Common Causes of Migraines in the Military 

Individuals who have served in the US military are more likely than the general population to develop migraines. Military service, in addition to other health conditions that developed because of it, can impact the frequency, severity, and treatment options for migraines. It is important to ensure that you present adequate evidence with your initial application for a migraine VA rating for approval, in addition to how it connects to your service. Veterans suffering from migraines have options when it comes to treatment and compensation. 

What are Migraines? 

According to the Mayo Clinic, a migraine is a headache that can lead to severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, generally on one side of the head. Migraines are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, as well as extreme sensitivity to both sound and light. Migraine attacks can happen spontaneously, and can last for varying durations, from hours to even days. 

Migraine attacks can be so severe that they interfere with your daily life. This includes not only your ability to engage in your favorite personal activities, but also to work. The purpose of VA disability benefits and your migraine VA rating is to provide you with compensation to cover the loss of earning capacity associated with your condition. 

Some Migraine Sufferers Have a Warning Sign Known as an Aura

Some individuals who suffer from migraines experience a warning symptom prior to the attack known as an aura. An aura happens before or with the headache, and may include:

• Tingling on one side of the face or in one arm or leg
• Visual disturbances including flashes of light or blind spots 
• Difficulty speaking

When an individual who suffers from migraines is able to identify the warning signs, they may be able to address the developing migraine with medication. 

Treating Migraines Can Help, but is Not Perfect

Some migraines can be prevented through the timely use of medication. Other types of medications can be used to make migraines less painful, while lifestyle changes may also be of value. Despite effective treatments however, migraines can interfere with your ability to work, leading to qualifying for benefits. 

Common Causes of Migraines in Military Service

While migraines are a condition that individuals from a broad variety of walks of life can develop migraines, veterans are at greater risk. Many of the activities that persons who have engaged in qualifying active service must do can expose them to risks of migraines. Whatever the cause of migraines, if it is connected to your active service you could be entitled to VA disability benefits, depending upon the migraine VA rating that you are assigned. 

Trauma

A broad number of traumatic experiences that a veteran may go through can cause migraines, including the following:

• Neck trauma from falls, explosions, or motor vehicle accidents
• Traumatic brain injuries, often referred to as TBIs, which are caused by a bump, blow, or penetrating wound to the head
• Other accidents
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals
• Exposure to burn pits

If your qualifying active military service or a primary condition from it caused your migraines, you’ll be entitled to compensation. The migraine VA rating you are assigned measures the impact of your migraines on your day-to-day life, and in particular their impact on your ability to work. 

Stress 

Military service is not something that is known for being easy. Due to the various circumstances that may be encountered in the military, veterans are known for having encountered a great deal of stress and emotional strain due to various military experiences, job changes, or family situations resulting from their military service. Stress can lead to the development of migraines, or other mental health conditions that lead to their emergence. 

The Development of Other Related Mental Health Conditions 

The demands and experiences of service lead to veterans experiencing a greater rate of other mental health conditions such as depression, which have been found to be linked to migraines. Other pain and sleep disorders are also more common amongst veterans. To collect for sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, generally you’ll need to undergo a sleep study to prove your symptoms. 

If your primary condition is depression and you already have a VA disability rating for it, you can file a new claim to add your associated migraines. Military service can lead to a broad variety of health problems, and migraines as a secondary condition is covered. This means that your migraines are due to another service-related disability.

Additional Factors

A broad variety of factors impact the development of migraines in veterans. These include: 

• Exposure to toxins
• The overuse of painkillers prescribed for service-related and VA-rated conditions
• Sleep deprivation 
• Withdrawal from the use of drugs or alcohol
• Overwork
• Irregular consumption of food

Upon receiving a diagnosis of migraines, you are able to receive professional medical help to determine the causes and triggers of your migraines, and the most effective treatment method to address them. 

Migraines Lead to Cognitive Impairment 

Persons who suffer from migraines can experience cognitive symptoms, including an impact on their thinking, reasoning, and ability to remember things. Persons suffering from migraines may suffer from what is commonly referred to as “brain fog”, which can happen not only during migraine attacks, but between them. When your cognitive functioning is impacted, your ability to engage in everyday activities ranging from relationships to work can be permanently impacted. 

Migraines and Work 

As noted by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employees who experience migraines could be eligible for accommodations. When you are a veteran with qualifying military service and your migraines lead to an impact on your work, you are entitled to VA disability benefits, in line with your migraine VA rating. 

Get Help – Learn About Your Options Regarding a Migraine VA Rating

If you have a VA-rated primary condition, and you have migraines linked to it, or your VA disability application for migraines has been rejected, a VA disability lawyer can help. Contact us today to get started with the process, get answers to your questions, and learn about the next steps.