VA Migraine Claim Guide
How the VA rates migraines based on prostrating attack frequency, the specific evidence that separates a 10% from a 50% rating, and the common links to PTSD and tinnitus as secondaries.
Migraines are rated 0%, 10%, 30%, or 50% based on the documented frequency of prostrating attacks. A 50% rating requires very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks producing severe economic inadaptability.
Migraine ratings hinge almost entirely on one specific word — 'prostrating' — meaning attacks severe enough to force you to stop activity and lie down, typically in a dark, quiet room. Documenting the actual frequency of these episodes, not just general headache frequency, is everything when it comes to the rating you end up with.
Proving Service Connection
You need a current diagnosis, evidence of an in-service event or onset, and a medical nexus tying the two. Many veterans miss the third piece.
How It's Rated
Rating Levels
- 0% — less than one prostrating attack every 2 months
- 10% — one prostrating attack every 2 months on average
- 30% — one prostrating attack per month on average
- 50% — very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks producing severe economic inadaptability
Evidence That Helps
- A headache log recording dates, duration, and severity of each attack, distinguishing prostrating from non-prostrating episodes
- Treatment records and prescription history documenting ongoing management
- Statements from family members or coworkers who've observed the impact firsthand
- Documentation of missed work directly attributable to migraine episodes
Have PTSD and wondering if your migraines could be connected?
See Migraines Secondary to PTSDRelated Secondary Conditions
- PTSD and anxiety
- Tinnitus
- TBI
What Counts as 'Prostrating' — And What Doesn't
A headache that's painful but still allows you to keep working or functioning normally generally doesn't meet the prostrating standard, even if it's genuinely unpleasant. The distinction matters because the entire rating ladder is built around this specific threshold — a log that clearly separates prostrating episodes from ordinary headaches is far more useful to a rater than a general count of 'bad headache days.'
Economic Inadaptability at the 50% Level
The top rating specifically requires evidence of 'severe economic inadaptability' — meaning the migraines are frequent and severe enough to meaningfully interfere with your ability to work. Missed workdays, reduced hours, or documented performance impact are the kind of evidence that supports this specific element of the 50% criteria, beyond just attack frequency alone.
Frequently asked questions
Conclusion
If you have a current diagnosis and an in-service link, a migraine claim is worth filing. Educational only. Not legal advice.
Have PTSD and wondering if your migraines could be connected?
See Migraines Secondary to PTSD