What Are the 10 Most Common VA Disabilities?

U.S. war veterans who have suffered common VA disabilities while serving are generally eligible to receive a number of benefits, including compensation benefits, pension, rehabilitation assistance, home loans, insurance, and more.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for reviewing claims and administering benefits, which typically requires determining if an applicant’s disability was directly caused by their military service. However, there are also types of injuries and disabilities that automatically qualify for compensation, referred to as “presumptive conditions.”

If you are wondering if your disability qualifies you for VA disability benefits, the committed attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright are here to help. We are proud to assist folks struggling with the claims process, have been wrongfully denied benefits, or are not receiving the full benefits they deserve for common VA disabilities. We can help determine the best path forward to ensure your rights as a veteran are protected!

To get started with a FREE case review, call the Orlando VA benefits lawyers at Colling Gilbert Wright today at (407) 712-7300.

What Are the Most Common VA Disabilities?

The VA publishes an Annual Benefits Report, the most recent of which is the 2023 edition. Among other things, the report presents lists of the most prevalent disabilities faced by benefits recipients.

The top ten most common VA disabilities suffered by nearly six million veterans on disability benefits are:

1. Tinnitus (2,944,093 cases): The most common condition experienced by veterans, tinnitus involves the perception of ringing, buzzing, or other sounds. It is generally caused by exposure to loud noises.
2. Limitation of flexion, knee (1,853,161 cases): This involves stiffness and restricted movement of the knee which can make mobility extremely difficult.
3. Paralysis of the sciatic nerve (1,502,563 cases): The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back to the legs. When paralyzed due to injury, it can lead to pain, weakness, numbness, and even paralysis of the legs.
4. Hearing loss (1,491,093 cases): As with tinnitus, hearing loss—whether partial or total—can be caused by exposure to loud noises, such as explosions and gunfire.
5. Lumbosacral or cervical strain (1,453,400 cases): Caused by injuries to the lower back or neck, these strains can lead to chronic pain, mobility challenges, and limited range of motion.
6. Post-traumatic stress disorder (1,451,153 cases): PTSD is a well-documented mental condition caused by exposure to trauma. Symptoms can include nightmares, flashbacks, and severe anxiety.
7. Limitation of motion of the arm (1,034,311 cases): Traumatic arm injuries can lead to chronic challenges that make it difficult to perform everyday tasks.
8. Limitation of motion of the ankle (1,028,010 cases): Similarly, ankle injuries can create long-term difficulty moving and walking as one would otherwise be able to.
9. Migraine (954,038 cases): Head trauma, such as concussions, can lead to a persistent struggle with migraine, which can be highly debilitating.
10. Scarring (937,680 cases): Service injuries that result in scarring can cause both physical and mental challenges.

While these are the top ten most common VA disabilities, they still account for less than half of the total number of disabilities suffered by disability compensation recipients. Sadly, benefits recipients on average suffer from more than six disabilities at once.

What Conditions Automatically Qualify You For VA Disability?

While some types of injuries and disabilities require you to prove the connection to your service in the military, the VA also has a list of presumptive conditions that do not require you to prove the connection. Instead, the VA assumes the causal connection based on various factors.

These presumptive conditions usually only apply to specific veterans. For example, veterans who were prisoners of war for any length of time may automatically qualify for benefits if they have conditions such as:

• Psychosis
• Heart disease
• Stroke and its residual effects 
• Post-traumatic osteoarthritis
• And more

If you were a POW for at least 30 days, you would qualify for other presumptive conditions if you exhibit symptoms, including malnutrition, cirrhosis of the liver, and osteoporosis.

There are also lists of presumptive conditions for:

• Vietnam veterans
• Atomic veterans exposed to ionizing radiation
• Gulf War and post-9/11 veterans

For a full list of presumptive conditions, read the VA’s Presumptive Disability Benefits fact sheet.

Am I Eligible for VA Disability Compensation?

Eligibility for VA disability compensation requires two primary things to be true:

• You served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training
• You have a current physical or mental illness or injury caused by your service

However, it is important to note that while your condition must be related to your service, there are a few ways your condition can qualify:

• In-service disability claim: This applies if your condition occurred while you were serving in the military.
• Pre-service disability claim: This applies if you were sick or injured before serving in the military but serving made your condition worse.
• Post-service disability claim: Finally, this type of claim applies if your condition was caused by your service but you did not experience symptoms until after your active-duty service ended.

The primary exception to these rules is if you were dishonorably discharged or received an other than honorable or bad conduct discharge, in which case you may be able to upgrade your discharge status to become eligible for benefits.

How Can a VA Disability Lawyer Help You?

While VA disability benefits are an extremely important protection for veterans of the armed forces, the system does not always work as intended. Small mistakes or misunderstandings in the process can lead to delays, denials of common VA disabilities, and a great deal of frustration.

At Colling Gilbert Wright, we understand how challenging this process can be and how much anxiety a denial or delay can cause. Our goal is to walk alongside veterans who are navigating the claims or appeals process to ensure their rights are protected.

Beyond providing general guidance on a claim or appeal, we can gather medical records, build a compelling case that shows your right to VA benefits, ensure all paperwork is filed correctly and on time, and represent you in hearings.

You’ve worked hard to protect our freedoms and rights—now let us protect yours. To get started with a FREE case review, contact our Orlando VA benefits lawyers today.