The VA rating system is a metric to determine the eligibility and severity of a veteran’s disability. This rating helps the VA determine the compensation rate you may receive based on the severity of your disability. The higher the rating, the more benefits you will receive from the VA.
VA ratings are expressed by percentages. For example, a 0% VA rating means that your disability is eligible for service connection and medical care, but lacks the severity for monthly compensation.
This article will explain the VA rating system for migraine eligibility and point out the factors that can help you to achieve the highest ratings in relation to your symptoms.
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Understanding VA Rating for Migraines
The VA rating system is a metric developed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. It’s a scale of metrics ranging from 0% to 100% and is used to understand the severity of a veteran’s disability. By getting a specific rating, veterans can receive compensation and other benefits from the VA.
Unlike the total body disability rating scale the VA rating for migraines is limited to 50%. Therefore, you can receive a rating of 0%, 10%, 30%, or 50% based on the severity of your migraine.
Factors that Determine VA Rating for Migraines
- Frequency of Migraines: Veterans who do not experience migraine attacks frequently may receive a 0% VA rating, while more frequent attacks will increase the VA rating.
- The Severity of Migraines: If your migraine is extremely painful and lasts multiple days as well as causes other issues such as sleep deprivation or sensitivity towards lights, it is a severe example of a migraine. Increased severity means a higher rating on VA’s scale.
- Impact of Migraines on Daily Life: Prostrating migraines can affect the everyday life of veterans, especially at work. Therefore, a person can face economic inadaptability due to their conditions. The more your migraine affects your daily life, the higher your disability rating should be.
Medical Evidence for VA Migraine Claim
It’s essential to provide factual evidence when getting a VA migraine claim. Here are the types of records you will need when going through this process:
- Medical records from a certified healthcare provider
- A personal record (a diary/journal) of the veteran with information on the frequency of migraines including the time and date
- Employment records that show how migraines led to the person missing work
- Statement from family, coworkers, friends, etc. that describe the person’s conditions
- Nexus letter that service connects the migraine
Rating Criteria for VA Migraine Claim
Four different ratings are available for your migraine claim. We will describe what these ratings mean according to VA’s Diagnostic Code:
0% Rating
Less frequent migraine attack without any prostrating episodes leads to a 0% disability rating. In this case, “less frequent” would mean migraines that happen less than every two months.
10% Rating
A 10% rating is assigned when your migraine attacks are prostrating and happen frequently. At this disability level, the frequency is once every two months. Remember that these attacks with two months intervals must happen for several months to achieve a 10% rating.
30% Rating
Similar to a 10% rating, your migraines should be prostrating and frequent for the 30% rating. In this case, the migraines should occur once every month for several months.
50% Rating
A 50% rating is the highest disability rating you can achieve for migraines. It is given to veterans who face prolonged and prostrating migraine attacks that can affect their work life, leading to economic inadaptability.
VA Eligibility Tips and Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VA rating?
The VA disability rating is a system that allows the Department of Veterans Affairs to determine the compensation rate of a service-connected disability. This rating can range from 0% to 100%, but the migraine rating is a maximum of 50%.
Who is eligible for VA disability compensation for migraines?
This is where VA Disability Coach comes into play. We evaluate your records and areas of service to determine your eligibility.
How does the VA determine the rating for migraines?
The VA determines the rating for migraines based on the frequency, intensity, and impact of migraines in a veteran’s life.
How long does it take to receive a decision on a VA Migraine Claim?
118.3 days on average.
Can I receive retroactive VA disability compensation for migraines?
Yes, you can get retroactive compensation or back pay from the VA for migraines.
What happens if my migraines worsen after I receive VA disability compensation?
If you have received less than a 50% rating for migraines and your condition has worsened, you can apply for an increase in rating to get the maximum benefit.
Conclusion
In order to get the most benefit from your claim, make sure to provide accurate information in your application. While 10%-30% ratings are the most common, you can get a 50% rating if you can prove the severity of your migraine and how it affects your ability to work! To assure a fully compensable and documented claim you need our assistance. VA Disability Coach is ready to help.