Taking Charge of Headache™

Drug-Free Migraine Treatment Options Through the VA ft. Taisha Bates & Dr. Karen Williams

In this episode of Taking Charge of Headache™, hosts Melissa Farmer Hill and Diego Colon sit down with Dr. Karen Williams and Army veteran Taisha Bates to explore alternative and non-medication treatments for headache and migraine, with a focus on veteran care through the VA. Dr. Williams explains the science behind integrative and Whole Health approaches, including biofeedback, massage therapy, traditional acupuncture, and Battlefield Acupuncture, and how these treatments may support people living with migraine alongside traditional care. Taisha Bates shares her personal journey navigating migraine as a veteran, including how she discovered that acupuncture for migraine was covered through her VA benefits and how it became an important part of her management plan. This episode highlights drug-free migraine treatment options, self-advocacy within VA healthcare, and practical strategies veterans can discuss with their providers.

Navigating the VA ft. Jane Babcock

Filing a VA disability claim for migraine or headache can feel confusing and frustrating—but you don’t have to figure it out alone. In this episode of Taking Charge of Headache™, Army Veteran Melissa Farmer Hill and National Headache Foundation’s Diego Colón talk with Veterans Benefits Educator and Retired Sergeant First Class Jane Babcock about how veterans can successfully navigate the VA system to get the disability rating and care they deserve. Jane, a veteran living with migraine herself, breaks down the key steps and insider advice every veteran should know: ✅ How to file a VA claim for migraine and headache disorders ✅ Understanding presumptive and secondary conditions and what qualifies ✅ What evidence helps—nexus letters, buddy statements, and symptom logs ✅ Avoiding claim sharks and finding accredited Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) ✅ What to do if your VA migraine claim was denied or rated 0% ✅ How the appeal process works and when to request a review If you’re a veteran struggling to prove your service-connected migraine, or you’re not sure how to get your headache attacks recognized by the VA, this episode will walk you through every step of the process—with encouragement and clarity from people who’ve been there.