Migraine log for a VA claim
Easing Team
The people who make Easing
Short answer
The VA rates migraine under code 8100 (DC 8100) of its rating schedule (38 CFR 4.124a), by how often you have "characteristic prostrating attacks" and, at the top rating, whether they are prolonged and cause "severe economic inadaptability". So a log for a claim should record, for every attack: the date, how long it lasted, whether you had to stop and lie down, what you took, and what it cost you (work missed, plans cancelled). This page explains the wording; it isn't legal advice.
In this post
What the rating schedule says
The current text of DC 8100, Migraine, in 38 CFR 4.124a:
| Rating | Wording in the schedule |
|---|---|
| 50% | With very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability |
| 30% | With characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over last several months |
| 10% | With characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in 2 months over last several months |
| 0% | With less frequent attacks |
Three ideas carry the weight: prostrating (the attack stopped you), frequency averaged "over last several months", and for 50%, prolonged attacks with an economic impact. A log is how you show those over time.
What to record for every attack
- Date and start time. Write it the same day.
- How long it lasted. Start and end, or "still going next morning".
- Did it stop you? Say what you had to do in plain words: lay down in a dark room, left work, couldn't drive, couldn't look after the kids. That is what "prostrating" is about.
- Symptoms. Nausea, vomiting, light or sound sensitivity, aura.
- Medicine. What, how much, when, and whether it helped.
- What it cost. Hours or days of work missed, shifts swapped, appointments cancelled. Keep payslips or emails that back it up.
- Days with no attack. Mark them too, so the log shows it was kept every day.
How long to keep it
The schedule talks about averages "over last several months", so a log that runs for months says more than a few weeks of entries. Keep it going through the claim and any exam. Ask your representative how long they'd like before you file.
A format that works
Our printable headache diary has one row a day with start and end times, pain, symptoms and medicine; use the notes column for "had to lie down" and work missed. The migraine calendar gives a month at a glance for counting attacks. Whatever you use, keep it consistent and dated, and bring it to your doctor so it can go into your medical records.
Get help with the claim
This page only explains the wording of the schedule. The VA has its own process and forms, and accredited representatives (Veterans Service Organizations, accredited attorneys and claims agents) can help with a claim. Start at VA.gov disability benefits.
Where Easing fits
We make Easing, a headache diary for iPhone that's coming soon to the App Store. It times each attack, records medicine and notes, and makes a PDF. It isn't designed around VA ratings and doesn't tell you what rating you'd get. Until it's out, the printable diary is the simplest way to start today.
Questions people ask
What does the VA mean by prostrating migraine attacks?
The rating schedule (38 CFR 4.124a, code 8100) uses the phrase without a definition in the table. In a log, describe what the attack forced you to do, such as lying down or leaving work, and ask an accredited representative how it is applied.
What should a migraine log for a VA claim include?
For each attack: date, start and end time, whether you had to stop and lie down, symptoms, medicine and dose, and the work or activities you missed. Mark days without an attack too.
How often do migraines need to happen for a 30% VA rating?
The schedule says characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over the last several months. 10% is one in 2 months; 50% needs very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks with severe economic inadaptability.
Is this legal advice?
No. It quotes the rating schedule and suggests what to write down. For your claim, talk to an accredited representative and start at VA.gov.
Sources: 38 CFR 4.124a, Schedule of ratings: neurological conditions and convulsive disorders, DC 8100 (text as of 1 October 2026); VA.gov: disability benefits. checked 29 October 2026.
