Top Ten Most Common VA Disability Claims
March 03, 2021
More than 5.5 million (28.7 percent) of the 19.3 million veterans living in the United States today currently have a VA disability rating related to a service-connected injury or illness. There are many others who have never applied for VA benefits or who were initially denied and did not pursue their claim any further.
These veteran claims include more than 21 million different disabilities. According to annual data from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, the ten most common disabilities are:
- Tinnitus—Tinnitus is a ringing, clicking, buzzing or other noise in one or both ears. Many veterans are exposed to gunfire or explosions that significantly damage hearing. Tinnitus can also accompany other conditions, like a traumatic brain injury.
- Hearing loss—Again, exposure to loud noises at close range can seriously harm hearing. Hearing loss and tinnitus are separate conditions, and a veteran can be rated for either or both.
- Limitation of flexion of the knee—When a veteran has difficulty kneeling, bending or using one or both knees, the VA may assign a disability rating based on how badly range of motion is affected.
- Lumbosacral or cervical strain—This is very severe, disabling back and/or neck pain.
- Scars—Veterans with scarring on their bodies (typically from burns or injury) can be given a VA disability rating based on the scars’ size and location.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder—This is an increasingly common condition among post-9/11 era veterans caused by exposure to a traumatic event. It can have an extensive effect on life for sufferers.
- Limitation of ankle movement—This is like difficulty with moving the knees and is rated based on the severity of symptoms.
- Migraines—The VA will establish a disability rating based on how frequently migraines occur and how severe they are.
- General impairment of the knee
- Paralysis of the sciatic nerve—Sciatic nerve pain causes extreme pain and weakness to radiate down the sciatic nerve when pressure is applied (such as with a step,) which runs down the back through the legs and buttocks. It can be so debilitating that it paralyzes.
Just because these conditions are the most common does not mean that they are the easiest to receive a VA disability rating for. Each claim is considered individually and must have sufficient evidence to support a service-connection. Evidence must come from medical professionals and non-professional sources to show that an injury or illness sustained while in the military precipitated the disability that is being rated.
If you have questions about a VA disability claim, Legal Help for Veterans can help. The firm is run by veterans, exclusively for veterans. For a free consultation, please call (800) 693-4800.