Migraines & headaches
Migraines are rated on how often prostrating attacks occur and their effect on work. Lay evidence and a headache log can be persuasive; nexus to service is the common dispute.
Across 9,372 real Board appeals for Migraines & headaches
70% were granted, partly granted, or remanded.
A denial is often not the end — remands are sent back for more development and frequently end in a grant.
- Granted 18%
- Partly granted 29%
- Remanded 23%
- Denied 21%
What tends to win
Among the appeals that were granted or partly granted, the most common ways Migraines & headaches was linked to service:
- Direct service connection3,187
- Secondary to another service-connected condition558
- Reopened with new & material evidence253
How it’s rated, in practice
When Migraines & headaches was granted, the rating most often assigned was:
- 50% (723)
- 100% (670)
- 30% (391)
- 10% (208)
- 70% (151)
Presumptive & exposure paths
These appeals involved a recognized exposure — which can mean the link to service is presumed, with no nexus to prove:
- Gulf War165
- PACT Act146
- Burn pits & airborne hazards72
- Camp Lejeune water58
- Agent Orange / herbicides46
Real decisions
- Granted
The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted a 50 percent disability rating, effective August 8, 2023, due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks that are productive of severe economic inadaptability.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches as proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.
- Granted
The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's migraine headaches based on prostrating attacks occurring more than once a month and severe economic inadaptability.
- Granted
The Veteran's migraine headaches have been granted a maximum schedular rating of 50 percent from June 16, 2016.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder with anxious distress, alcohol use disorder, tension headaches, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and erectile dysfunction, all of which are found to be related to the Veteran's military service.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of November 5, 2021, for the grants of service connection and eligibility for DEA benefits.
What you can do next
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.