The Key to Winning a VA Migraine Claim: Diagnosis, Symptoms, and Nexus
When filing a VA claim for migraines, there are three essential things to understand. Each of these components is vital, and without them, your claim could be denied or undervalued. In this article, we’re going to focus on:
- The Big Three: Diagnosis, symptoms, and nexus
- The importance of using a migraine log
- The legal language and rating criteria you need to understand
1. You Need a Diagnosis
You absolutely need a formal diagnosis of migraines. Many veterans are prescribed medications or treatments without ever being diagnosed — which can be a huge problem when it comes to filing a claim.
If your primary care doctor is hesitant, ask for a referral to a neurologist or specialist. And if the VA still won’t provide a diagnosis, consider seeing a private physician. The origin of the diagnosis doesn’t matter as much as having one.
2. Know the Difference Between the VA Health and Benefits Administrations
Don’t blur the lines between your treatment providers (VHA) and those processing your benefits (VBA). Avoid talking about your claim intentions with your VA doctor. Just describe your symptoms truthfully and pursue the diagnosis independently of your benefits discussion.
3. Document the Severity of Your Symptoms
Migraines are subjective, and most veterans underreport their severity. One of the biggest challenges is proving that your migraines are completely prostrating and demonstrate severe economic inadaptability.
The best way to prove this is by keeping a migraine log. We highly recommend using the Migraine Buddy App, available in both app stores. Start logging every attack — frequency, duration, impact, missed work, etc. Ideally, do this for at least 4–6 months before filing your claim.
4. Why the Migraine Log Matters
This log becomes objective medical evidence. No doctor is going to follow you around to track your symptoms. Your log will show when the migraines occurred, how long they lasted, and what impact they had. This can make or break your claim.
Don’t rely on memory alone — start documenting each episode with notes like:
- “Completely prostrating, had to leave work.”
- “Occurred during daughter’s recital — couldn’t attend.”
- “Started at 4 PM — missed anniversary dinner.”
5. Demonstrating Severe Economic Inadaptability
The VA wants to know how your migraines are affecting your work and social life. This is where a buddy letter comes in.
Have your spouse, family members, coworkers, or supervisors write statements explaining how your migraines impact your ability to function daily. These should include examples like missed workdays, being unable to drive home, social cancellations, and more. Your credibility as a veteran matters — but additional voices strengthen your case.
6. Use the Right Language
Understand the terms the VA uses in its rating criteria. Words like “prostrating” and “severe economic inadaptability” appear in the 50% rating level for migraines. Learn what they mean and make sure your medical evidence supports them.
Final Thoughts
Start today. Whether it’s through an app, a journal, or a spreadsheet — logging your migraines with detailed information will drastically improve the strength of your claim. Pair that with a proper diagnosis, consistent treatment history, and solid buddy letters, and your chances of winning the claim the first time increase significantly.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not official legal or medical advice. Portions of this article may include personal opinions based on real veteran experiences and observations.
