Migraines DC 8100
Listed in the rating schedule as “Migraine”. VA rates it under diagnostic code 8100 in 38 CFR 4.124a. Body system: Head & nerves.
Also searched as: migraine, headaches, headache, tension headaches, chronic headaches.
How VA rates it
The schedule allows 4 rating levels for this code: 0%, 10%, 30%, and 50%. VA picks the level whose criteria best match your symptoms and records.
Rated on how often prostrating attacks happen.
Source: 38 CFR 4.124a on eCFR. Read the full criteria there before you file.
Rating levels and criteria
| Rating | What the schedule says |
|---|---|
| 50% | With very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability |
| 30% | With characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over last several months |
| 10% | With characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in 2 months over last several months |
| 0% | With less frequent attacks |
Criteria text from 38 CFR 4.124a, eCFR as of November 10, 2026. The eCFR is the official source if anything here differs.
Conditions it can lead to
If this condition is service connected, these conditions are often claimed as secondary to it (38 CFR 3.310). Each one still needs its own diagnosis.
Major depressive disorder DC 9434 Possible link
Migraines and depression often go together, and each raises the risk of the other.
What to gather: A mental health diagnosis and a medical opinion that your migraines caused it or made it worse.
Sources: 38 CFR 3.310 (secondary service connection); Migraine and depression: bidirectional co-morbidities? (Neurol Sci, 2012)
Commonly claimed as secondary to
If one of these is already service connected, you may be able to claim this condition as secondary to it.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) DC 8045 Established link Rated separately
VA's TBI rating rule says headaches with their own diagnosis, such as migraine, are rated separately from the TBI.
What to gather: A migraine diagnosis and a log of prostrating attacks. Ask the TBI examiner to note it as a separate residual.
Sources: 38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8045 (rate TBI residuals with their own diagnosis separately)
Major depressive disorder DC 9434 Possible link
Depression and migraine are linked in both directions, so each raises the risk of the other.
What to gather: A migraine diagnosis, a log of prostrating attacks, and a medical opinion linking it to your depression.
Sources: 38 CFR 3.310 (secondary service connection); Migraine and depression: bidirectional co-morbidities? (Neurol Sci, 2012)
PTSD DC 9411 Possible link
Studies find PTSD and migraine often occur together, and PTSD is linked with more frequent headaches.
What to gather: A migraine or headache diagnosis, a log of prostrating attacks, and a medical opinion linking it to your PTSD.
Sources: 38 CFR 3.310 (secondary service connection); The association between PTSD and migraine: a systematic review (Headache, 2026)
Related medications
Medications prescribed for it
A prescription shows the condition was diagnosed. It still needs its own link to service.
- CGRP migraine medicines (for example erenumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab, eptinezumab). FDA labels: Erenumab (DailyMed)
- Other migraine medicines (for example lasmiditan, dihydroergotamine, onabotulinumtoxina). FDA labels: Lasmiditan (DailyMed)
- Triptans (migraine) (for example sumatriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan, eletriptan). FDA labels: Sumatriptan (DailyMed)
- Propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran). FDA labels: Propranolol (DailyMed)
- Topiramate (Topamax, Trokendi). FDA labels: Topiramate (DailyMed)
- Valproate (divalproex, valproic acid) (Depakote). FDA labels: Valproate (divalproex, valproic acid) (DailyMed)
- Amitriptyline, often prescribed off label. Preventive migraine treatment (PubMed); FDA labels: Amitriptyline (DailyMed)
Check your claim
The claim finder asks about your service and current ratings, then lists conditions you may be able to claim. The calculator shows what a new rating does to your combined rating and monthly pay.
Open the claim finderOpen the VA rating calculator
Free help: an accredited VSO representative can file and track your claim at no cost. Find one near you by ZIP code.
Rating schedule data as of November 10, 2026. Secondary and presumptive links checked November 13, 2026.
Not affiliated with the VA. VA decides ratings. Free help from an accredited VSO is available at no cost.