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There’s a shooting pain running from the base of your neck up to the back of your head and scalp. The nerves are tender. Even touching the back of your head causes what feels like an electric shock of pain. You have to lie down in a dark room until it subsides.
This isn’t a typical headache; it might be occipital neuralgia.
If you have a current diagnosis of occipital neuralgia and can prove service connection, you’re entitled to a VA rating and benefits.
In this post, we’ll break down how occipital neuralgia is rated for VA disability, the signs and symptoms, and how to file and strengthen your VA claim for occipital neuralgia.
Summary of Key Points
- Occipital neuralgia is caused by damage or irritation to the occipital nerves, which run on either side of your head from the top of the spine to the scalp.
- The occipital neuralgia VA disability compensation is analogous to the VA rating for migraines and can be rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, or 50%.
- Keeping a record of your occipital neuralgia attacks, including length, severity, and frequency, can strengthen your VA disability claim.
Table of Contents
What is Occipital Neuralgia?
Occipital neuralgia is the underlying condition that causes occipital headaches. The condition is caused by damage or irritation to the occipital nerves, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
There are two greater occipital nerves, one on each side of the back of your head, running from the top of the neck up to the scalp. If one or both nerves are damaged by pinched nerves, tight muscles, or injury to the head or neck, you can develop occipital neuralgia.
It wouldn’t be surprising for veterans who have spent years humping heavy ruck sacks, jumping out of perfectly good aircraft, and sleeping in less than comfortable confines to experience damage or irritation to the occipital nerves.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of occipital neuralgia is occipital headaches. These headaches cause pain or throbbing behind one eye or at the back of the head. The pain can feel like:
- A constant aching or throbbing
- A burning sensation
- An electric shock or jolting pain
- A sudden, sharp, piercing pain
Does Occipital Neuralgia Qualify for VA Disability?
Yes. Occipital neuralgia may qualify for VA disability benefits based on the following:
- The frequency and severity of symptoms and their impact on your daily functioning
- If the condition is connected to your military service
Related: 6 Tips to Increase Your VA Rating for Migraines
Occipital Neuralgia VA Ratings
The VA doesn’t have a standalone rating for occipital neuralgia; instead, it is rated under the analogous condition of migraines (DC 8100), with VA ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%, or 50%.
Prostrating, meaning “causing extreme exhaustion, powerlessness, debilitation or incapacitation with substantial inability to engage in ordinary activities,” is an important word in this rating because it demonstrates the severity of symptoms and the impact on your ability to function, which directly affects your rating.
Occipital Neuralgia VA Rating Table
| DC 8100 | VA Rating |
| With very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability | 50% |
| With characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over last several months | 30% |
| With characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in 2 months over last several months | 10% |
| With less frequent attacks | 0% |
Proving Service Connection
To qualify for a VA disability rating for occipital neuralgia, you must be able to connect your condition to your service. There are two main ways to do that:
Direct Service Connection: You can prove a current diagnosis of your condition, an in-service illness or event, and a medical nexus linking your current diagnosis to your military service.
Secondary Service Connection: A condition caused or worsened by a primary service-connected condition.
(Video) How to File a VA Claim Online Step-by-Step!
C&P Exam for Occipital Neuralgia
During the claims process, you may be asked to take a compensation and pension (C&P) exam for occipital neuralgia. This exam evaluates your current diagnosis, service connection, and the frequency and severity of your episodes.
Be open and honest about how your occipital neuralgia impacts your life, work, and well-being. It’s best to keep a record of your attacks, including the length, severity, and frequency, to strengthen your claim.
Conclusion
Headaches that interfere with your ability to work or perform daily activities aren’t just par for the course. If you have a current diagnosis of occipital neuralgia, you could be eligible for a VA rating (from 0%-50%) and benefits following the VA’s rating criteria for migraines. Keeping a record of your occipital neuralgia attacks, including length, severity, and frequency, can strengthen your VA disability claim.
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FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VA rating for occipital neuralgia?
The VA doesn’t have a standalone rating for occipital neuralgia; instead rating it under the analogous condition of migraines (DC 8100). VA ratings range from 0% to 50% depending on the length, severity, and frequency of symptoms and the impact they have on your daily functioning.
Can I qualify for a VA disability rating for occipital neuralgia?
Yes. You can qualify for a VA disability rating for occipital neuralgia with a current diagnosis of the condition, by meeting the VA’s criteria for the analogous condition of migraines (DC 8100), and by proving that the condition is connected to your military service.
Is occipital neuralgia permanent?
No. Occipital neuralgia is not considered a “permanent” condition, though it can be chronic, with symptoms that may recur. Medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes can impact how often they recur.
Author – Katie McCarthy
Katie McCarthy is a writer and editor with experience in daily news and digital and print magazine publishing. She honed her editorial (and firearms) skills at Guns & Ammo before helping launch Black Rifle Coffee Company’s Coffee or Die Magazine as the managing editor. She holds degrees in English (BA) and public administration (MPA). Katie is a military spouse and word nerd who enjoys reading, hiking, camping, gardening, and spending time with her family.
