Most Common VA Disabilities

The most common service-connected conditions include missing limbs, burns, spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, and hearing loss. The VA uses a rating process to evaluate each condition and assign a disability percentage that determines your monthly compensation.

If any of these conditions apply to you, learn how to apply for VA disability pay to get started on your claim. Once your claim is approved and payments begin, check VA disability pay dates to know exactly when to expect your monthly compensation.

The most commonly claimed conditions aren’t always the highest rated. Hearing loss and tinnitus, for example, max out at 10% despite being among the most widespread service-connected disabilities.

Knowing which conditions come up most often in VA claims matters because you might not realize you qualify until you see your symptoms in context.

Hearing Damage, Hearing Loss

Tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are among the most common ear-associated disabilities. You may find 10% maximum ratings are possible for tinnitus, and the same is true for hearing loss.

A doctor’s diagnosis is not enough to make the claim in this area.

The VA evaluates your hearing loss and/or tinnitus independently of other diagnoses, but takes those into account when determining your claim.

Some Veterans may be rated 0% for hearing loss. So don’t be surprised if this happens to you, depending on the nature of your claim, circumstances, etc. But make sure you submit your hearing issues to the VA in your claim, regardless.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common VA-rated disabilities.

While PTSD is not a precise diagnosis of a specific mental state or condition, the disorder is like other mental health issues existing on a spectrum.

You may experience severe PTSD, mild PTSD, or something in between.

To obtain a VA rating for PTSD, you are required to be evaluated by a VA provider. The evaluation seeks to establish whether the trauma was service-connected, the severity of it, and other factors. A PTSD rating of 70% reportedly is not uncommon.

Scars

Scarring can happen for various reasons–traumatic injury, surgery, multiple or lesser injuries, etc.

Scarring can be cosmetic, or it could be more life-threatening, depending on a variety of factors. The VA’s criteria for scars is strict, and many Veterans may get a 0% rating unless there are complications—pain, unstable healing, etc. A VA rating for scars may be more associated with the size of the scarring rather than the actual location.

Scars present unique issues for Veterans. While you may not receive VA compensation for a post-surgery scar, you may be able to claim temporary VA disability benefits while you are healing from an operation.

On the list of VA criteria that may qualify you for such temporary disability? Surgical wounds that are slow to heal or don’t seem to be healing properly may qualify as a temporary disability. While other criteria may apply, it is important to know your options when seeking treatment. Ask your VA rep if you are heading into surgery soon.

Knee Problems

One of the top five most common VA disabilities, “knee problems”, can be a broad term. But specific issues, such as limitation of flexion of the knee, refers to a specific problem and has a specific diagnosis. If your limited motion is due to an injury, you must submit documentation of that injury. If your issues are not injury related, but still include “painful motion” or other limitations, you will need to present a current diagnosis with your claim if you have one–and it’s a very good idea to obtain one. What kinds of issues are associated with VA ratings for knee problems?

• Problems with joints and muscles with pain or limited motion
• Arthritis
• Weakness
• A loss of power
• Easily fatigued
• Lack of coordination
• Decreased movement or decreased control of movement

Not all knee issues are “standalone,” meaning you may have knee problems in association with other diseases, injuries, etc.

Back and Neck Pain, Spinal Issues

The VA evaluates back and neck conditions based on range of motion, flexibility, and how the issue affects your ability to bend, sit, stand, and work. Cervical strain is one of the most common VA disability claims regardless of age or sex, though ratings in this area tend to be lower than expected, more than 90% of claims result in ratings between 0% and 20%.

When filing, document all relevant military experience including carrying heavy loads, working in awkward positions, or prolonged hiking with a full pack. A few key things to keep in mind:

• Conditions are evaluated based on range of motion and pain during movement.
• Cervical strain covers injury, stretching, or tearing of neck tendons or muscles, including damage from repetitive use.
• Include any civilian diagnoses in your claim and see a doctor as soon as symptoms appear.
• Many back and neck issues are linked to other injuries, don’t rule out secondary connections.

Migraines

A high number of Veterans file claims for migraines. They are in the top ten most common VA disability claims. This is considered a “high-value VA claim”, as 30% ratings are not uncommon.

Getting headaches and experiencing migraines are two different things–migraine sufferers are said to experience a neurological problem that can dramatically affect the ability to work and enjoy life. What kinds of symptoms does the VA look for?

• Frequent attacks resulting in complete “prostrating” (lying down) to cope with the attack
• Less frequent attacks (once per month or less) that result in complete prostrating
• Attacks averaging one in two months or less resulting in complete prostrating
• Attacks less frequent than those mentioned above

The VA wants to know how these issues directly affect the Veteran’s quality of life and how they can manage employment, self-care, etc. Migraines may be associated with another condition which is why the VA may want you to submit any information related to other injuries, conditions, or diseases which may aggravate the condition.

Other Common Disabilities

Veterans receive compensation for a wide range of service-connected conditions beyond the most well-known ones. Other commonly claimed disabilities include:

• Paralysis of the sciatic nerve: Pressure on a spinal nerve causes pain extending from the lower back through the buttocks and legs; severe cases may lead to paralysis.
• Sleep apnea: Veterans are four times more likely than civilians to have sleep apnea. Ratings can reach up to 100%, but a sleep study is required for diagnosis.
• Chemical exposures: Exposure to Agent Orange, asbestos, mustard gas, radiation, or environmental hazards from serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Djibouti, or Atsugi, Japan can lead to serious health conditions including cancer. The VA expanded healthcare coverage in 2024 for veterans who served in listed combat zones or near toxic herbicide storage sites.
• Major depressive disorder: Nearly one-third of veterans have symptoms of depression, which can include fatigue, appetite changes, difficulty sleeping, and feeling hopeless. Ratings can reach 100%.
• Anxiety: Symptoms include difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, restlessness, and excessive worry. Ratings can reach 100% for service-connected anxiety.
• Asthma and respiratory conditions: More prevalent among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans due to burn pit exposure; approximately 3% have been diagnosed with asthma.
• Diabetes: Nearly a quarter of veterans seen by the VA have diabetes. Veterans exposed to Agent Orange during Vietnam service receive a presumptive service connection.
• Secondary conditions: Any condition caused by another service-connected disability — including medication side effects or mental health issues — may qualify for additional compensation and can help veterans reach a combined 100% rating.

Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your monthly compensation based on your combined rating. Remember that VA disability rating criteria are subject to change. Always confirm current guidelines directly with the VA.