How Your Military Service Can Cause Migraines

If you are living with migraines following the end of your military service or that may have developed from a service related condition, you could have grounds for a disability claim through the VA. Before you file, it is helpful to understand how your military service might result in migraines to begin with.

It is not enough to suspect your condition is due to your time in the military. You will need to establish not only that you have been diagnosed with migraines, but also that they are linked to a service-related event. If you are dealing with a denied claim during this process, the team at Gang & Associates is here to help. Talk to a VA attorney today to learn more.

Migraines and Military Service

There are many factors that can increase the risks of suffering a migraine attack. What’s more, many veterans have one or more of the comorbidities that increase the odds of a migraine. Some of these include the following:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries can cause a host of secondary health issues, including migraines. Any damage to the brain can result in long-term chronic pain. This condition is all about the irregular flow of blood to the brain. When the brain is damaged through injuries like concussions or contusions, it can leave a person facing a long-term increased risk of migraine attacks.

Neck Trauma

Experts have yet to fully understand the connection, but suffering neck trauma has also been linked to migraines. Neck injuries are not uncommon in the military, making this one of the most likely factors in migraine attacks. This trauma can occur under a wide range of circumstances, from combat to training accidents.

Lack of Sleep

In addition to contributing to conditions like sleep apnea, a lack of sleep has also been linked to migraines. This is problematic, given the widespread issues in the military with getting adequate amounts of restful sleep.

Other Triggers 

Veterans are as susceptible as anyone else to the other triggers that have been linked to migraines. These factors include the following:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Tobacco
• Skipping meals
• Medication conflicts
• Overexertion

Signs of Migraines

Getting a clear picture of whether or not you are suffering from this condition is vital if you plan to pursue a migraine VA rating. These conditions might be confused with stress headaches among some veterans, but they can bring with them serious and lasting consequences. Tracking these symptoms could be invaluable to you during the claims process.

Unlike many other types of medical conditions, it is often possible to notice the signs of a migraine before it strikes. It is possible that you might notice signs of a “pre-headache,” which is more formally known as prodrome. Prodrome is different for everyone and does not occur before all migraine attacks.

Some of the signs of prodrome are unusual and entirely unrelated to headaches. You might find yourself craving specific foods, feeling thirsty, or becoming irritable. Often, the combination of these symptoms will stand out as unusual.

The symptoms of a full-blown migraine are different. The most common aspect of a migraine is severe, throbbing pain that is typically in one side of the head. This pain can last between 4 and 72 hours. Additional attacks can occur not long after the last has finished. In addition to the pain, migraines can also cause other issues, including:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Visual disturbances

How Migraines Differ From Other Headaches

Most people assume that migraines are just another type of headache. In reality, severe headaches are only one of the symptoms that come with this condition. Migraines are something more than just a headache; they are a neurological condition caused by a number of factors.

Unlike standard headaches, migraines occur in four different phases. Not all of these phases will be obvious to a veteran as they occur. These phases include:

Prodrome

As discussed previously, prodrome occurs one or two days before a migraine attack. These symptoms differ from what you will experience during the migraine itself, and they might not be obvious to everyone. They can include anything from fluid retention to food cravings and mood changes.

Aura

There is a second phase that can occur prior to the migraine itself, although not everyone experiences it. Known as aura, this phase involves a number of short, reversible symptoms targeting the nervous system. They occur before the onset of any headache, but they can be distressing and confusing for many people. Some of the most common signs of an aura include visual phenomena like bright spots or flashing lights. You might also deal with difficulty speaking or vision loss. In addition to these sensory issues, an aura might also lead to pins and needles in the arms, legs, or face.  

Attack

The attack phase is when the pain begins. It can last for as long as 72 hours and include throbbing, pulsing pain in the head that makes it difficult to concentrate or perform even simple tasks. In addition to headaches, most people report sensitivity to sounds, light, and smells. Others deal with nausea and vomiting.

Post-Drome

The immediate aftermath of a migraine can be especially difficult. During this phase, you may feel physically drained or confused for hours. While the headaches have generally subsided by this point, pain is still possible through sudden head movements.

Migraines and Military Service By The Numbers

There is no question that extensive links have been found between traumatic events in the military and migraine diagnoses. To better understand the scope of this condition among veterans, it can be helpful to review the extensive research that has been done on this topic. According to the VA, more than 1.9 million veterans were diagnosed with migraines or other headaches from 2007 to 2022. During this time, there has been a 122% increase in migraine cases among those who have served. In 2022 alone, over 460,000 veterans sought medical care for some kind of headache disorder through the VA.

According to a 2024 journal published by the American Medical Association, migraines are far more prevalent among women who have served compared to male veterans. While 8.2% of male veterans have reported a history of migraines, that number jumps to over 30% for females. It is important to note that the sample size for this survey included dramatically more men than women, which could potentially skew these numbers.

Research also shows that veterans are more likely to experience migraines compared to civilians. The VA reports that 36 percent of all veterans who have completed at least a 12-month deployment were either diagnosed with migraines or showing symptoms of the condition. This is more than three times the rate of migraines among their civilian counterparts.

Secondary Conditions Triggered by Migraines

Migraines are not isolated events; they often create a chain reaction of health problems that can be just as disabling as the headache itself. Over time, chronic migraines may trigger or worsen additional conditions that affect a veteran’s daily functioning, mental health, and overall quality of life. These secondary conditions are important in VA disability claims because they may be compensable when clearly linked to migraine disorders.

Anxiety

Migraines can create constant worry about when the next attack will strike. The unpredictability of attacks often leads veterans to avoid social activities, travel, or other potentially triggering environments. Over time, this persistent fear may develop into generalized anxiety disorder, with symptoms such as restlessness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

Depression

The emotional toll of chronic pain can leave veterans feeling hopeless and detached from family and friends. Frequent migraine episodes often limit work opportunities and diminish enjoyment of daily life, fueling depression. Symptoms may include withdrawal, fatigue, sadness, and loss of interest in activities once valued.

Sleep Disorders

Migraines disrupt healthy sleep patterns. Many veterans experience insomnia or restless sleep because of pain or the fear of awakening with a migraine. Poor sleep in turn worsens migraine frequency and severity, creating a cycle of exhaustion that impairs concentration and mood. In some cases, migraines may aggravate preexisting conditions such as sleep apnea.

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is another condition linked to migraines. The stress and irregular sleep associated with chronic migraines can worsen acid reflux, and certain medications used to treat migraine pain may also irritate the digestive system. Veterans may experience heartburn, regurgitation, or chest discomfort tied to both conditions.

Vertigo

Migraine-associated vertigo is a recognized complication in which veterans experience dizziness, imbalance, or spinning sensations. Vertigo may occur during a migraine or independently between attacks. This condition interferes with mobility, increases fall risks, and can seriously limit a veteran’s independence.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is another secondary condition often associated with migraines. Veterans may notice worsening ear noise or pressure during attacks, which can persist even between episodes. The combination of tinnitus and migraines can lead to additional stress, disrupted sleep, and difficulty concentrating.

How the VA Rates Migraines

The Department of Veterans Affairs assigns ratings in migraine cases that reflect how severely the condition interferes with a veteran’s ability to earn a living as a civilian. These ratings typically range from 0 to 50 percent, with a higher percentage indicating a more serious condition.

A 0 percent rating is given when a veteran has a migraine diagnosis, but the condition does not significantly interfere with how they function on a daily basis.  At 10 percent, the VA recognizes that attacks occur but are less frequent, often averaging one every two months, and cause only minor impairment. A 30 percent rating is assigned when migraines occur on a monthly basis, creating more noticeable disruption to work and social life.

The highest rating, 50 percent, is reserved for veterans who experience what the VA describes as “very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks” that are productive of severe economic inadaptability. “Prostrating” means the attack is so debilitating that the veteran must stop all activity, often lying down in a dark, quiet room until the episode passes. Prolonged attacks lasting hours or even days, especially when they prevent steady employment, are critical factors in achieving this rating.

Unlike some conditions rated up to 100 percent, migraines are capped at 50 percent. However, veterans may still qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and other service-connected disabilities if their migraines prevent them from maintaining gainful employment.  This provides you with the opportunity to get the maximum available benefits each month, even without having a 100 percent rating.

Deadline to Appeal a Denied Migraine Claim

When the VA denies a migraine disability claim, you are not completely out of luck. You have the opportunity to appeal the decision and get the benefits you deserve, but only if you act quickly. The VA allows one year from the date of the decision letter to file an appeal. This deadline applies no matter which type of appeal you select.

Missing this one-year window means the decision becomes final, and you will need to start over with a new claim. Because the appeals process can be complex, it is important to have an attorney review your case and assist you along the way. Federal law prohibits law firms from handling your case initially, but you are allowed to hire legal counsel when appealing a denial or a disappointing rating. Let our firm answer your questions and assist you with every step of the process.

Denied Migraine Claim? Speak with an Attorney at Gang and Associates Experienced in Service-Connecting Your Migraine Condition

Suffering from migraines can be difficult, especially if you are living with other health conditions as well. While these headaches can impact anyone, they are especially common among veterans. Despite this fact, the VA rejects disability claims based on migraines on a regular basis. If your claim was denied, you still have the chance to get the benefits you deserve.

At Gang & Associates, our VA disability attorneys have extensive experience navigating the appeals process to service-connect your migraines. The denial of your claim does not have to be the end of your chance for compensation. Contact us today to learn more.