Most Common Veteran Disabilities and How They are Rated
- mdaviscvono
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
Each year, the VA reports on the top conditions veterans are receiving VA disability benefits for. But, if you’re receiving veterans disability benefits or are considering filing a claim, you know that benefits vary significantly. The amount of monthly compensation you receive, and your access to non-monetary benefits such as medical care, depends on your VA disability rating.
With that in mind, it’s important to know how the VA rates common conditions, and what the differences in those ratings can mean for you as a disabled veteran. It’s also important to understand that the rating criteria may be technical and complex and that there may be circumstances where a veteran is entitled to extra-schedular rating.
Working with an experienced veterans disability benefits advocate from the beginning can eliminate the unknowns, reduce stress, and help avoid simple mistakes or omissions that can delay a claim or result in denial.
Table of Contents
Top 6 VA Disabilities in 2023
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is by far the most common condition veterans receive disability benefits for. In 2023, 2,944,093 veterans were receiving VA disability benefits for this condition–the only one accounting for more than 2 million recipients. In 2023, more than 220,000 new recipients started receiving veterans disability benefits for tinnitus.
However, tinnitus is different from most conditions veterans receive benefits for, in that only one VA disability rating is possible. A veteran with service-connected tinnitus is entitled to a 10% disability rating. That’s true regardless of severity, and regardless of whether it’s in one ear or both. A veteran with a disability rating for tinnitus can have a higher combined rating if they suffer from one or more other service-connected conditions. And, a very small percentage of veterans with tinnitus have been assigned an extra-schedular rating. However, the rating schedule for the condition contains only the 10% rating.
Limitation of Flexion of the Knee
Limited flexion of the knee comes in second, with 1,853,161 veterans receiving veterans disability benefits for the condition in 2023. That same year, 142,841 new recipients started getting VA disability for the limited flexion of the knee.
With most conditions, there’s one rating schedule. If benefits are to be awarded, it will either be based on that schedule or due to an extraschedular determination. Knee flexion (and also hip flexion) conditions are a bit different. Under 38 CFR §4.71a, knee flexion conditions are to be evaluated under whichever of four different schedules yields the highest rating.
These differing listings also offer different ranges of disability ratings. On two of these schedules, the lowest possible rating is 0%. The top ends of the schedules range from 30% to 60%.
Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve
As of the most recent report, 1,502,563 veterans were receiving disability benefits for paralysis of the sciatic nerve, including 72,520 new recipients in 2023.
Paralysis of the sciatic nerve is evaluated under 38 CFR §4.124a. The rating depends on the degree of paralysis, as follows:
Mild – 10%
Moderate – 20%
Moderately severe – 40%
Severe with marked muscular atrophy – 60%
Complete – 80%
Hearing Loss
Given the noise level of combat, as well as gunfire and other munitions and military equipment such as helicopters, it’s probably no surprise that hearing loss is one of the top five reasons veterans are receiving disability benefits. In 2023, 1,491,093 veterans received VA disability benefits for hearing loss–81,406 of them for the first time.
The VA determines disability ratings for hearing loss through a very specific process. Two specific tests are required and must be administered by a licensed audiologist. The two required tests are the Maryland CNC test and the Pure-Tone audiometric test. The VA then uses a grid system to determine the appropriate disability rating, with possible ratings ranging from 0% to 100%. A veteran with a 100% disability rating due to hearing loss may be entitled to Special Monthly Compensation.
Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain
In 2023, 1,453,400 veterans were receiving veterans disability benefits for lumbosacral or cervical strain, including 116,810 new recipients. These conditions are rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Conditions of the Spine.
The ratings are based on the degree and nature of immobilization of the spine. Possible ratings are 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 100%. At the lower end of the rating scale, there are multiple ways a veteran can qualify for that rating. However, at the higher end, the requirements are narrower. A 50% rating is assigned for unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. A 100% rating is assigned when the veteran has unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder is by far the most common mental health condition veterans receive VA disability benefits for. In 2023, 1,451,153 veterans received benefits for PTSD, including 67,857 new recipients. PTSD is rated on the General Rating Schedule for Mental Disorders.
The rating for PTSD and other mental health conditions depends on the degree of social and occupational impairment, with possible ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70% and 100%. At the low end, a 0% rating is assigned when the veteran has been diagnosed with PTSD, but symptoms are not serious enough to impair social or occupational function and continuous medication is not required. At the other end of the spectrum, a 100% rating is assigned for total social and occupational impairment.
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