5 Common VA Disabilities and How They’re Rated

The most common VA disabilities include hearing problems, joint damage, and trauma-related mental issues.

Summary

• Nearly 2 million VA disability claims were processed in 2023, with the top 5 common disabilities remaining consistent.
• As common conditions among veterans, tinnitus and hearing loss often result from loud work environments and typically lead to a 10% VA disability rating.
• Increasingly prevalent, the VA rates PTSD on a scale from 10% to 100%, depending on the severity and impact on daily functioning and work ability.
• Limitation of flexion knee injuries and disfiguring scars are also common, with VA disability ratings based on range of motion and extent of disfigurement, respectively.

The number of VA disability claims has increased dramatically over the last few years, with nearly 2 million claims processed in 2023 alone. Despite the growing volume of veterans disability claims, the top 5 common VA disabilities have remained largely the same. 

VetLaw has extensive experience with claims for these disabilities. We understand how they are rated and how to maximize VA disability benefits in these cases. As VA-accredited veterans disability claims lawyers, our team has garnered a reputation for being attentive and effective advocates for vets with service-related conditions. 

We encourage you to schedule a free consultation with us by calling (855) 573-1503 or submitting a contact form. Our VA disability attorneys can assist with building an appeal for compensation so you can focus on managing your health.

Tinnitus is a Top Condition Cited in VA Disability Claims

Many veterans work in loud environments that erode their hearing over time, leading them to experience a persistent ringing noise in one or both ears. The volume and regularity with which the ringing occurs varies by individual. Veterans with service-connected tinnitus may struggle to detect or understand other sounds over the ringing.

Severe tinnitus may impede a veteran’s ability to communicate with others in both personal and professional contexts. Many find this frustrating or even distressing, especially if they are excluded because of their physical condition. Additionally, tinnitus can interfere with a veteran’s ability to sleep and concentrate.

These symptoms can have significant implications for a veteran’s quality of life, as well as their ability to perform their job safely and effectively. In some cases, vets may even develop secondary conditions such as depression. Despite the impact it can have, the VA generally only offers a maximum 10% disability rating for service-connected tinnitus.

Hearing Loss Claims Are Common But Offer Limited VA Disability Benefits

A veteran’s hearing can become impaired as the result of a single event, like being close to an explosive when it detonates or external trauma to the ear. Vets who are consistently exposed to noise above 85 decibels, especially without adequate ear protection, are also prone to hearing loss.

Instead of giving each ear its own disability rating, the VA issues one overall hearing loss rating. The VA rates this common disability by assessing the veteran’s ability to perceive sounds at various volumes and pitches.

Then, the VA applies a formula to determine the level of impairment and appropriate VA disability rating. Like VA disability claims for tinnitus, claims for service-related hearing loss typically only garner a 10% VA disability rating.

In some cases, the VA may assign a 0% disability rating for service-connected hearing loss if the condition is not sufficiently inhibitory. However, it is not uncommon for a veteran’s hearing to decline naturally as they age, so vets with service-related hearing loss may eventually want to file an appeal to increase their VA disability rating.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is Becoming an Increasingly Common VA Disability

After a disturbing, life-threatening, or terrifying in-service experience, veterans may develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as their brains struggle to process the event(s). Veterans can develop PTSD after witnessing an event, like another person’s death, or from experiencing an event themselves, like Military Sexual Trauma. 

With PTSD, a veteran is continually dragged back to their trauma in flashbacks and nightmares. To avoid this, many vets with PTSD try to dodge situations that remind them of the source of their distress. 

The combination of PTSD symptoms can prove disabling, preventing vets from supporting themselves and their families financially or emotionally. Unfortunately, VA research on PTSD rates suggests the disability is becoming more common among vets.

The VA relies on evidence like therapist’s notes, medication history, and statements from family to determine PTSD ratings. PTSD is a mental condition, so the VA uses a different scale to rate this common disability:

• 10% Rating: PTSD symptoms are infrequent or largely managed by medication.
• 30% Rating: PTSD symptoms sometimes make it difficult to function, but you can still work and maintain relationships.
• 50% Rating: Specific PTSD symptoms regularly interfere with your work, relationships, and cognitive functioning. Under specific circumstances, the VA may issue an automatic 50% disability rating for PTSD. A vet must prove their PTSD diagnosis is service-related and that their PTSD was the reason for their discharge.  
• 70% Rating: Specific PTSD symptoms, like anxiety, depressed mood, and volatile behavior,  generally prevent you from holding a job, being present in relationships, and taking care of yourself.
• 100% Rating: PTSD symptoms have escalated to the point where you are a threat to yourself or others and you have trouble separating reality from hallucinations. You can’t work, manage your own affairs, or socialize due to PTSD symptoms.

Limitation of Flexion Knee Injuries Are a Leading Source of Disability Among Vets

Veterans with limitation of flexion knee injuries are unable to fully bend their knee back in the direction of their body. Limitation of flexion injuries to the knee can be caused by an acute trauma like a fall, chronic conditions like arthritis, or repeated damage from absorbing multiple impacts. 

Military personnel engage in many activities like running, jumping, lifting, and climbing, that can inflame, tear, or put excessive strain on the knee. Consequently, limitation of flexion knee injuries  are in the top 5 common VA disabilities.

As this damage accumulates, it can temporarily or permanently reduce a veteran’s ability to retract their knee. A limited range of motion in the knee can have significant consequences for a veteran’s mobility, job prospects, and lifestyle.

To determine a disability rating for a service-connected limitation of flexion knee injury, the VA looks at how many degrees a vet can bend their knee, as compared to the normal joint range of motion for knees, which is approximately 120 to 150 degrees.

• 10% Rating: Veteran can only bend their knee to 45 degrees.
• 20% Rating: The veteran can only bend their knee to 30 degrees.
• 30% Rating: Veteran is only able to bend their knee to 15 degrees.

Scars Impact Millions of Veterans Seeking VA Disability Benefits

After undergoing surgery to address medical issues, burning skin on a hot surface, or surviving traumatic injuries, veterans often develop scars as their skin attempts to repair itself.  Vets may qualify for VA disability benefits for scarring when it is disfiguring, linked to soft tissue damage, or causes pain. 

For disfiguring scars on the head, face, or neck, the VA rates claims based on the number of officially recognized disfiguring characteristics that apply or how many facial features are significantly affected by the scarring.

• 10% Rating: Vet displays one disfiguring characteristic.
• 30% Rating: Veteran has two or three official disfiguring characteristics or one facial feature is impacted.
• 50% Rating: Veteran’s scarring has four or five characteristics of disfigurement or two facial features are affected.
• 80% Rating: Veteran possesses at least six disfiguring characteristics or at least three facial features are compromised by scarring.

The location of a veteran’s scars can change how they’re rated by the VA. Scars that are not on the head, face, or neck are rated under different diagnostic codes. If the scarring is related to soft tissue damage, the VA rating schedule is:

• 10% Rating: Scarring covers between 6 and 12 square inches.
• 20% Rating: Scarring spans between 12 and 72 square inches.
• 30% Rating: Veteran’s scars cover 72 to 144 square inches.
• 40% Rating: Vet’s scaring takes up 144 square inches or more. 

For scarring that doesn’t fit either of these categories, but covers at least 144 square inches, the VA disability rating is 10%. Finally, for scarring that is painful or unstable, the VA uses these ratings:

• 10% Rating: One or two scars that fit one of the two descriptors.
• 20% Rating: Three or four scars that each meet one of the criteria.
• 30% Rating: At least five scars qualify as painful or unstable.

Consider VetLaw When Appealing Claims for Common VA Disabilities

Although many vets assume common VA disabilities are the easiest disabilities to get approved, that does not mean that the process is simple, or quick. The best way to approach the VA appeals process is with the help of a dedicated, skilled veterans disability claims attorney.

Our VA disability appeals lawyers have provided this type of support to veterans for nearly ten years. At VetLaw, we believe vets with service-connected injuries and illnesses should be properly compensated by the VA for their financial, physical, and mental sacrifices.

You can reach us at (855) 573-1503 or submit a contact form to schedule a free consultation. We will guide you through the VA appeals process and protect your rights while seeking maximum benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add my VA disability ratings together to get my combined VA disability rating?

No, this is not how the percentage system for VA benefits works. Say that you had a 20% VA disability rating for limitation of flexion for your knee and a 70% VA disability rating for PTSD; that does not mean you have a combined 90% VA disability rating. 

Under the VA’s system, the lower disability rating would essentially offer a small boost to the higher disability rating. If you combine the percentages using the VA’s combined ratings table, the official rating is 76%, but the VA rounds that up to 80%.

How does the VA use C&P exams to rate common VA disabilities?

Compensation and Pension exam results are one of the key sources of evidence the VA considers when rating a disability. C&P exams allow a VA provider to evaluate the veteran’s symptoms firsthand instead of solely relying on other provider’s opinions and medical records that may be incomplete or outdated.

Then, the VA will use the C&P examiner’s findings to see which VA disability rating the veteran’s symptoms align with.

Can I receive two separate VA disability ratings for service-related tinnitus and hearing loss?

Tinnitus and hearing loss are often linked. However, the VA does offer veterans two distinct ratings for these disabilities if they have both conditions. One condition may be secondary to the other and still qualify for VA disability benefits.