Migraine Headaches
Migraines are recurring severe headaches, often with nausea and light sensitivity. VA rates them entirely on how often you have 'prostrating' attacks - attacks so severe you must stop what you are doing and lie down.
How the VA rates it
The rating turns on the frequency and impact of prostrating attacks, not on headache pain alone. 'Prostrating' means the attack forces you to stop all activity, typically to lie down in a dark room. The top 50 percent rating also requires that the attacks cause 'severe economic inadaptability' - a serious impact on your ability to work.
Rating criteria by percentage
Rated up to 50%Very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability - attacks that repeatedly knock you out of commission and seriously interfere with earning a living.
Characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over the last several months.
Characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in 2 months over the last several months.
Less frequent attacks.
What those terms mean
- prostrating
- — An attack so severe you must stop what you're doing and lie down — you cannot work or function until it passes.
Secondary condition strategy
Commonly claimed secondary to this
Conditions veterans often develop from this one — each can be its own rating under 38 CFR 3.310.
- Major Depressive Disorder — Depression is commonly claimed secondary to chronic migraines because of the impact of frequent debilitating pain on daily life and work.
This is often secondary to
If you already have one of these service-connected, it may support connecting this condition.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) — Post-traumatic headaches/migraines are one of the most common TBI residuals and are rated separately under 8100 rather than inside the TBI facet table.
- Cervical Strain (Neck) — Cervicogenic headaches and migraines are commonly claimed secondary to chronic neck conditions.
- Tinnitus — Migraines are sometimes claimed secondary to chronic tinnitus and associated sleep disruption.
Evidence that strengthens this claim
- Keep a headache log: date, duration, whether you had to stop activity and lie down, and any missed work. Frequency of prostrating attacks is the entire rating criteria.
- Get the words 'prostrating' and frequency ('once a month or more') into your treatment records - ask your provider to document how attacks affect your ability to function.
- For the 50 percent level, document work impact: leave records, missed shifts, accommodations, or employer statements showing severe economic inadaptability.
- If your migraines started after a head injury or worsened alongside a neck condition, say so explicitly and ask your provider for a nexus opinion.
Rating rules to know
If migraines are a residual of a service-connected TBI, they are rated separately under 8100 and combined with the TBI rating - but the same symptoms cannot be counted under both the TBI subjective-symptoms facet and 8100.
More neurological conditions
Sciatic Radiculopathy (Lower Extremity)
Sciatic radiculopathy is nerve pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness radiating from the low back down the leg, usually caused by a spine condition pressing on the sciatic nerve root. VA rates it per leg based on how severe the nerve impairment is.
Rated up to 80%
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage in the feet, legs, or hands causing burning pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness - most often from diabetes. There is no single diagnostic code: VA rates each affected nerve in each extremity separately.
Rated up to 80%
Upper Extremity Radiculopathy (Cervical Radiculopathy)
Cervical radiculopathy is pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness radiating from the neck into the shoulder, arm, or hand from a compressed nerve root. VA rates it per arm, with higher percentages for your dominant (major) arm.
Rated up to 70%
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve at the wrist, causing numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand. VA rates it per wrist under the median nerve code, with higher percentages for your dominant hand.
Rated up to 70%
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Residuals
TBI residuals are the lasting effects of a head injury - problems with memory, concentration, mood, headaches, dizziness, and more. VA rates TBI with a unique facet-based system where your single worst area of impairment sets the rating.
Rated up to 100%
Seizure Disorder (Epilepsy)
Epilepsy and other seizure disorders are rated on how often you have seizures. Major (grand mal / tonic-clonic) seizures with loss of consciousness count for more than minor seizures, and a confirmed diagnosis guarantees at least 10 percent.
Rated up to 100%
Disclaimer: Valor Rating is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Always review your documents carefully before submitting to the VA. For official guidance, consult an accredited VSO, claims agent, or attorney.