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Here’s the truth: While some VA claims are easier to win than others, none are ever 100% guaranteed.
Why?
Because every VA claim is decided on the specific facts, evidence, and law tied to that veteran’s case.
Approval can depend on your eligibility, discharge status, service history, diagnosis, severity of symptoms, medical evidence, and how clearly you can prove service connection.
Even strong claims can still get denied.
- The VA can miss key evidence or make mistakes.
- A C&P examiner can provide a flawed or unfavorable opinion (bad C&P exam).
- Private medical evidence can be improperly discounted.
- And weak, inconsistent, or incomplete evidence can derail an otherwise strong claim.
However, some VA claims are generally easier to get approved.
Claims with the highest approval potential are usually backed by favorable laws, clear in-service evidence, presumptive service connection, or strong medical proof.
That includes many PACT Act presumptive conditions, chronic conditions diagnosed during service, and well-supported secondary claims.
In this guide, VA disability expert Brian Reese explains which VA claims are often the easiest to get approved, why they succeed, and how to improve your chances of winning faster.
Summary of Key Points
- No VA disability claim is ever truly guaranteed. Every VA claim is decided on the unique facts, evidence, and law tied to that veteran’s case. Even strong claims can be denied due to VA mistakes, bad C&P exams, improperly discounted private medical evidence, or weak and incomplete documentation.
- Some VA claims are easier to win than others. Claims with the highest approval potential are usually backed by favorable laws, presumptive service connection, clear in-service evidence, or strong medical proof. Common examples include presumptive conditions, mental health conditions, musculoskeletal conditions, secondary claims, tinnitus, migraines, radiculopathy, IBS, sexual dysfunction, and foot conditions.
- Medical evidence is one of the biggest keys to winning. At a minimum, veterans need a current diagnosis and medical records that clearly document the condition, severity of symptoms, and connection to service or to another service-connected disability. Strong evidence can make the difference between an approval and a denial.
- Understanding how the VA rates conditions can help you maximize benefits. The VA uses Diagnostic Codes under 38 CFR Part 4 to assign ratings based on the severity of symptoms and functional impairment. Knowing the rules, rating criteria, and strategy behind your claim can help you build a stronger case and pursue the highest rating you deserve.
Table of Contents
10 VA Claims That Are Easier to Get Approved (Not Guaranteed)
1. Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the perception of sound, such as ringing, buzzing, or clicking, without an external auditory source. It often results from damage to the hair cells in the inner ear, which send false signals to the brain. Common causes include exposure to loud noise, aging, and certain medications.
Common Symptoms: Ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears; difficulty concentrating; sensitivity to sound; trouble sleeping.
VA Ratings: The VA rates Tinnitus under CFR Title 38, Part 4, the Schedule for Rating Disabilities, Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260, Tinnitus, Recurrent at 10%. There is no higher, lower, or bilateral rating for Tinnitus. Related: Top 5 Tips to Get a VA Rating for Tinnitus
Pro Tip: Huge changes could be coming to VA ratings for tinnitus in 2026. Tinnitus will no longer be rated as a standalone condition under Diagnostic Code 6260; instead, it will be considered a symptom of an underlying condition, such as hearing loss, Meniere’s disease, or TBI. This change means veterans won’t be eligible for a separate 10% rating for tinnitus alone. However, veterans can still service-connect secondary conditions related to tinnitus for VA disability benefits.
2. Mental Health Conditions
Mental health conditions in veterans, such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, are often linked to the psychological impact of trauma during military service. PTSD results from exposure to life-threatening events, while depression and anxiety can stem from prolonged stress or loss.
Common Symptoms: Flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, emotional numbness, hypervigilance, mood swings, and social withdrawal.
VA Ratings: The VA rates mental health conditions under CFR Title 38, Part 4, the Schedule for Rating Disabilities, using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders from 0% to 100% with breaks at 10%, 30%, 50%, and 70%. The average VA rating for mental health is 50% while the most common VA rating for mental health is 70%.
Pro Tip: Big changes could be coming to VA mental health ratings in 2026. The VA is revising its criteria to better reflect how mental health disabilities impact veterans’ ability to work, aiming for fairer compensation. These updates should make it easier for veterans to secure higher ratings, with less strict requirements for 70% and 100% levels, a guaranteed minimum 10% rating for any diagnosed condition, and the removal of the 0% rating—a major win for veterans.
3. Presumptive Conditions
Presumptive conditions are illnesses the VA assumes are service-connected due to specific exposures, such as Agent Orange or burn pits, or specific locations and times of military service. Examples include Parkinson’s disease, ischemic heart disease, and some cancers. There are over 300 presumptive conditions eligible for VA disability benefits.
Common Symptoms: Vary depending on the condition but may include fatigue, respiratory distress, neurological issues, or cardiovascular symptoms.
VA Ratings: The VA rates presumptive conditions under CFR Title 38, Part 4, the Schedule for Rating Disabilities using numerous Diagnostic Codes (DCs) with ratings from 0% to 100%, depending on the condition name and its severity of symptoms.
Pro Tip: Presumptive VA claims are easier to win because they don’t require proving a “nexus” (link) to your military service. A presumptive disability is automatically considered service-connected by the VA if you served in a qualifying location during a specific time period and later developed a related condition. Simply provide your DD 214 showing service in the eligible location during the required timeframe and evidence of your qualifying condition, and the VA will grant automatic service connection.
4. Secondary Conditions
Secondary service connection occurs when a current service-connected condition causes or aggravates a new condition that isn’t already service-connected.
There are over 100 common secondary VA claims eligible for VA disability benefits.
Here’s a list of the 10 easiest secondary VA disability claims to win.
Examples Include:
Sleep Apnea Secondary to PTSD: PTSD often causes chronic anxiety, stress, and poor sleep patterns, which can lead to sleep apnea. Medications prescribed for PTSD may also cause weight gain, a significant risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea.
Radiculopathy Secondary to Back Pain: Chronic back pain can compress or irritate spinal nerves, leading to radiculopathy, which causes pain, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs. This condition, commonly called sciatica, is often a direct result of unresolved back issues.
Anxiety and Depression Secondary to Tinnitus: The constant ringing or buzzing in the ears from tinnitus can lead to frustration, sleep disturbances, and social isolation, contributing to anxiety or depression. Over time, the emotional toll of managing tinnitus can worsen mental health challenges.
Migraines Secondary to Tinnitus: The stress and sensory overload caused by chronic tinnitus can trigger or aggravate migraine headaches. This link is particularly common in veterans who experience tinnitus as a result of noise exposure during service.
Common Symptoms: Secondary conditions vary based on the condition, but common symptoms include chronic pain, mobility issues, sleep disturbances, or mental health impairments. For instance, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD might present with excessive fatigue, snoring, or interrupted breathing during sleep.
VA Ratings: The VA rates secondary conditions under CFR Title 38, Part 4, the Schedule for Rating Disabilities, using numerous Diagnostic Codes (DCs), with ratings from 0% to 100%, depending on the condition name and its severity of symptoms.
Pro Tip: Building a strong case for your secondary VA claim often means getting a Nexus Letter for a secondary condition from a qualified private medical professional to link the two conditions clearly. A Nexus Letter with high probative value can literally be the difference between an approval and a denial!
5. Musculoskeletal Conditions
These conditions affect bones, joints, muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Examples include joint disorders, fractures, and chronic pain due to physical wear and tear or injuries during military service.
Common Symptoms: Pain, swelling, stiffness, weakness, reduced mobility, and joint instability.
VA Ratings: The VA rates musculoskeletal conditions under CFR Title 38, Part 4, the Schedule for Rating Disabilities, using numerous Diagnostic Codes (DCs), with ratings from 0% to 100%, depending on the condition name and its severity of symptoms.
Pro Tip: The VA Painful Motion Rule ensures veterans receive proper compensation for pain experienced during movement of musculoskeletal conditions, even without measurable range of motion (ROM) limitations. If you have any pain during motion, the VA must: (#1) consider it when determining your disability rating and (#2) award at least the minimum compensable rating for the affected joint or condition, regardless of the extent of motion limitation.
6. Migraines (Headaches)
Migraines are a type of severe headache that often includes neurological symptoms. They can be triggered by stress, physical injuries, or environmental factors. Migraines may have vascular or nerve-related origins.
Common Symptoms: Intense headaches, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual disturbances (aura).
VA Ratings: The VA rates Migraines (headaches) under CFR Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities, DC 8100, Migraines from 0% to 50%, depending on the severity of symptoms and functional loss. Related: VA Rating for Migraine Headaches Explained
Pro Tip: The word “Prostrating” can literally make or break your VA rating for migraines (headaches). It’s crucial because the 30% and 50% rating criteria specifically refer to the frequency and severity of “prostrating” headaches. According to Dictionary.com, “prostrating” means “to lay oneself flat on the ground face downward, especially in reverence or submission.” In the VA context, it refers to extreme physical weakness, fatigue, distress, exhaustion, or illness. For example, it can mean “reducing someone to extreme physical weakness.”
7. Erectile Dysfunction (ED) & Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
ED in men and FSAD in women are conditions where achieving or maintaining sexual function is impaired. These can be caused by physical injury, psychological factors, or side effects of medication.
Common Symptoms: For ED: Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection. For FSAD: Lack of lubrication, inability to become aroused, or pain during intercourse.
VA Ratings: The VA rates Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD) at 0% service-connected; however, veterans qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC-K) for loss of use of a creative organ, which entitles them to additional compensation of $139.87 per month in 2026. See your 2026 VA SMC pay rates.
Pro Tip: Mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder are linked to higher rates of sexual dysfunction, including ED and FSAD. These issues can result from the conditions themselves or side effects of medications like antidepressants. Veterans experiencing sexual dysfunction due to a mental health condition may qualify for secondary service connection. Make sure you get a strong Nexus Letter for a secondary condition to go along with your ED or FSAD VA claim.
8. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder with unclear pathology, often associated with stress or infections. It is linked to abnormal gut motility and heightened sensitivity.
Common Symptoms: Abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and urgent bowel movements.
VA Ratings: The VA rates Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) under CFR Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities, DC 7319, IBS from 10% to 30%, depending on the severity of symptoms. Related: IBS VA Rating Explained
Pro Tip: There is no longer a prohibition against pyramiding for assigning separate VA ratings for IBS and GERD. Why? Because GERD and IBS are very different conditions. For example, GERD primarily affects the esophagus and stomach, while IBS affects the intestines. GERD symptoms are mostly related to acid reflux and esophageal irritation, including difficulty swallowing. IBS symptoms are related to bowel habits and abdominal discomfort. As long as symptoms don’t pyramid in accordance with 38 CFR 4.14, you can get rated separately for both IBS and GERD.
9. Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy is a nerve condition caused by compression, inflammation, or injury to a spinal nerve root. It commonly occurs due to herniated discs or spinal stenosis.
Common Symptoms: Radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness, often affecting the arms or legs, depending on the location of the nerve involvement.
VA Ratings: The VA rates Radiculopathy most often under CFR 38, Part 4, VA Schedule of Ratings, Diagnostic Codes 8510, 8610, and 8710 for the upper and middle radicular groups, from 0% to 90% depending on the severity of symptoms. Related: VA Disability Rating for Radiculopathy Explained
Pro Tip: Back conditions like lumbosacral strain, spinal stenosis, or vertebral fractures often lead to radiculopathy—pain caused by pinched or damaged nerve roots. Radiculopathy is commonly rated as a secondary VA disability due to service-connected back conditions. You can receive ratings for both the back condition and radiculopathy. Make sure you get a strong Nexus Letter for a secondary condition to help service-connect radiculopathy secondary to your back condition.
10. Foot Conditions (Plantar Fasciitis and Flat Feet / Pes Planus)
Foot conditions are common among veterans and can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and functional limitations. Two of the most common are plantar fasciitis, which involves inflammation of the plantar fascia running along the bottom of the foot, and flat feet (pes planus), which occurs when the arches collapse and place extra stress on the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and back.
Common Symptoms: Heel pain, arch pain, stiffness, pain that’s worse in the morning or after rest, swelling, ankle instability, difficulty standing or walking for long periods, and uneven shoe wear.
VA Ratings: The VA rates plantar fasciitis under Diagnostic Code 5269, with ratings generally ranging from 10% to 30% depending on severity. Flat feet (pes planus) are rated under Diagnostic Code 5276, with ratings ranging from 0% to 50%, depending on whether the condition is unilateral or bilateral and how severe the symptoms and functional loss are.
Pro Tip: Veterans diagnosed with plantar fasciitis or flat feet after service may still qualify for VA disability benefits if the evidence shows the condition was caused or aggravated by service or by another service-connected disability, such as knee pain, hip problems, ankle instability, or back issues. If you have both plantar fasciitis and pes planus, make sure both are documented and claimed, since the VA may assign the higher evaluation when your symptoms more closely match one rating criteria over the other.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
Are any VA disability claims guaranteed to be approved?
No. There is no such thing as a truly guaranteed VA disability claim. Every claim is decided based on the specific facts, evidence, and law tied to that veteran’s case. Even strong claims can be denied if the VA finds the evidence is not persuasive enough, if a medical opinion is unfavorable, or if the file does not clearly establish service connection.
What VA disability claims are usually the easiest to get approved?
In general, the easiest VA claims to get approved are the ones with the fewest legal hurdles. That often means tinnitus and mental health claims, presumptive conditions, conditions clearly documented during service, and secondary claims supported by strong medical evidence. These types of claims are often easier because the law may already favor the veteran or the evidence makes the connection to service much easier to prove.
Why do strong VA claims still get denied?
Because strong does not always mean complete. A claim can still be denied if the VA overlooks favorable evidence, relies on a flawed or unfavorable C&P exam, discounts private medical evidence, or decides one of the required elements of service connection has not been proven. A lot of veterans have strong claims on paper, but the evidence still must clearly satisfy the law.
What are the three most important things you need to prove a VA disability claim?
For most direct service connection claims, the three biggest pieces are: a current diagnosis, evidence of an in-service event, injury, illness, or aggravation, and a nexus linking the current condition to military service. If the VA believes even one of those elements is missing, the claim can be denied.
Are presumptive VA disability claims easier to win?
Yes, usually. Presumptive claims are often easier because the VA automatically assumes service connection if you meet the legal requirements for the presumption. That means you typically do not have to prove a separate nexus. You still need evidence of the diagnosis and proof that you served in the qualifying location during the required time period.
Do I need medical evidence to win a VA claim?
With the exception of some tinnitus claims, yes, you generally need medical evidence to win a VA disability claim. At a minimum, the VA usually needs evidence showing you actually have a current diagnosed condition. Strong medical evidence can also help prove the severity of your symptoms, how long the condition has existed, the level of functional impairment, and the link to military service or to another service-connected disability. Without solid medical evidence, winning your claim becomes much more difficult.
Can lay evidence help win a VA disability claim?
Yes. Lay evidence can be very powerful, especially when it describes symptoms, onset, frequency, severity, and how the condition affects your daily life and ability to work. Your personal statement, spouse statement, buddy letter, or caregiver letter can all help support the claim. That said, lay evidence is usually strongest when it supports good medical evidence rather than trying to replace it.
Can a Nexus Letter help me win my VA claim?
Absolutely. A strong Nexus Letter can be one of the most important pieces of evidence in your file, especially for secondary claims, conditions diagnosed after service, or claims facing a bad C&P exam. The key is quality. A good Nexus Letter should clearly explain the medical reasoning and connect the dots using the right legal standard.
What happens if I get a bad C&P exam?
A bad C&P exam can hurt your claim, but it does not automatically mean you lose. If the exam is inaccurate, incomplete, or unsupported, you can challenge it with better evidence, point out the errors, submit a private medical opinion, or pursue the right type of appeal. A lot of veterans win after denial when they directly attack the weak points in the VA’s decision.
Are secondary VA claims easier to get approved?
They can be, especially when the primary condition is already service-connected and the medical relationship is clear. Secondary claims are often easier to win when strong medical evidence shows that one service-connected condition caused or aggravated another condition. Common examples include radiculopathy secondary to back pain, migraines secondary to tinnitus, and depression secondary to chronic pain.
What is the hardest part of winning a VA disability claim?
For many veterans, the hardest part is proving the nexus. A diagnosis alone is not enough. The VA needs enough evidence to connect your current condition to military service or to an already service-connected disability. That is where many claims break down, especially when the condition was diagnosed years after separation or when the C&P examiner gives a negative opinion.
Can the VA deny my claim even if I submitted medical evidence?
Yes. The issue is not just whether you submitted evidence. The issue is whether the VA finds it persuasive, competent, credible, and strong enough to satisfy the legal standard. That is why a claim can still be denied even with medical records in the file. For example, the VA may say the records do not show a diagnosis, do not clearly link the condition to service, or do not prove the level of severity needed for a higher rating.
What makes a VA disability claim strong?
A strong VA claim is usually simple, consistent, and well-supported. That means a current diagnosis, the right theory of service connection, relevant service records, credible lay evidence, strong medical records, and, when needed, a high-quality Nexus Letter. The strongest claims are the ones where the evidence tells one clear story and the law supports that story.
Do I need a diagnosis before filing a VA claim?
In most cases, yes, you need a current diagnosis or clear medical evidence identifying the condition. Filing without a diagnosis can make the claim much harder because the VA first has to determine what condition you actually have before it can address service connection and rating. If your symptoms are real but the diagnosis is unclear, getting evaluated can significantly strengthen your claim.
What is the most important evidence in a VA disability claim?
If I had to pick one category, it would be medical evidence that clearly explains the diagnosis, severity of symptoms, and connection to service. That is often what wins or loses the case. But the strongest claims usually combine solid medical evidence with credible lay statements, relevant service records, and a clear legal strategy.
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Quality Assurance Team
The Quality Assurance (QA) team at VA Claims Insider has extensive experience researching, fact-checking, and ensuring accuracy in all produced content. The QA team consists of individuals with specialized knowledge in the VA disability claims adjudication processes, laws and regulations, and they understand the needs of our target audience. Any changes or suggestions the QA team makes are thoroughly reviewed and incorporated into the content by our writers and creators.
About The Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
