strong medical evidence to support your claim.
- Work with expert medical professionals who can explain how your migraines are tied to your service
- Lead your appeal if the VA gave you the wrong migraine VA rating.
- Build your case so that the VA sees the full effect migraines have on your life. This can include any secondary conditions you may have.
Because we focus on and handle only disability claims, we know how the VA operates. We also understand what it takes to prove how migraines truly affect your life.
What Evidence Do You Need to Prove a VA Migraine Claim?
To receive a VA rating for migraines, you must prove three key things:
- Current diagnosis: You must have a medical diagnosis of migraines from a qualified healthcare provider.
- In-service event or injury: You need evidence that your migraines began during service or were caused or worsened by your time in the military.
- Nexus (connection): A nexus letter is a medical opinion or evidence that links your migraines to your service.
Supporting evidence may include:
- Treatment records
- Headache logs or journals
- Statements from family, friends, or coworkers
- Medical opinions from neurologists or primary care doctors
Secondary Conditions Related to Migraines
Migraines are often linked to other health issues, which may allow for additional VA claims. Common secondary conditions include:
- Anxiety or depression
- Sleep disorders
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Cervical spine issues
- Visual impairments or auras
If your migraines cause or are caused by another service-connected condition, you might be eligible for secondary service connection and additional ratings.
What Happens if the VA Denies Your Migraine Claim?
It is common for the VA to underrate or deny claims for migraines. Common reasons include:
- Lack of clear documentation on how often the migraines occur
- Not enough evidence showing that the migraines are prostrating
- No established connection to military service
If you’ve been denied or received a lower-than-deserved rating, you have the right to appeal. You can submit new evidence, request a higher-level review, or take your case to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
Signs Your Migraine VA Rating Might Be Too Low
Even if you already have a VA rating for migraines, it might not match how bad your condition really is. The VA doesn’t always get it right, especially if they didn’t have all the facts during your exam.
We will advise you on when you may want to request a higher rating. You can do so if any of the following apply:
- Your migraines happen more often than the VA documents.
- You have to miss work or cancel plans often.
- Your symptoms got worse over time.
- The VA didn’t count all the ways your migraines affect your life.
- You didn’t get a chance to fully explain your condition.
You don’t have to settle for a rating that feels too low. We will review your case and help you fight for the benefits you’ve earned.
We Can Appeal the VA Rating for Your Migraines—Call Us
Understanding what the VA rating for migraines involves is an important step toward getting the benefits you’ve earned through your service. The VA rating system is complex, and too many veterans settle for unfair decisions. You don’t have to handle it alone. We will help you.
Marc Whitehead & Associates has been helping disabled veterans since 1992. Disability is all we do, and for over 30 years, we’ve focused only on disability claims, which means we understand exactly what you’re going through.
Let us fight for the VA rating you deserve. Call today for a free consultation. You won’t owe us a thing unless we win your case.