Looking for Expert-Level VA Claim Answers?📱Call Us Now! 737-295-2226
If you served in the U.S. Coast Guard, you ARE a veteran—and you may qualify for powerful VA benefits. Don’t let myths or misinformation convince you otherwise.
Although most veterans come from the Army, Navy, Marines, or Air Force, Coast Guard veterans are equally eligible for VA disability compensation, healthcare, home loans, and more.
In this post, we’ll highlight the top 6 most common VA claims for Coast Guard veterans—and break down how to get the VA compensation and benefits YOU DESERVE.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- If you served in the Coast Guard and received a general or honorable discharge, you are a veteran and eligible for VA benefits.
- Common VA claims among Coast Guard vets include tinnitus, hearing loss, skin cancer, orthopedic injuries, and PTSD.
- Coast Guard veterans may be eligible for VA disability compensation, healthcare, home loan assistance, and education benefits.
Top 6 Most Common VA Claims for Coast Guard Veterans
Serving in the Coast Guard can expose you to unique hazards, from loud engine rooms to sun exposure at sea to high-stress search and rescue missions.
Below are some of the most commonly rated VA disabilities for Coast Guard veterans:
1. Tinnitus
Constant ringing or buzzing in your ears? You’re not alone. Tinnitus is the #1 most claimed VA disability, especially for Coast Guard vets exposed to:
- Loud ship engines
- Helicopter rotors
- Machine guns during boarding operations
The VA rates tinnitus under diagnostic code 6260 with a maximum and only rating of 10%, regardless of whether one or both ears are affected.
- Did you know? Tinnitus may be capped at 10%, but it can lead to higher ratings when it causes secondary conditions like migraines, anxiety, or sleep issues.
Related Post: 7 BEST Tinnitus VA Rating Tips!
2. Hearing Loss
Exposure to loud engines and equipment, especially without proper hearing protection, can cause long-term hearing loss.
The VA rates hearing loss at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% under DC 6100.
Pro Tip: Make sure your VA hearing exam includes a Maryland CNC word recognition test and a pure tone threshold test, as the VA needs both to give you a proper hearing loss rating.
Related Post: How to Secure a Hearing Loss VA Rating (0-100%)
3. Skin Conditions (Including Skin Cancer)
Coast Guard veterans often spend extended hours in the sun and open water. Long-term sun exposure increases the risk of:
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Melanoma
- Chronic actinic dermatitis
- Other sun-related skin conditions
The VA rates skin conditions based on severity, recurrence, and treatment. For example, the VA rates skin cancer at 100% during active cancer or treatment (such as radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery), and this rating continues for six months after treatment ends.
Related Post: How to Get VA Disability for Skin Cancer
4. Orthopedic Conditions
The physical demands of Coast Guard service, especially on boats and during search and rescue, can lead to:
- Knee pain
- Back injuries
- Joint degeneration
- Neck and shoulder conditions
Generally, the VA rates orthopedic conditions based on the specific joint, bone, or muscle affected, taking into account factors like range of motion, pain, instability, and functional limitations.
Related Post: How to Get a VA Rating for Veteran Orthopedic Conditions
5. Migraines
If you experience prostrating headaches that force you to stop what you’re doing, lie down, or miss work, the VA may rate you for migraines.
Causes of migraines in veterans include, but aren’t limited to:
- Neck trauma
- Stress
- Sleep deprivation
- Toxin exposure
The VA rates migraines under DC 8100 with possible ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%, or 50%.
Related Post: 100% VA Disability Rating for Migraines
6. Mental Health Conditions
The intense stress of Coast Guard missions, such as disaster response, search and rescue, and witnessing death at sea, can cause:
Mental health conditions are highly ratable and often overlooked. Don’t discount your experiences just because you didn’t serve in a combat zone.
The VA rates mental health conditions under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders with potential ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%.
Related Post: Top 7 Mental Health VA Rating Tips Explained
Do Coast Guard Veterans Get VA Disability Benefits?
Yes. If you have a current disability that was caused or made worse by your Coast Guard service, you may qualify for tax-free monthly compensation from the VA.
To receive VA disability benefits, you must show:
- A current medical diagnosis
- An in-service event, illness, or injury
- A link (nexus) between the two
The VA refers to this as a service-connected disability, and it applies to all branches, including the Coast Guard.
Coast Guard VA Benefits
As a Coast Guard veteran, you’re eligible for valuable VA benefits that can provide lasting support for you and your family.
Here are some of the most common benefits you may qualify for:
- VA Disability Compensation – Tax-free monthly payments if you have injuries or illnesses related to your military service.
- VA Health Care – Access to affordable or free medical treatment through VA hospitals and clinics, including preventive care and specialty services.
- VA Dental Care – Some veterans are eligible for dental services, which may include cleanings, fillings, dentures, and other treatments.
- VA Home Loan Program – Helps you buy, build, or refinance a home with no down payment required and no need for private mortgage insurance (PMI), making homeownership more affordable.
- Education and Training Benefits – Programs such as the post-9/11 GI Bill offer tuition assistance, housing allowances, and other support for veterans pursuing education or job training.
- VA Pension – A needs-based benefit for wartime veterans with limited income who meet certain age or disability requirements.
- VA Burial Benefits –Includes headstones or markers, as well as burial allowances for eligible dependents.
- Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) – Offers job training, career counseling, and other services to help veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for and find suitable employment.
How to File for VA Disability Benefits
To qualify for a VA disability rating, you must file a VA claim using VA Form 21-526EZ.
You can file a VA claim:
- By mail
- Via fax
- In person at a VA regional office
Insider Insight: Submitting your claim online through VA.gov is often the fastest and most reliable method. It allows you to track your claim status in real time and reduces the risk of lost paperwork or delays.
(FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Coast Guard get VA benefits?
Yes, eligible Coast Guard veterans can access a full range of VA benefits, just like veterans from the other military branches. VA benefits include medical care, disability pay, education programs, and home loan support. Benefits vary based on your combined VA disability rating.
Is the Coast Guard part of the military?
Yes. The Coast Guard is one of the six official branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Although it typically operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime, it is a military service and can be transferred to the Department of the Navy during wartime or by presidential order.
Are Coast Guard reservists considered veterans?
Yes, Coast Guard reservists are considered veterans if they were called to active duty under federal orders (Title 10) and received a discharge other than dishonorable. Simply serving in the Reserves without being activated doesn’t automatically grant veteran status for VA benefits.
Are Coast Guard considered veterans?
Yes, individuals who served in the Coast Guard are recognized as veterans if they completed active-duty service and were not dishonorably discharged.
How Does VA Claims Insider Support Veterans?
We make the confusing and frustrating VA claim process EASY through our 8-step proprietary system and one-on-one coaching; we’re the VA Claim EXPERTS you can trust, and YOU are never alone in this fight against the VA!
You’ll also receive VA disability expert Brian Reese’s SEM Method Blueprint—a proven formula that has helped over 25,000 veterans win their VA disability claims faster:
Strategy + Education + Medical Evidence = VA Rating and Compensation You Deserve FASTER!
Start today and unlock an exceptional level of service you deserve for serving our country:
- You’ll hear from a VA Claim Expert over email within 15 minutes of signing up today.
- You’ll hear from your Veteran Coach team within 24 hours of all inquiries during normal business days/hours.
- Our terms are clear and simple: If we don’t win, you don’t pay. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Click the red button below to start the process of winning your VA claim right now!
Want Expert-Level Support for Your VA Disability Claim? WE GOT YOUR SIX!
- VA Claims Insider is the #1 most trusted name in VA disability claims.
- Work directly with a VA claims coach who can educate you to VA claim victory.
- 25,000+ disabled veterans have served in our membership programs since 2016.
- 30% average rating increase for veterans who complete our #1-rated Elite program.
- 4.7/5.0 average rating out of 5,500+ total reviews; over 4,500 5-star reviews.
Author
Kelly Olone
Kelly Olone is a military spouse who earned her degree in Psychology from Florida International University. After working in the non-profit sector for several years, she turned to her passion for writing. She aims to contribute to a better understanding of the valuable benefits that veterans deserve. As a mom, Kelly navigates the delicate balance between deadlines and bedtime stories with finesse.
