{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/migraine","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:30:02.348Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Migraine","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":38924,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":30.7,"denied_pct":24.9,"remanded_pct":43,"granted_on_merits_pct":55.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":1941,"granted_pct":20.5,"denied_pct":28.6,"remanded_pct":42.1},{"year":2018,"issues":3539,"granted_pct":24.6,"denied_pct":27,"remanded_pct":43.3},{"year":2019,"issues":4419,"granted_pct":26.1,"denied_pct":25.5,"remanded_pct":45.6},{"year":2020,"issues":3998,"granted_pct":27.2,"denied_pct":27.9,"remanded_pct":42.6},{"year":2021,"issues":3818,"granted_pct":28.7,"denied_pct":25.7,"remanded_pct":43},{"year":2022,"issues":3693,"granted_pct":29.4,"denied_pct":21.4,"remanded_pct":46.5},{"year":2023,"issues":4461,"granted_pct":30.4,"denied_pct":21.2,"remanded_pct":45.8},{"year":2024,"issues":5387,"granted_pct":33.9,"denied_pct":22.9,"remanded_pct":41},{"year":2025,"issues":6403,"granted_pct":35.5,"denied_pct":25.6,"remanded_pct":36.9},{"year":2026,"issues":2363,"granted_pct":38.8,"denied_pct":22.7,"remanded_pct":35.6}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":72.9,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":6223,"granted_pct_with":73.3,"granted_pct_without":49.7},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":29980,"granted_pct_with":54.3,"granted_pct_without":60.3},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":6955,"granted_pct_with":79.8,"granted_pct_without":47.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":18461,"granted_pct_with":53.1,"granted_pct_without":57.1},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":11869,"granted_pct_with":65.6,"granted_pct_without":49.5},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":1973,"granted_pct_with":71,"granted_pct_without":54.2},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":32456,"granted_pct_with":55.3,"granted_pct_without":54.4},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":1361,"granted_pct_with":67.8,"granted_pct_without":54.7},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":2189,"granted_pct_with":62.4,"granted_pct_without":54.8}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":917},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":419},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":338},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":203},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":183},{"reason":"migraines rated under dc 8100","decisions":161}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":754},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":705},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":529},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":521},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":499},{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":470}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040500","year":2026,"judge":"GAYLE STROMMEN","rationale":"Persian Gulf Veteran status verified by DoD data.; Migraines diagnosed in Oct 2020 VA exam.; Migraines considered qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317."},{"case_id":"A26040617","year":2026,"judge":"MICHAEL A. PAPPAS","rationale":"Reduction improper due to inadequate VA examinations; Examinations did not reconcile findings with Veteran's reports of frequent incapacitating headaches and missed work; Veteran's testimony and submitted evidence (employer letter, headache log) supported continued 50% rating"},{"case_id":"A26040619","year":2026,"judge":"COLLEEN M. GLASER-ALLEN","rationale":"Veteran's testimony and lay statements support frequent, prostrating attacks.; Attacks are prolonged and capable of producing severe economic inadaptability.; December 2020 VA exam was inadequate for downplaying frequency and economic impact."}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040479","year":2026,"judge":"MICHELLE L. KANE","rationale":"Denied as secondary to denied bruxism; No current bruxism established"},{"case_id":"A26040532","year":2026,"judge":"MICHELLE L. KANE","rationale":"Headaches not prostrating or prolonged.; Did not cause severe economic inadaptability.; Did not impact occupational tasks."},{"case_id":"A26040752","year":2026,"judge":"E. I. VELEZ","rationale":"Veteran already at maximum rating for migraines (50%); Evidence did not support higher rating"}]},"how_va_rates":{"citation":"38 CFR 4.124a","diagnostic_code":"8100","name":"Migraine","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a","levels":[{"criteria":"With very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability","rating":50},{"criteria":"With characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over last several months","rating":30},{"criteria":"With characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in 2 months over last several months","rating":10},{"criteria":"With less frequent attacks","rating":0}],"notes":[]},"rules":[{"citation":"38 CFR 4.124a","title":"Schedule of ratings: neurological conditions","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.124a"},{"citation":"M21-1 V.iii.12.A.3","title":"Migraine: rating criteria, lay evidence of prostration, headache journals","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000180519/M21-1-Part-V-Subpart-iii-Chapter-12-Section-A-Neurological-Conditions-and-Convulsive-Disorders"},{"citation":"M21-1 IV.i.3.B.1.b","title":"Reviewing a headache examination report","url":"https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000180516/M21-1-Part-IV-Subpart-i-Chapter-3-Section-B-Examination-Sufficiency-for-Specific-Disabilities"}]}}