You enlisted to defend your country but the things you saw and faced during your service left you with PTSD. Dealing with the symptoms of this trauma disorder already takes a big mental and physical toll, but now you’re also experiencing migraines.
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This combination of health problems isn’t uncommon, but can make getting through the day a challenge. Read on to learn more about how to get a VA rating for migraine headaches secondary to PTSD and what to do if you can no longer work because of these conditions.
In this article about the VA rating for migraine headaches secondary to PTSD:
PTSD in veterans
Mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are commonly diagnosed in veterans. The VA estimates around 7% of veterans experience PTSD at some point in their lives, which is slightly higher than the civilian average of about 6%. This number is significantly higher for veterans who engage in combat during their service.
In fact, according to VA’s most recent data, PTSD is the sixth most commonly service-connected condition for VA disability benefits. This makes it a more common VA disability claim than any other health condition. More than 1.4 million veterans currently receive compensation from the VA for PTSD.
Migraines in veterans
Migraines are another health concern diagnosed more commonly in veterans than civilians. These odds go up even more significantly for veterans who were deployed during military service, with one study finding 36% of participants who deployed to Iraq for at least a year experienced migraine symptoms.
Additionally, the VA has recognized many veterans who have migraines experience more severe symptoms than non-veterans. About 950,000 veterans currently receive VA disability compensation for migraines, making it the ninth most commonly service-connected condition.

Can PTSD cause migraines?
Research suggests there may be a connection between migraines and PTSD. Although the relationship between the two conditions is not fully understood, triggers for migraines can include stress, poor sleep habits, hormonal changes, and alcohol and nicotine use. All of these may be caused or worsened by PTSD.
Regardless of the exact reasoning, studies have consistently shown PTSD is associated with an increased likelihood of frequent migraine and headache symptoms.
If you believe your PTSD is causing migraines, talk to your doctor. They may be able to help you establish a medical connection between the two conditions, which could help you as you seek VA benefits for migraines secondary to PTSD.
VA rating for migraine headaches secondary to PTSD
To get a VA rating for migraine headaches secondary to PTSD, your PTSD will need to be service-connected. You may seek PTSD and migraine benefits at the same time, or migraine benefits after you establish a VA rating for PTSD.
However, regardless of the order, if you are claiming your migraines on a secondary basis to PTSD, you will need to be prepared to show how your PTSD ties back to your military service. The condition could be connected to something you witnessed in combat, military sexual trauma, a training accident, or any number of other stressors.
The VA rates PTSD using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders between 0% and 100%, depending on the severity and frequency of your symptoms. The criteria is as follows:
Migraines are rated using diagnostic code 8100 between 0% and 50% as follows:
Ratings are primarily determined based on how often you have “prostrating attacks.” Prostrating means to lie stretched out, face down, but is not defined in the code for the VA’s purposes. The term has been interpreted as the level of incapacitation a person experiences during a migraine. It may be considered as migraines that are severe enough to force you to stop other activities to rest.
TDIU for migraines and PTSD
In some cases, a veteran may be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for migraines secondary to PTSD. TDIU is also known as individual unemployability or simply IU. Veterans are eligible for these benefits if they can’t hold down “substantially gainful” employment due to their service-connected conditions.
Veterans with migraines and PTSD may struggle to work for many reasons. They may not be able to work well with coworkers or customers or focus on tasks. Showing up to work at all or staying through the day with both of these conditions may often be difficult.
Veterans who receive TDIU benefits are compensated at the same level as those with a 100% disability rating, even though their combined rating is below 100%.
Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:
- At least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
- Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more
“They brought me from being stuck at 30%. Denial after denial. Finally rated at 70%. Appealed for total and unable to work disability since 2014. Without Woods & Woods, I would still be stuck at 30%.”

F.H.
How Woods & Woods can help
Our TDIU lawyers have helped thousands of veterans nationwide who can no longer work because of their service-connected conditions. Call us today for your free, confidential TDIU case evaluation. You won’t pay us unless we win your claim.
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Frequently asked questions
If your PTSD is service-connected and you can establish to the VA that your PTSD is the cause of your migraines, you could be eligible for a VA rating for migraines secondary to PTSD.
Studies have shown veterans may be more likely to experience migraines than their non-veteran counterparts, especially those who deployed overseas during their service.