If you’re a veteran with service-connected Tinnitus and suffer from Migraine headaches, you may be eligible to get VA disability benefits for Migraines secondary to Tinnitus.
There’s strong medical research supporting the link between these two conditions.
However, many veterans still face claim denials, even when submitting a strong case with a Nexus Letter.
In this expert-level blog post, Brian Reese the VA Claim Insider reveals a new strategy to help you establish secondary service connection and maximize your VA disability benefits.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- Veterans with service-connected Tinnitus who also experience Migraines may be eligible for additional VA disability benefits by establishing a secondary service connection between the two conditions. Extensive medical research highlights a significant link between Tinnitus and Migraines, pointing to shared neurological pathways that suggest one condition can trigger or aggravate the other.
- To successfully connect Migraines as secondary to Tinnitus, veterans need to meet three essential criteria: a current medical diagnosis of Migraines, an existing VA disability rating for Tinnitus, and strong medical evidence (such as a Nexus Letter) establishing the connection.
- A new approach strengthens claims by linking Migraines not only to Tinnitus but also to a service-connected mental health condition like PTSD, Anxiety, or Depression: Leveraging comprehensive private medical evidence—including Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) and Independent Medical Opinions (IMOs)—can significantly improve the chances of securing a higher VA disability rating.
- The VA rates Migraines secondary to Tinnitus under 38 CFR § 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8100, from 0% to 50%, with breaks at 10% and 30%. The rating criteria considers the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks, whether they are prostrating, as well as their negative impact on your work, life, and social functioning.
What Are Migraines?
Migraines are a type of headache disorder characterized by intense, throbbing pain often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Migraines can significantly affect daily life, leading to missed work, social withdrawal, and limitations in daily functioning.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a common condition experienced by veterans, characterized by a persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ears.
It is often caused by exposure to loud noises, such as gunfire or explosions, during military service.
Tinnitus is the #1 most claimed VA disability, affecting over 2 million veterans.
Migraines Secondary to Tinnitus: Is There a Connection?
Yes, there is a well-established connection between Migraines and Tinnitus, backed by strong medical research.
Research suggests that individuals with Tinnitus are more likely to experience Migraines due to shared neurological pathways.
Tinnitus can trigger or exacerbate Migraine headaches through mechanisms such as chronic stress, altered sensory processing, or even as a side effect of medication used to treat Tinnitus.
Studies published by the National Library of Medicine indicate a significant association between the co-occurrence of Tinnitus and headache disorders, arguing against a purely coincidental link.
Study #1: “Association Between Tinnitus and Migraines: A Population-Based Study”
- Findings: This study found a significant association between the prevalence of Tinnitus and Migraine in the general population. Individuals who reported Tinnitus had a higher likelihood of also experiencing Migraine headaches compared to those without Tinnitus. The researchers suggest that shared pathophysiological mechanisms, such as altered sensory processing and central nervous system hyperactivity, may contribute to the co-occurrence of these conditions.
- Conclusion: The results argue against a coincidental link, suggesting a strong connection between Tinnitus and Migraine. The shared neurological pathways indicate that individuals with Tinnitus may be at a higher risk of developing Migraines.
Study #2: “Tinnitus and Its Relationship with Anxiety and Migraine Headaches”
- Findings: This research explored the relationship between Tinnitus, anxiety, and Migraine. It found that individuals with Tinnitus had a significantly higher prevalence of anxiety and Migraine disorders compared to the general population. The study suggests that the chronic stress caused by Tinnitus may exacerbate anxiety and lead to Migraine episodes.
- Conclusion: The study concluded that Tinnitus is not only linked to anxiety but also has a strong association with Migraine headaches. The findings support the need for a comprehensive approach in managing Tinnitus, considering its impact on mental health and headache disorders.
Study #3: “Migraine and Tinnitus: Comorbidity and Underlying Mechanisms”
- Findings: This study investigated the comorbidity between Migraine and Tinnitus, analyzing potential shared mechanisms. It found that individuals with Migraine had a higher prevalence of Tinnitus, suggesting a bidirectional relationship. The study explored the role of central sensitization and neuroinflammation as common factors contributing to both conditions.
- Conclusion: The findings indicate that the co-occurrence of Tinnitus and Migraine is likely due to shared neurological mechanisms rather than chance. The study suggests that addressing these shared pathways could improve treatment outcomes for both conditions.
How to Prove Secondary Service Connection
To establish secondary service connection for VA Migraines secondary to Tinnitus, you must meet three key elements:
- Medical Diagnosis of Migraines: You need a formal diagnosis of Migraines in your medical records, whether from VA healthcare providers or private physicians. It’s helpful to have a current diagnosis within the past 12 months. s
- Existing Service-Connected Tinnitus: Tinnitus must already be recognized by the VA as a service-connected disability rated at 10%. There’s only one VA rating for Tinnitus: 10% or nothing at all.
- Medical Nexus Evidence Between the Two Conditions: You need a strong Nexus Letter for a secondary condition, which is an independent medical opinion stating that your Migraines are “at least as likely as not” caused or aggravated by your service-connected Tinnitus. A strong Nexus Letter is often the linchpin to getting your secondary VA claim approved.
New Strategy to Service-Connect Migraines Secondary to Tinnitus
In recent month, there has been an increase in denials for claims involving Migraines secondary to Tinnitus, even with a strong Nexus Letter.
The new strategy involves taking some additional steps with private medical evidence to strengthen your claim: linking Migraines to a secondary mental health condition such as PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, or Adjustment Disorder as well as Tinnitus.
Here’s how it works:
- Make sure you have a mental health condition service-connected at 0% higher.
- Make sure you have Tinnitus service-connected at 10%.
- Make sure you have Migraines diagnosed in a medical record.
- File a VA claim for Migraines secondary to Tinnitus and Mental Health.
- Get private medical evidence to strengthen your case (see below).
PRO TIPS: The Importance of Private Medical Evidence for Your VA Claim
Remember this: medical evidence wins VA disability claims!
Private medical evidence from experts is especially important for helping you prove secondary service connection.
Here are a few tips to help strengthen your secondary claim linking Migraines to Tinnitus and Mental Health:
#1. Get an Independent Psychological Evaluation (IPE) & Independent Medical Opinion (IMO)
Have a private mental health professional evaluate your mental health condition(s). Ensure they document how these conditions contribute to the severity of your Migraines. You might also be eligible to file for an increase to your mental health condition at the same time.
#2. Obtain a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for Migraines
A DBQ for Headaches (Including Migraines) filled out by a private healthcare provider can provide detailed information on the current diagnosis, frequency, severity, and duration of your headaches as well as negative work and life impacts. This form should clearly document how the Migraines affect your daily life and ability to work. Submitting a DBQ with your claim potentially makes it “decision ready,” meaning you might not get a separate C&P exam.
#3. Get a Nexus Letter for a Secondary Condition
A well-written evidence-based Nexus Letter is crucial to establish secondary service connection. It should be written by a qualified medical professional who explains in detail why it is “at least as likely as not” that your Migraines are caused or aggravated by your Tinnitus and any related mental health conditions.
What is the VA Rating for Migraine Headaches Secondary to Tinnitus?
Migraines are rated under 38 CFR § 4.124a, Diagnostic Code 8100, which considers the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks, as well as their impact on a veteran’s ability to function in work, life, and social settings.
VA ratings for Migraines secondary to Tinnitus range from 0% to 50% with breaks at 10% and 30%:
- 0% Rating: Assigned when migraines occur but do not produce prostrating attacks, meaning they have minimal or no significant impact on daily activities and do not require rest.
- 10% Rating: Given for migraines with characteristic prostrating attacks that occur on average once every two months over the last several months. These attacks may interfere with activities but are not frequent enough to cause significant functional impairment.
- 30% Rating: Applies when migraines involve characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over the last several months. These attacks require rest and significantly disrupt daily functioning, making it challenging to engage in work or social activities during the episodes.
- 50% Rating: The highest rating, reserved for migraines with very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks that are productive of severe economic inadaptability. This rating reflects a serious level of impairment, where migraines significantly affect the veteran’s ability to work or perform daily tasks consistently. Veterans can still qualify for a 50% rating even if they are employed, as the rating is based on the extent of the impairment caused by the migraine attacks, not the employment status itself.
Conclusion & Wrap-Up
Service-connecting Migraines secondary to Tinnitus requires more than just a Nexus Letter.
The new strategy of linking a mental health condition to both Tinnitus and Migraines creates a stronger case for secondary service connection.
Make sure to provide comprehensive medical evidence, including DBQs and credible Nexus Letters, to improve your chances of securing the VA disability rating you deserve.
If you need help navigating this process, VA Claims Insider is here to guide you every step of the way.
We help veterans get the VA rating and compensation they deserve faster!
Connect with our team today and take the first step toward increasing your VA rating and adding secondary conditions to your VA claim.
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About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
