How to Get a Compartment Syndrome VA Rating: Top 5 Tips!  

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Do you qualify for a compartment syndrome VA rating? Let’s find out.  

In this post we reveal the top five tips for getting the compartment VA rating you rightfully deserve. We’ll also cover VA ratings for compartment syndrome and how to service connect your condition.  

Let’s begin!  

Summary of Key Points

• Veterans may experience compartment syndrome due to physical injuries, complications after surgery, or prolonged pressure on their arm or leg.  

• There is no specific VA rating for compartment syndrome; instead, you’ll be rated depending on your symptoms and condition. 

• Before filing your VA claim, ensure you have a current medical diagnosis, collect relevant medical evidence, and thoroughly complete your VA forms.  

Compartment Syndrome in Veterans

Compartment syndrome is a painful condition that can develop due to a buildup of pressure around your muscles. This can occur after severe injuries, as a complication of surgery, or even slowly over time due to physical activity or exercise.  

You’re more likely to develop compartment syndrome if you’ve had some type of bone fracture, particularly your shin bone (tibia).  

As a veteran, you may develop compartment syndrome due to injuries you experienced while on active duty, such as crash injuries, falling, complications after surgery or prolonged pressure on an arm or leg.  

The two main types of compartment syndrome are: 

• Acute compartment syndrome happens suddenly, like after a severe injury.  

• Chronic compartment syndrome builds up over time, typically due to intense exercise or physical activity.  

Common symptoms of compartment syndrome include, but are not limited to: 

• Numbness 

• Tightness 

• Muscle pain 

• Visible swelling or bulging around your muscle 

• Severe pain when stretching  

Your healthcare provider may recommend various treatment methods including medication, physical therapy, self-care, or surgery.  

How the VA Rates Compartment Syndrome

There is no specific diagnostic code (DC) for compartment syndrome; instead, the VA rates your condition based on your symptoms and which body parts are affected.  

For example, if you have significant muscle damage to your arm due to active duty, you may be rated under DC 5301, § 4.73 Schedule of ratings—muscle injuries. VA ratings for muscle injuries vary from 0% to 50%.  

Your compartment syndrome VA disability rating will depend on the severity of the limitation of range of motion, measured by degrees with a goniometer, and whether it affects your major (dominant) or minor (non-dominant) arm. 

In addition, if your condition affects both sides of your body, you may be eligible for a bilateral compartment syndrome VA rating. 

5 Tips for Filing for a Compartment Syndrome VA Rating

There is no shortcut to filing a VA disability claim, nor is there any way to promise a guaranteed service connection.  

However, the more you know going into your VA claims process, the better the chance for positive results. 

Here are five tips to consider when filing a VA claim for compartment syndrome.  

1. Don’t wait until your symptoms worsen—get your claim in as soon as possible. 

2. Gather all your relevant medical evidence and any documents that help support your claim.  

3. Have a diagnosis or evidence of your disability. (You can still file a VA claim without an official diagnosis, but it will be significantly more challenging to receive a favorable decision.) 

4. Submit an Intent to File Form if you don’t plan on completing your VA claim online. This sets a potential start date (or effective date) for your benefits, and you may be eligible for retroactive payments if approved by the VA.  

5. Fill out all VA forms completely to avoid delays in the claims process.  

Note: The quickest way to file for a VA rating for compartment syndrome is online; however, you can also complete VA Form 21-526EZ and submit it by mail, fax, or in person. 

Proving Service Connection

To receive a compartment syndrome VA disability rating, you must service connect your condition. By service connecting your condition, you’re proving to the VA that your military service caused your condition.  

To prove a service-connected disability, you must provide documentation of the following three things:  

1. A current diagnosis of an identified disability;  

2. An in-service event, injury, or illness that caused or aggravated the disability;  

3. A medical nexus (or link) between the present condition and the incident. (can be a Nexus Letter)

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) also considers secondary service connections if your service-connected disability causes or aggravates an existing condition.  

Secondary Service Connection

To prove VA service connection on a secondary basis, veterans must provide evidence of the following: 

1. A primary VA service-connected disability;  

2. An additional current diagnosis of a non-service-connected disability; and  

3. A medical nexus linking the two conditions. 

See More: 3 Keys to Prove Your Service-Connected Disability  

NEED MORE ASSISTANCE?

Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and, therefore, not getting the compensation they’re due. At VA Claims Insider, we educate you on how to understand and take control of the claims process so you can get the rating and compensation you’re owed by law. 

Our process takes the guesswork out of filing a VA disability claim and supports you every step of the way in building a fully developed claim (FDC)—so you can increase your rating fast! If you’ve filed your VA disability claim and have been denied or have received a low rating—or you’re unsure how to get started—reach out to us!       

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