What Are the Easiest Things to Claim for VA Disability?

Veterans may have an easier time accessing VA disability benefits for certain service-related illnesses and injuries.

Summary

• Service-related conditions, like hearing loss and knee injuries, are usually less complicated to claim for VA disability benefits.
• Veterans can benefit from the assistance of a veterans disability claims lawyer, like those at VetLaw, regardless of the complexity of their claim.
• Disabilities that can be easily confirmed, have clear symptoms, and result in observable harm are often easier to claim for VA disability benefits.
• Presumptive conditions, where the VA assumes a connection to military service, are among the easiest things to claim for VA disability.

The VA disability claims process is notoriously tough on veterans seeking financial support for their service-connected conditions. It often requires a considerable investment of time and effort. However, some conditions present less of a challenge to veterans seeking VA disability benefits than others.

Whether your condition is one of the easiest things to claim for VA disability or not, a veterans disability claims lawyer can be an invaluable ally. At VetLaw, we have capably assisted countless veterans in securing VA disability benefits for straightforward and complex claims alike.

You can reach out to our team by calling (855) 964-1925 or by filling out an online contact form to schedule a free consultation. Let us act as your advocates during the VA disability claims appeals process for the best results with the least amount of stress.

Conditions With High Approval Rates for VA Disability Benefits

Generally, injuries or illnesses with clear diagnostic criteria, an obvious service connection, and evident impairments are the easiest things to claim for VA disability benefits. Additionally, conditions like tinnitus, which are hard to discredit and have a low disability rating cap, are often approved by the VA.

The VA keeps track of the number of claims it approves for various service-related conditions, and the top disabilities for 2022 include the following conditions.

• Tinnitus, where a vet hears a persistent ringing or buzzing in one or both ears 
• Knee injury, which can include repetitive strain injuries, joint damage, torn muscles or ligaments, bursitis, arthritis, broken bones, and other knee injuries that compromise a vet’s ability to fully flex, balance, or support their own weight
• Hearing loss, where a veteran’s capacity to perceive sounds, like soft noises or high-pitched tones, is diminished or non-existent in one or both ears
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a mental condition marked by extreme anxiety connected to witnessing or experiencing a traumatic incident
• Spinal injury, which can include sciatica from repeated overuse or stress, an acute spinal cord injury, or other injury that compresses, strains, or cuts the spinal cord, leading a veteran to struggle with mobility and/or sensation below the injury site

When preparing your VA disability claim, you want to give the VA evaluator every reason to approve your case, even if it is for one of the easiest things to claim for VA disability benefits.

That means submitting evidence of your diagnosis and symptoms. Examples of this evidence could include medical imaging, blood test results, or a letter from your psychologist. 

Additionally, you will need to include documentation of an event or circumstances during your military service that caused or aggravated your disability. This can include service records and support statements, as needed.

Presumptive Conditions Present Fewer Obstacles for Veterans Seeking Compensation

In addition to the specific service-related disabilities outlined above, presumptive conditions are among the easiest things to claim for VA disability. One of the top reasons why the VA denies a claim is because the veteran did not provide enough evidence to demonstrate a service connection, but this is a non-issue with VA disability claims for presumptive conditions.

If a disability is labeled “presumptive”, that means the VA assumes that there is a medical nexus between the disability and military service. Vets with presumptive conditions do not need to prove to the VA that their illness or injury resulted from their military service.

For example, the PACT Act made Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) a presumptive condition for Vietnam vets with Agent Orange exposure. To secure VA disability benefits, a veteran would only need to submit:

• documentation of a MGUS diagnosis from a medical provider
• and proof that they served on active duty in an area and during a time when Agent Orange exposure occurred, such as in a Blue Water Zone between 1962 and 1975 

Additionally, if you are filing for disability benefits based on a presumptive condition, the VA likely has experience handling cases similar to yours and understands what to look for when processing your case.

Get in Touch With the Capable Team at VetLaw About Your VA Disability Claim

If your condition didn’t make the list of the easiest things to claim for VA disability or you are struggling to secure veterans disability benefits after a denial, VetLaw can offer instrumental guidance as you navigate the VA appeals process. 

Our considerable experience is an undeniable asset to our clients who are trying to claim VA disability benefits for a service-related condition. You can feel confident that our veterans disability claims appeals lawyers will provide your claim with the attention and resources it needs to succeed. 

At Vet Law, we offer free consultations to veterans seeking legal support to file an appeal for their VA disability claim. Call (855) 964-1925 or complete an online contact form to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our VA-accredited veterans disability claims lawyers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the wait time for a VA disability claim?

The VA publishes estimated wait times for processing and issuing decisions for disability claims. As of March 2024, the typical wait time for a VA decision is 159.2 days.

If the VA is dealing with a high volume of disability claims when you file, you may not get a decision any faster, even if your specific claim is simple and does not require much time to process.

Will I still need to go to a C&P exam if my disability clearly qualifies for VA benefits?

If you present a strong initial case for one of the easiest things to claim for VA disability, you may not even need a C&P exam. These evaluations are scheduled at the VA’s discretion. Keep in mind that the VA still reserves the right to reevaluate your disability rating for five years after they approve your benefits.

Are Secondary Conditions easier to claim for VA disability than primary conditions?

Usually, veterans struggle more to access VA disability benefits for Secondary Conditions as opposed to their primary service-related disability. However, if your Secondary Condition is a well-documented complication of your service-related condition, that may not be the case.