The process of acquiring VA disability benefits for headaches is not only frustrating but complex as well, considering the fine line that exists in establishing its debilitating effects and link to service. Headaches rank amongst the leading disabilities reported by the veterans as service connected. Nonetheless, outlining the extent of these disabilities and their impact on day-to-day activities is crucial in order to win the war.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) distinguishes and evaluates migraines under Diagnostic Code 8100 with a maximum of 50%. It assigns disability levels with respect to how often, how painfully, and how crippling to the functioning of the veteran’s life these migraines are. Usually a higher rating is based on longer duration of symptoms and more frequent episodes that are disruptive to all spheres including work. However, in order for the veterans to be eligible for such benefits, they need to prove the causal relationship between military service and the migraines.
There are three possibilities to establish this connection; either to demonstrate that the condition was diagnosed while serving the time, that the condition was caused by an incident during service, or that the condition was developed as a consequence of aggravation of a service-related illness. For example, veterans may develop migraines, which often occurs as a secondary condition in veterans sustaining traumatic brain injuries.
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Welding this shallower plant be appreciated towards their claim especially if clear evidence is presented fitting the latter. Migraines are frequently characterized by intense, throbbing headaches that may be associated with nausea, light, sound and motion aversion, and visual disturbances. These symptoms may incapacitate almost all of a person’s activities and hence contribute very negatively to a veteran’s life. In other severe cases where migraines limit employment to a great extent, a veteran can also be awarded a Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) rating that pays benefits at 100% disability level.
For this reason, persistent reports by veterans of their condition serve as a necessary component for any successful impairment claim. This involves not only health records, but also a migraine diary that captures simple information over a period of time such as headaches experienced over a particular time, how many of the headaches were tolerable and their intensity . These kinds of records may plead well when a claim is made. Also, it is necessary to secure a medical nexus opinion. These are professional medical opinions linking the condition to military service or an event that occurred during it. More often than not they cite the names of incidents, injuries or situations that made it possible for the migraines to occur, thus supporting the credibility of the claim well.
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In consideration of the fact that applying for VA benefits is an intricate process, knowing how to make the case in a complete manner is very important. Appropriate handling of all documentation, provision of appropriate data, and connecting the occurrence of migraines to military service increase the likelihood of obtaining the correct disability level. This sometimes lengthy process may be overwhelming, however it can be done in the right way, hence it will be possible to take care of veterans and their associated disability without making any of them suffer.
