What Injuries Are the Easiest to Claim for VA Disability?
Are you a veteran who deals with a service-related injury, illness or medical condition? The disability claims process can be complicated for many veterans and many have had claims denied by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We may be able to help here at VA Benefits Attorneys. We know that you have questions about your disability claim and a common question that we hear from veterans is – what injuries are the easiest to claim for VA disability? Here is a list of the most common injuries, illnesses and medical conditions that can be claimed for VA disability.
Top 10 Easiest Injuries, Illnesses and Medical Conditions to Claim for VA Disability
Veterans of the U.S. Military have had to withstand pain, fatigue, injury and much more than most civilians can understand and that service has left an indelible mark on many veterans across the United States. Monthly disability pay is a primary way to compensate veterans for injuries, illnesses and medical conditions sustained in the line of duty. Veterans who hope to apply for disability via the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may not know if they are eligible and may not know how to apply.
VA Benefits Attorneys can help with a list of the top 10 easiest injuries, illnesses and medical conditions to claim for VA disability.
List of Most Common VA Disabilities in 2024
- Tinnitus – 2,703,665 Claims
- Limited Knee Flexion – 1,657,593 Claims
- Hearing Loss – 1,426,183 Claims
- PTSD – 1,343,669 Claims
- Lumbosacral/Cervical Strain – 1,325,248 Claims
- Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve – 1,308,812 Claims
- Scar Tissue – 964,644 Claims
- Limited Ankle Mobility – 930,108 Claims
- Limited Arm Mobility – 894,846 Claims
- Migraines – 837,211 Claims
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is defined as a perception of ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, hissing or humming in your ears and is caused by hair cell damage in the inner ear. This is the easiest medical condition to claim for VA disability and results in a 10% VA disability rating – no higher or lower. There is no test for Subjective Tinnitus and a Statement in Support of a Claim with a specific service-related event will help you prove your claim.
Limited Knee Flexion
Physical fitness runs and long ruck marches take a toll on your knees as a veteran and limited knee flexibility is the second highest claimed disability by veterans. Knee pain and loss of flexibility may be caused by torn cartilage, ruptured ligaments, arthritis, gout and more. VA disability ratings for veterans with limited flexion of the knee range from 0% to 30% with breaks at 10% and 20%. Ankylosis of the knee can carry a disability rating from 30% to 60%. The Painful Motion Principle applies to this injury and the VA is required to provide a minimum 10% disability rating if you experience knee pain upon flexion or extension.
Hearing Loss
Explosions, gunfire, artillery fire, diesel engines and jet engines are just a few examples of things that can have a negative impact on hearing for veterans and hearing loss is a common disability claim. There are three types of hearing loss – conductive, sensorineural and mixed – with disability ratings that range from 0% to 100% with breaks at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% and 90%. The average VA disability rating for hearing loss is 10%. Hearing loss claims are difficult to prove if you have been out of the military for more than a year.
PTSD
Veterans who have seen combat come back with more than just physical trauma. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can manifest as flashbacks, nightmares, debilitating anxiety, depression and uncontrollable thoughts of traumatic stressor events. Disability ratings for PTSD range from 0% to 100% with breaks at 10%, 30%, 50% and 70%. Veterans with total occupational and social impairment can receive a 100% disability rating for this medical condition. Veterans who believe they have PTSD must have a stressor event included with the claim that can be defined as an event where you feared for your life.
Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain
Do you struggle with neck pain as a veteran? You may suffer from lumbosacral or cervical strain – which is a common and easy injury to claim for disability. Injuries may have been sustained due to poor posture, carrying heavy equipment, combat deployments and more. VA disability ratings for this type of strain range from 10% to 100% with breaks at 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%. The Painful Motion Principle can be applied to this type of service-related injury.
Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve
Sciatica is a common disability claim for veterans and is easy to prove. The sciatic nerve runs from your lower back to your hips and down each leg – and sciatica is pain that radiates along that major nerve. This medical condition can be caused by bone spurs, a herniated disk or spinal stenosis that can result in pain and numbness in your leg. VA disability ratings for sciatica range from 10% to 80% with complete paralysis of the nerve at the high end of the spectrum and breaks at 20%, 40% and 60%.
Scar Tissue
Heavy scar tissue is common for many veterans – whether it be from combat injury, surgery, illness, accident or burn – and can be claimed for VA disability due to severe distortion or loss of mobility. The average VA disability rating for scar tissue is 10% with the maximum rating at 80%, which indicates severe scar tissue on the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, chin, forehead or cheeks. Photos of scar tissue are the best way to prove your disability claim.
Limited Ankle Mobility
Your ankles bear the brunt of the punishment for many veterans with bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles that can be damaged by military service. Veterans who suffer pain or loss of mobility in their ankles may receive a disability rating from 10% to 20% – and ankle pain is subject to minimum compensation via the Painful Motion Principle.
Limited Arm Mobility
Frozen shoulder and arm are medical conditions that are common among veterans and are characterized by loss of mobility and pain in your shoulder joints. VA disability ratings for limited arm and shoulder mobility will range from 0% to 40% with breaks at 10% and 20%. The Painful Motion Principle can be applied to this type of injury and promises a minimum 10% disability rating.
Migraines
Do you suffer severe migraines that leave you helpless and force you to lay down? Migraines are a common disability for veterans that are defined as a headache that causes severe throbbing pain and a pulsing sensation. These severe migraines can cause nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to lights or sounds. The VA disability ratings for migraines range from 0% to 50% with breaks at 10% and 30%. A key variable in these disability claims is severe pain that forces you to lie down prostrate.
READ MORE: What Will VA Disability Pay Rates Be in 2024?
Veterans who hope to claim a service-related injury, illness or medical condition may ask – what injuries are easiest to claim for VA disability? We hope that this list of the top 10 most common VA disability claims will help you get the compensation that you have earned with your time in service. Contact VA Benefits Attorneys today for more information on how to appeal a denied disability claim!
