Headache Evaluation & Nexus Letter
Get an independent medical evaluation and expert nexus letter connecting your chronic headaches to your military service or service-connected conditions.
Headaches & VA Disability Claims
Chronic migraines and headaches are prevalent among veterans, frequently developing as a secondary condition to traumatic brain injury (TBI), PTSD, cervical spine injuries, and certain medications prescribed for service-connected conditions. The connection between TBI and chronic post-traumatic headaches is well-established in medical literature, with many veterans experiencing debilitating migraines years after the initial head trauma.
PTSD-related migraines often result from the chronic stress response, hyperarousal, and sleep disturbances that characterize post-traumatic stress. Additionally, medications commonly prescribed for service-connected conditions — including those for hypertension and mental health — can trigger or exacerbate migraine patterns.
Proper documentation of migraine frequency, severity, duration, and prostrating episodes is essential for VA rating purposes. Our board-certified providers understand the specific criteria the VA uses to rate headache conditions and ensure your evaluation captures the full impact of your migraines on daily functioning and occupational capacity.
Commonly Secondary To
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Cervical Spine Conditions
- Hypertension Medications
- Anxiety and Depression
VA Rating Scale
Headache History & Functional Impact
Documented Headache Diagnosis and Pattern
Treatment records, prescription history for migraine medications (triptans, preventives like topiramate or propranolol), or documented complaints of recurrent severe headaches. Records distinguishing migraine, tension-type, cervicogenic, or post-traumatic headaches support more accurate rating and nexus.
TBI or Concussion History (if applicable)
For post-traumatic headaches, documentation of the in-service head injury — combat blast exposure, vehicle accidents, training injuries, or any documented loss of consciousness or concussion. Post-traumatic headaches are a recognized residual of TBI and one of the most common secondary claim pathways for veterans.
Records of Service-Connected Conditions That Can Cause or Worsen Headaches
Many service-connected conditions are recognized causes of secondary headaches and migraines. Documentation of any of the following supports a secondary claim: cervical spine pathology (cervicogenic headaches), sleep apnea (sleep-disordered breathing is a well-documented headache trigger), TMJ dysfunction, tinnitus, Meniere's disease, BPPV, trigeminal neuralgia, fibromyalgia, vasculitis, hypertension, PTSD or anxiety (stress-mediated migraines), or chronic medication use such as long-term NSAIDs prescribed for service-connected pain (medication-overuse headaches). Records of the underlying primary condition plus documentation of the temporal relationship to headache onset establish the secondary connection.
Frequency, Duration, and Functional Impact Documentation
VA ratings under DC 8100 depend almost entirely on whether headaches are 'prostrating' — meaning severe enough to require lying down in a dark room, often with light/sound sensitivity, nausea, or vomiting. Records, headache logs, or work-impact documentation showing how often prostrating attacks occur are essential. Frequency of 'very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability' supports the maximum 50% rating.
What's Included in Your Headaches Evaluation
Medical Evaluation
Comprehensive telehealth evaluation assessing headache frequency, duration, severity, prostrating episodes, and their connection to your service-connected conditions.
Expert Nexus Letter
A detailed medical opinion establishing the link between your chronic headaches and your military service or existing service-connected conditions.
Disability Benefits Questionnaire
A completed headache DBQ documenting characteristic prostrating attacks, their frequency, and the economic impact on your occupational functioning.
Three Simple Steps
Free Screening
Brief intake form so we can match you with the right provider.
Medical Evaluation
Telehealth visit with a board-certified provider licensed in your state.
Receive Documents
Evaluation report, Nexus letter, and DBQ delivered within 7 days.
Flat Fee Pricing
Veterans Keep 100% of Their Benefits — We Never Take a Percentage. One-time flat fee with no hidden costs.
Ask about pricing. We offer discounts and work with your budget.
Evaluation + DBQ
Medical records review and a completed Disability Benefits Questionnaire.
- Telehealth evaluation with licensed provider
- Medical records review
- Completed DBQ formatted for VA submission
Evaluation + DBQ + Nexus Letter
Medical records review, completed DBQ, plus a nexus letter connecting the condition to military service.
- Everything in the DBQ Service
- Expert nexus letter establishing service connection
- Detailed medical rationale using VA-standard language
Evaluation + Diagnostic Evaluation + DBQ + Nexus Letter
Medical records review, diagnostic evaluation for conditions not yet formally diagnosed, completed DBQ, and nexus letter.
*For veterans who do not yet have a formal diagnosis for this condition
- Everything in the Nexus Letter Service
- Diagnostic evaluation for veterans without a formal diagnosis
- Findings documented in nexus letter and DBQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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Important:
AIDE is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Department of Veterans Affairs. We are an independent, veteran-owned medical evaluation service. Free claims assistance is available through accredited Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs). Our evaluations do not guarantee a specific VA rating or claim outcome. See our full Disclosures for more information.