Common VA Disability Conditions

The VA recognizes hundreds of conditions that can be service-connected. Below are the most commonly claimed categories, with guidance on what the VA looks for when rating each type.

Mental Health Conditions

Mental health conditions are among the most commonly service-connected disabilities. They are rated under 38 CFR § 4.130 using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%).

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) — The most commonly claimed mental health condition. Requires a diagnosis, an in-service stressor, and a nexus. See our complete PTSD guide.
• Major Depressive Disorder — Often secondary to chronic pain or other service-connected conditions.
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder — Can be primary or secondary to other conditions.
• Adjustment Disorder — Related to difficulty adapting after military service.
• Bipolar Disorder — When onset or aggravation occurs during service.

Musculoskeletal Conditions

Musculoskeletal conditions (bones, joints, muscles) are the single most commonly rated category of VA disability. They’re rated based on range of motion limitation, painful motion, instability, and functional loss.

• Degenerative Arthritis (DJD) — Extremely common after years of physical military service. Rated on limitation of motion of the affected joint.
• Lumbosacral Strain / Degenerative Disc Disease — Back conditions are rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Spine based on range of motion and incapacitating episodes.
• Cervical Spine Conditions — Neck injuries rated similarly to back conditions.
• Knee Conditions — Including limitation of flexion, limitation of extension, and instability (can be rated separately under different diagnostic codes).
• Shoulder Conditions — Rotator cuff tears, impingement, and limited range of motion.
• Plantar Fasciitis / Flat Feet (Pes Planus) — Common in infantry and other physically demanding MOSs.
• Ankle Conditions — Sprains, instability, and limited motion.

Hearing and Vision

• Tinnitus — Ringing in the ears. One of the most commonly service-connected conditions. Maximum rating of 10% (bilateral), but tinnitus may also support a mental health claim if it causes sleep disturbance or anxiety.
• Bilateral Hearing Loss — Rated based on audiometric testing (pure tone threshold and speech discrimination). Even a 0% rating establishes service connection and provides access to VA hearing aids.
• Vision Conditions — Including decreased visual acuity, visual field loss, and eye conditions caused by service.

Presumptive Conditions

Presumptive conditions don’t require you to prove direct service connection. If you served in qualifying locations during qualifying periods, certain conditions are presumed service-connected.

Agent Orange / Herbicide Exposure

Veterans who served in Vietnam, Thailand (certain bases), or other locations where tactical herbicides were used may claim presumptive service connection for conditions including: Type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, bladder cancer, hypertension, and multiple cancers.

Burn Pit / PACT Act Conditions

The PACT Act (2022) dramatically expanded presumptive conditions for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances in Iraq, Afghanistan, Southwest Asia, and other locations. Covered conditions include various cancers, respiratory conditions, and constrictive bronchiolitis.

Gulf War Illness

Veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater may claim chronic undiagnosed illnesses including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, functional gastrointestinal disorders, and medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987 may be eligible for presumptive service connection for conditions related to contaminated water, including kidney cancer, liver cancer, and multiple other conditions.

Other Common Conditions

• Sleep Apnea — Increasingly claimed as both primary and secondary to PTSD or weight gain from limited mobility. Rated at 0%, 30%, 50%, or 100%.
• Migraines — Rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, or 50% based on frequency and severity of prostrating attacks.
• GERD / Acid Reflux — Often secondary to medications taken for service-connected conditions.
• Skin Conditions — Including eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis, often related to environmental exposures.
• Diabetes — Can be presumptive (Agent Orange) or direct/secondary service connection.
• Peripheral Neuropathy — Nerve damage, often secondary to diabetes or spinal conditions.
• Scars — Painful or unstable scars from injuries or surgeries during service.
• Total Disability (TDIU) — Not a condition, but a rating that provides 100% compensation when service-connected disabilities prevent substantially gainful employment.