VA Disability Ratings for Headaches & Migraines

If you have experienced headaches or migraines in or since your time of service, you can file a claim with the possibility of receiving one of the following disability ratings for compensation from the VA:

1. 50%- If you suffer from frequent, prolonged attacks that are fully prostrating (making you have to lay down), leaving you with the inability to work

2. 30%- Prostrating attacks occur at an average of at least once per month over the course of a few months

3. 10%- prostrating attacks one for every two months

4. 0%- attacks are infrequent

The keyword the VA will be looking for is “prostrating.” According to M-21-2, the VA’s internal adjudication manual, here are some of the key terms the VA will be looking for when reviewing your claim:

1. Prostrating- causes extreme exhaustion, debilitation, incapacitation or powerlessness with an increased inability to engage in regular activities

2. Completely Prostrating- powerlessness or extreme exhaustion with a complete, total inability to engage in regular activities

3. Severe Economic Inadaptability- explains a degree of significant work impairment. It doesn’t mean you are unable to gain gainful employment.

4. Very Frequent– Number of prostrating attacks are less than one month apart

Secondary Claims

You can also file a secondary claim for headaches. For example, if your already service-connected hypertension(high blood pressure) causes you headaches you can file a secondary VA claim for the headaches.

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