Tips for a VA C&P Exam for Migraines

Migraines are a serious issue for military personnel and veterans, and studies suggest that they are especially common among those who have been deployed in Iraq. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes that migraines may be a service-connected disability. If you can prove that an event or incident during your military service caused or aggravated your headaches, you may be eligible for VA disability compensation.
If you submit a claim to receive benefits for migraines, a VA ratings specialist will rate your headaches based on their severity and frequency using a ratings chart with four possible percentages: zero, 10, 30, and 50 percent. A 50 percent rating is the highest rating given for migraines. This rating is only given if the migraine causes “very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks.” In general, the term “prostrating” means that you experience extreme weakness, exhaustion or powerlessness due to your migraines and must lie down for a long period of time.
To qualify for VA disability payments you must first submit to a Compensation and Pension exam-an appointment that allows a VA doctor to evaluate your physical or psychological condition and determine the level of impairment caused by your disability. Their report is used by the VA to help approve or deny a disability. It is important to keep in mind that the VA almost always gives more weight to the evaluation of a C and P examiner than your own doctor, so you should take the C and P exam very seriously.
Our first, and most important, recommendation is that you must show up. If you miss your initial C&P exam, it is likely that the VA will deny your claim. If you’re not able to be there for the exam at the scheduled time be sure to inform the VA as soon as possible and reschedule it-failure to reschedule will also likely result in a claim denial.
At the C&P exam don’t downplay your symptoms. A good rule of thumb is to describe the symptoms of your most severe migraine attacks. But don’t exaggerate your symptoms either-that can cause its own set of problems.
Because you know your situation better than anyone, write a statement describing your migraines-how often they occur, what your specific symptoms are, and what limitations they cause. Also statements from family members, friends, and co-workers about what they witness when you are having a migraine attack can also be helpful.
To get the proper VA disability rating for any impairment medical documentation is crucial. Tell your personal doctor in detail about your migraine headaches. That way, even if the C&P examiner does not accurately represent the severity of your headaches, the medical record will support your claim.
While the highest schedular rating for migraines is 50 percent, if your headaches make it impossible for you to work and you have other service connected disabilities, you may be eligible for a 100 percent rating under the Total Disability Individual Unemployablity program-known as TDIU. You can find several informative videos about TDIU on the Cuddigan Law website or on our You Tube channel.
For free evaluation of your VA disability claim, give us a call or shoot us an email. At Cuddigan Law you have a team of professionals in your corner who know the system and will fight for your rights.

[@fn6553]

Show up to C&P. Okay. Last time they didn't even tell me about appt. Just got a denial for not going. Another great VA trick

[@LTZ_Z71]

Was recently denied service connection for my migraine claim despite clearly detailing in a headache log the frequency and severity post deployment to a combat zone and having to convoy through burn pits daily for 6 months. The C&P was conducted over the phone, the doctor asked all the right questions and I gave honest and in depth responses including how they affect my daily life and the frequency and duration I have to lie down to help the pain and still nothing. Denied "no service connection". The VA is laughable.

[@normancoley626]

50% for migraines now

[@love_zee]

What was the appointment like? I have one soon.

[@normancoley626]

@@love_zee The examiner just ask me questions about how it is affecting me with my every day life.Just be honest!I heard something about 2 weeks later(decision).

[@Jlist83]

@@normancoley626 thanks for the update. I have my exam tomorrow for it.

[@zackiinu7194]

@@Jlist83 How did it go? I have my C&P next week. I have a prescription for Sumatriptan, but they don’t always help. Putting my life on hold for a few hours by prostrating is the only thing I can do to get through the migraines.

[@Clayton_White]

@@zackiinu7194how did your exam go?

[@culvercitycharlie]

I got denied for migraines 2nd to tinnitus, although got 30% for insomnia, I'm doing a supplemental review for migraines next. Had the evidence..logs, Nexus, Dr. notes, both VA and NON VA, letters, etc...

[@johnnyc5587]

I had a C&P exam for Migraines via telephone. The Exam starts I and can't understand the doctor. She spoke broken English and I kept asking her to say things again. Then I asked if she was calling from another country and she said no and was pissed after that. . Anyway , I told her what Meds I took and she wrote down that I don't take Meds. So many things she wrote down just weren't true. Anyway, of course ___ I was denied and now I'm appealing. How do I go about appealing the decision ? Since the denial I have gotten more evidence , another Nexus letter and diagnosis from Neurologist and Brain Cat scan and MRI. I think I'm in a good spot to win an appeal, but you never know.

[@esunrise9004]

I had my C&P done by a person that went through medical school in SPAIN. How is this even allowed?!

[@PrisonJunky]

@@esunrise9004VA likes to 3rd party the C&P examiners