{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/migraines","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:29:30.388Z","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":"Migraines","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":550,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":12,"denied_pct":11.1,"remanded_pct":71.5,"granted_on_merits_pct":52,"by_year":[{"year":2018,"issues":50,"granted_pct":20,"denied_pct":4,"remanded_pct":68},{"year":2019,"issues":51,"granted_pct":7.8,"denied_pct":9.8,"remanded_pct":76.5},{"year":2020,"issues":36,"granted_pct":22.2,"denied_pct":13.9,"remanded_pct":63.9},{"year":2021,"issues":42,"granted_pct":4.8,"denied_pct":11.9,"remanded_pct":73.8},{"year":2022,"issues":39,"granted_pct":10.3,"denied_pct":0,"remanded_pct":82.1},{"year":2023,"issues":57,"granted_pct":0,"denied_pct":14,"remanded_pct":75.4},{"year":2024,"issues":90,"granted_pct":15.6,"denied_pct":15.6,"remanded_pct":61.1},{"year":2025,"issues":121,"granted_pct":15.7,"denied_pct":11.6,"remanded_pct":71.1},{"year":2026,"issues":53,"granted_pct":7.5,"denied_pct":11.3,"remanded_pct":79.2}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":71.2,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":100,"granted_pct_with":51.9,"granted_pct_without":52},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":465,"granted_pct_with":52.3,"granted_pct_without":50},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":126,"granted_pct_with":50,"granted_pct_without":52.5},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":271,"granted_pct_with":42.9,"granted_pct_without":57.7},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":186,"granted_pct_with":52,"granted_pct_without":51.9},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":488,"granted_pct_with":52.1,"granted_pct_without":50},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":40,"granted_pct_with":50,"granted_pct_without":52.1}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"migraines rated under dc 8100","decisions":5},{"reason":"criteria for 50% rating met: very frequent, completely prostrating, prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability","decisions":2},{"reason":"30 percent criteria met for characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month","decisions":1},{"reason":"50% rating requires very frequent, completely prostrating, prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability","decisions":1},{"reason":"ameliorative effects of medication not considered per jones v. shinseki","decisions":1},{"reason":"attacks are completely prostrating as they require the veteran to lie down","decisions":1}],"denied":[{"reason":"already at the maximum schedular rating","decisions":2},{"reason":"august 2020 va exam described constant pain, light sensitivity, irritability, inability to focus, but not completely prostrating or prolonged attacks","decisions":1},{"reason":"benefit of the doubt / evidence in equipoise","decisions":1},{"reason":"board accorded greater probative weight to the va examination due to its in-person nature and comprehensive findings","decisions":1},{"reason":"board found va examinations more persuasive and evidence did not support rating higher than 30 percent","decisions":1},{"reason":"condition does not result in severe economic inadaptability","decisions":1}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26037421","year":2026,"judge":"J. PARKER","rationale":"Veteran reported prostrating attacks occurring up to four times per week.; Migraine attacks met criteria for 30% rating under DC 8100.; Reasonable doubt resolved in veteran's favor."},{"case_id":"A26015006","year":2026,"judge":"M. C. GRAHAM","rationale":"Evidence of record demonstrates very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks.; Attacks were productive of severe economic inadaptability.; Benefit of the doubt resolved in Veteran's favor."},{"case_id":"A26010778","year":2026,"judge":"D. SMART","rationale":"Migraines rated under DC 8100; Criteria for 50% rating met: very frequent, completely prostrating, prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability; Lay evidence found credible and afforded significant probative value"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26028806","year":2026,"judge":"D. JOHNSON","rationale":"Migraines rated under DC 8100.; Attacks did not meet criteria for 10% rating (less frequent attacks).; Memory complaints already compensated under separate service-connected disorder (other specified trauma and stressor related disorder)."},{"case_id":"A26020919","year":2026,"judge":"B.T. KNOPE","rationale":"Service treatment records show no headache complaints or diagnosis.; VA records show infrequent headaches, negative reviews of systems.; August 2020 VA exam described constant pain, light sensitivity, irritability, inability to focus, but not completely prostrating or prolonged attacks.; Lay evidenc… [truncated, 111 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A25110750","year":2025,"judge":"T. V. CASEY","rationale":"Evidence persuasively weighs against awarding rating higher than 30 percent.; Inconsistent statements regarding frequency and severity of headaches.; Lack of evidence for severe economic inadaptability."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}