VA Disability Ratings — Eligible Conditions
Were you injured in the line of duty or had an injury or illness worsened by your military service?
You may be eligible for disability compensation.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) defines disability as an injury or illness—known as a condition—that affects your body’s ability to function as it usually would. As a veteran, you can receive compensation for various disabilities.
This article will list many common conditions eligible for VA disability compensation. However, this list is not exhaustive.
If you have been denied VA disability benefits because the VA said you did not qualify, contact Vetus Legal today for a free case review.
Conditions Eligible for VA Disability Benefits
Almost any disability or medical condition, physical or mental, can be service-connected and can be awarded disability compensation by the VA.
Below is a common list of disabilities and additional information about proving that disability is related to your disability service.
The requirements can be complicated and vary from condition to condition; our experienced disability lawyers can help you navigate the legal process, gather necessary documentation, and advocate to maximize your chances of receiving the benefits you deserve.
Cardiovascular Conditions
- Heart attack
- Heart disease
- Hypertension
Cancers
- Cancer
- Chronic B-cell leukemia
- Prostate cancer
Common Diseases That Affect Veterans
- Alcoholism
- Caisson Disease
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Chronic pain
- Chronic multi-symptom illness
- Fibromyalgia
- Gulf War Illness
- Gulf War Syndrome
- Hepatitis C
- Infectious diseases
- Lupus
- Meniere’s Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Common Mental Conditions Affecting Veterans
- Alzheimer’s
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Chronic adjustment disorder
- Delusional disorder
- Dementia
- Depression
- Depressive disorder
- Dysthymia
- Military sexual trauma
- Mood disorder
- Non-combat PTSD
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder
- Psychotic disorder
- PTSD
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Sleep disorders
Ear and Hearing Conditions
- Hearing loss
- Hyperacusis
- Tinnitus
- Vertigo
Endocrine System Conditions
- Grave’s Disease
- Hyperthyroid
- Hypothyroid
- Thyroid disorder
Extremity Conditions
- Abnormal gait
- Arm
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Elbow
- Forearm
- Shoulder
- Wrist
- Hip pain & replacements
- Knee pain
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Restless Leg Syndrome
Eye Conditions
- Glaucoma
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- Ultimate Guide to GI Issues
- Diverticulitis
- GERD (acid reflux)
- Hemorrhoids
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Ulcerative colitis
Head Conditions
- Chronic sinusitis
- Migraine
- Occipital neuralgia
- Traumatic brain injury
Lung Conditions
- Ultimate Lung Conditions Guide
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Chronic sarcoidosis
- COPD
- Mesothelioma
- Persian Gulf Sand Lung
- Sleep apnea
- Tuberculosis
Musculoskeletal Conditions
- Arthritis
- Back injuries
- Back pain
- Bulging disc
- Cause Equina Syndrome
- Degenerative disc disease
- Lumbosacral strain
- Neck & back arthritis
- Neck pain
- Osteomyelitis
- Osteopenia
- Osteoporosis
- Radiculopathy
- Sciatica
- Spinal fusion
- Spinal stenosis
- Spine & joint disorder
Nervous System Conditions
- Essential tremors
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Peripheral Neuropathy
Reproductive Organ Conditions
- Erectile dysfunction
- Female Sexual Arousal Disorder
- Menorrhagia
Various Conditions
- Chloracne
- Dental problems
- Diabetes
- Incapacitating episodes
- Medicine side effects
- Mefloquine (Malaria Medicine)
- Scar pain
- TMJ
Vascular Conditions
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Varicose veins
How the Type of Disability Impacts VA’s Determination of Disability Ratings
To qualify for VA disability compensation, you must have a disability that is somehow caused or made worse by your military service. The VA will assess the severity of your injury or illness and assign a rating based on the percentage of how disabling—or severe—it is.
A higher VA disability rating indicates a greater level of disability. Therefore, the more disabling your condition, the higher your rating and the more monthly disability compensation you may receive.
Average VA Compensation for Disabilities
According to VA’s most recent compensation report, 5.4 million veterans received disability compensation in 2022. The average annual payment was $20,686, or roughly $1,724 monthly.
According to VA, the top ten most common service-connected disabilities were:
- Tinnitus
- Limitation of flexion, knee
- Hearing loss
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain
- Paralysis of the sciatic nerve
- Scars, general
- Limitation of motion of the ankle
- Limitation of motion of the arm
- Migraine
Keep in mind that these are the averages across millions of individual cases. Each case will be different. To ensure you’re getting the most for your claim, contact a VA disability lawyer at Vetus Legal today.
Hiring a Lawyer for VA Disability Benefits
A VA disability lawyer can provide invaluable help to veterans seeking disability benefits. A VA disability lawyer can help veterans navigate the complex VA system, advocate for their rights, and provide legal representation for their claims.
At Vetus Legal, our disability benefits lawyers can:
- Determine eligibility for VA benefits
- Represent you in appeals of denied claims
- Advocate zealously to increase the amount of benefits awarded
- Help you obtain medical evaluations to support their claims
- Obtain and submit evidence to the VA supporting the veteran’s claim
- Advocate for your rights throughout the process
- Develop strategies to maximize VA benefits
If you are a veteran who has been denied disability benefits, don’t wait any longer to get the help you need. Contact our VA disability lawyers at Vetus Legal today to find out how we can help you fight for the benefits you deserve.
