How Migraines Impact Cognitive Function 

Persons who suffer from migraines experience painful headaches that are often accompanied by a variety of cognitive symptoms. Understanding the impact of migraines on your everyday life requires a careful consideration of their causes, symptoms, and treatments. If you are a veteran who served under qualifying conditions or is experiencing service-related migraines,the severity of your migraines determines the amount in benefits that you are entitled to. 

Studies have found that persons who suffer from migraine attacks can experience a negative impact on their cognitive function for days before and after the attack itself. The fact that migraine sufferers can experience these attacks regularly and without much advance warning highlights the substantial impact that migraine can have on the cognitive functioning of sufferers. 

Cognitive Migraine Symptoms Impact Thinking, Reasoning, or Remembering

Persons suffering from migraines can experience a broad range of cognitive symptoms, which collectively affect their thinking, reasoning, or remembering. Following a migraine, individuals report difficulty remembering things, and identifying the appropriate words to communicate their thoughts. Studies have shown that frequent migraines can lead to dementia and a drop in thinking skills later in life. 

The capacity to focus and pay attention are the foundation of all thinking activities, and for migraine sufferers this foundation of thinking can be negatively impacted. Persons experiencing the cognitive impacts of migraines may be unable to complete a word puzzle, or compose a reply to an email. This is due largely to an inability to focus, although the cognitive impact itself can vary. 

Brain Fog and Memory Loss Are Linked to Migraines

In order to perform at work, safely operate automobiles for personal transportation, and even to engage in personal relationships, it is essential that normal cognitive functioning is possible. Persons who suffer from migraines are known to encounter brain fog, in addition to memory loss. 

Brain fog is described as difficulty focusing, in addition to finding the right words when trying to speak. Persons suffering from brain fog report feeling forgetful, distracted, difficulty completing simple tasks, and a drop in alertness. Each of these symptoms decreases the cognitive functioning of the individual, and impacts the ability to perform at work, and engage in personal relationships. 

The effects of brain fog can last for days following the end of the pain associated with the migraine attack itself. Some individuals are incapable of thinking clearly or focusing on tasks following their attack. This is the “postdrome” phase of the migraine, sometimes referred to as the migraine hangover. Reducing brain fog can sometimes be achieved by recognizing when it is staring, and immediately beginning medication, or using a device to address the migraine. 

Migraine Headaches Range in Severity 

A migraine headache is a painful headache that can be accompanied by other health issues. Prior to the experience of a migraine, the sufferer can experience an aura, which can be a tingling in half of the head or a limb, that indicates that a migraine is pending. Such signs can help a veteran to know when to begin medication, although in other situations they just expand the prevalence and duration of the symptoms associated with the migraines. 

A Migraine Attack Has Four Phases 

While the severity of migraine attacks may vary, it is important to note that they generally have four phases: (1) Prodrome, (2) Aura, (3) Headache, (4) Postdrome. 

It is possible for brain fog to begin days before a migraine attack, and last days following the headache pain associated with a migraine attack. Many patients describe one of the first symptoms that they experience with their migraines to be brain fog before the migraine attack itself. The impact on the cognitive functioning of the sufferer varies, but will impact work performance and the ability to drive. 

The Frequency of Migraines Influence the Impact on Veterans’ Lives

Experiencing multiple migraines each week can substantially impair the ability of an individual to live a normal life and to maintain gainful employment. As the brain fog associated with a single migraine attack can last days, even a single migraine attack each week could limit the ability of the sufferer to work for the majority of the workweek. 

Migraine-Related Cognitive Impairment 

As explored above, the period prior to and following a migraine is characterized by a strong and largely negative impact on cognitive functioning. During the migraine attack itself, the sufferer experiences substantial pain that makes them unable to perform any functions. Pain medication can be taken to reduce the severity of the pain. However, these pain medications likewise have side-effects that impact the capacity of the impacted individual to complete tasks, work, and enjoy their social lives. 

Migraine FAQs

There are a number of frequently asked questions concerning migraines, with these facts helping you to better understand the causes of migraines and the factors that impact your migraine VA rating. 

What are the causes of migraines? 

Migraines are caused by a broad range of events, injuries, or illnesses, although some of the most common causes among veteran include:

• Traumatic experiences that result in traumatic brain injury, TBI, or post-traumatic stress syndrome, PTSD
• Sleep apnea and other sleep-related conditions
• The use of pain medications 
• Other mental health conditions such as depression 

When your migraines were caused by an injury, illness, or event linked to your qualifying military service, the severity of your migraines determines the VA disability percentage rating you receive, and the amount in tax-free disability payments you may be entitled to. 

How are migraines treated? 

There are a variety of ways to treat migraines, including the use of medication, in addition to lifestyle changes to improve upon overall health, fitness, and function. While migraines can be managed, the medications that are needed can limit your ability to focus, function at work, and engage in personal relationships. 

Migraine VA Rating Help? We’re Here for You

At Gang & Associates, we focus on guiding veterans through the claims and appeals process for service-connected migraine and headache ratings. Whether your symptoms began shortly after leaving the military or surfaced years later, you may qualify for disability compensation. Our dedicated team of lawyers is here to ensure veterans receive the compensation they deserve. If your claim for service connection for migraines has been denied, reach out to our firm for assistance and to learn about your options.