Migraine Headaches (DC 8100)

Migraines are rated on the frequency of "completely prostrating" attacks, not just headache frequency in general, along with their impact on your ability to work.

Common Filing Mistake

"Severe economic inadaptability" (the 50% criterion) means substantial work impairment, it does NOT require that you be totally unable to work or unemployed. Many veterans undersell their claim believing they need to prove they can't work at all. A headache diary or personal statement documenting frequency, duration, and missed work or reduced performance carries real weight here, since lay evidence is explicitly considered.

Diagnostic Codes

DC 8100Migraine

Rating Criteria

Rating	Criteria
50%	Very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability
30%	Characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over the last several months
10%	Characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months
0%	Less frequent attacks than the 10% criteria

Special Rules

A "completely prostrating" attack generally means extreme exhaustion or powerlessness with essentially total inability to engage in ordinary activities for at least three hours, not just a bad headache.
This is the highest schedular rating available for migraines (50% is the ceiling), if migraines alone are preventing you from working, TDIU (see the Knowledge Base) may be worth exploring separately.
The tiers are successive, meeting a higher tier's criteria generally means the lower tiers' criteria are met too.

Sourced from 38 CFR §§ 4.71a / 4.130. This is a reference aid, not a rating decision, your actual rating depends on the medical evidence in your specific case and your C&P exam findings. Rules can be amended, verify current text at eCFR.gov or with an accredited VSO before relying on this for a specific claim.