Public rules. This is not your rating.

Migraines — public rules, in plain words

This page shows VA’s public rules for migraines in plain words. Then it shows the exact words from the rule book. It is not your rating. We do not say you have migraines. We do not file.

Official schedule last verified 2026-10-04. We teach and organize. We do not file.

What we help you do

We help you review your documents against the published rating criteria. Rating criteria are the public rules VA published. This is education and organizing. It is not a promise of a rating. We do not decide the claim. We do not file.

Official sources

Why the papers have to say it

A VA exam is a short visit. Write how often something happens, how long it lasts, and how it stops normal life, only if that is true. If those facts are not in the papers you send, the exam may not have them. We do not write them for you. We do not file.

Published levels (38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8100)

CFR means the Code of Federal Regulations. DC means diagnostic code. Those are public rule numbers.

Published: With very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability — 50% in the rule book (a level in the rule book, not your rating and not your pay).

The highest migraine level uses the words “very frequent,” “completely prostrating,” “prolonged,” and “severe economic inadaptability.” In plain words: attacks that come often, last a long time, stop you, and hurt your ability to work. Say that only if it is true. This page does not say you meet it.

Published: With characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over last several months — 30% in the rule book (a level in the rule book, not your rating and not your pay).

The word “prostrating” is the one that changes the level. In plain words, it means an attack that stops what you are doing, often so you have to lie down. This page does not say your attacks meet that word.

Published: With characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in 2 months over last several months — 10% in the rule book (a level in the rule book, not your rating and not your pay).

Same idea, less often: about one attack every two months over several months. How often matters. How bad the pain is, by itself, is not the whole rule.

Published: With less frequent attacks — 0% in the rule book (a level in the rule book, not your rating and not your pay).

Attacks that come less often are still a level in the rule book. A 0 is a published level. It is not a decision about you. It is not a promise of pay.

38 CFR 4.124a, Schedule of ratings—neurological conditions and convulsive disorders

What the rule is about — only what you actually have

Medical records you already have that mention headache or migraine. We do not go get them.
A headache diary you keep: date, how long, and whether you had to stop. Only days that happened.
A statement in your own words, and a note from someone who saw an attack. We do not write those.
A doctor’s separate diagnosis, if you already have one. We do not make up a diagnosis.

Other conditions

The brain-injury rule says a problem with its own name, such as migraine, can use its own rule instead of the brain-injury table. PTSD and neck problems are separate. People sometimes have those too. That is a possible added claim. It is not a diagnosis. It is not advice to file one.

Questions if a statement leaves these out

Questions only. They do not make up a fact. They do not write the statement.

Over the last several months, about how often do the attacks come — only if you can say without guessing?
When an attack happens, do you have to stop what you are doing, often to lie down? Only if that is true for you.
How long does an attack usually last? If you do not know, say you do not know.
Has an attack kept you from work or ordinary activity? Describe only what you live with. Do not chase a higher band.
Do you keep a headache diary or similar log? List only records that exist.

Forms you can open

There is no migraine-only form on VA’s additional-forms page. The disability application is VA Form 21-526EZ. You fill it out and send it. We do not submit it.

Application for disability benefits

VA Form 21-526EZ. Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits.

There is no form that is only for migraines. This is the application you fill out and send. We do not send it.

You fill this out and send it to VA. We do not fill it in with your records. We do not send it. We do not make a packet that is ready to file.

Signed in? The forms list only helps you keep track. It does not fill a form. It does not send it.