Chronic Pain and VA Disability: What Rating You May Qualify For and How to Get Compensation

It can feel like an uphill battle to live with chronic pain. Many sufferers have anxiety, sadness, and insomnia—disorders that exacerbate the toll chronic pain has on day-to-day functioning.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) acknowledges this by listing chronic pain syndrome as one of the illnesses that qualify for disability compensation.

In general, chronic pain is characterized as intermittent or continuous pain that lasts longer than three months. Chronic pain can occur anywhere on the body, although back pain is the most prevalent kind.

You must have a formal medical diagnosis of chronic pain in order to be eligible for VA disability compensation.

Making a clear link between your ailment and your military service is also very important.

How is chronic pain rated by the VA?

Chronic pain syndrome is not given a precise rating by the VA. Rather, the related symptoms or consequences, such sadness or insomnia, are used to determine your disability grade.

For instance, the level of sadness brought on by chronic pain may be 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or even 100%. The VA’s composite rating table is used to account for depression as well as other problems including anxiety.

You can be eligible for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) in certain circumstances.

Eligibility requirements include having a single service-connected disability with a rating of 60% or more, or having multiple disabilities with a total rating of at least 70% and one rated over 40%.

How may someone with chronic pain syndrome apply for VA disability benefits?

Making a benefit application is simple. Begin by compiling proof that your chronic pain syndrome is related to your service.

Next, submit your claim via Form 21-526EZ to the VA. You have three options for submitting your claim: in person, by mail, or online.

Following the submission of your claim, the VA will examine your case, set up a claim review, and, using the supporting documentation, determine your disability rating.

A VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can offer knowledgeable advice with your application if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the procedure.