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Veterans have plenty of questions about VA disability benefits, but clear answers aren’t always easy to find. While we can’t see Google’s exact most searched questions list, this guide is built from the real questions veterans ask every day across Google, VA resources, veteran communities, and trusted support sites.
From eligibility and ratings to appeals and common conditions, here are the top VA disability questions—answered simply and directly.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- Veterans’ most common VA disability questions cover eligibility, ratings, compensation, appeals, and presumptive conditions.
- To qualify, you need a current diagnosis, proof of an in-service event or aggravation, and a medical nexus linking the two.
- The VA uses a rating schedule and combined ratings system (“VA math”) to assign disability percentages and determine compensation.
- If your claim is denied, you have appeal options, including Higher-Level Review, Supplemental Claim, or Board of Veterans Appeals.
21 Common VA Disability Questions—Answered!
Section 1: Eligibility & Definitions
Who is eligible for VA disability benefits?
Eligibility for VA benefits depends on the type of benefit. For example, if you’re a veteran of the U.S. armed forces with an honorable or general (under other than dishonorable) discharge, you may be eligible for VA disability compensation if:
- You have a current illness or injury (condition) that affects your mind or body, and
- You served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.
- And at least ONE of these must be true:
- The condition was caused by or got worse during active service (in-service claim),
- The condition existed before service and was worsened by service (pre-service claim), or
- The condition appeared after service but is related to active duty (post-service claim).
This is what the VA calls a service-connected disability.
Other conditions, called “presumptive conditions,” are assumed to be caused by your military service (often via burn pits, Agent Orange, or other toxic exposure, etc.), and don’t require an in-service event to prove service connection.
What is a service-connected disability?
A service-connected disability is an illness or injury that can be proven to have been caused or made worse by your time in service.
There are 3 main types of service connections, including:
- Direct
- Secondary (a condition that was caused by or aggravated by an already service-connected condition)
- In-service aggravation of a pre-service disability
Are my VA disability benefits taxable?
No, you’re not taxed on your VA disability benefits. For more specific information, see our guide here: Do Veterans Pay Taxes on Their Benefits? The Federal and State Tax Rules You Must Know!
Section 2: How to Apply & What to Expect
How do I apply for VA disability benefits?
To apply for VA disability benefits, you must file a claim for disability compensation. After you’ve determined your eligibility, you can visit VA.gov and file a claim by mail, fax, or in person at a regional VA office.
What is a C&P exam, and how can I prepare?
A C&P (Compensation and Pension) Exam, also called a claim exam, is sometimes requested by the VA if they need more medical information to decide your claim.
A C&P Exam isn’t required with every claim; however, when one is requested, you should promptly comply because it will help determine your VA disability rating.
You don’t need to bring anything to your exam, but if you have any medical records from outside the VA, make sure they are submitted prior to your appointment. As with any other medical exam, show up 15 minutes early and wear comfortable clothing.
For more detailed information, view the VA’s claim exam videos on YouTube.
What is the VA’s duty to assist?
The VA’s duty to assist basically means that the VA is required to make a “reasonable effort” to help you obtain the evidence needed to substantiate your claim.
- For VA, military, and other federal records, “reasonable effort” means the VA will continue to make a request until it’s successful (or they don’t think the files exist).
- For private medical records, ‘reasonable effort’ means VA will make at least one follow-up attempt, and if the records still can’t be obtained, VA must notify you and give you the chance to provide them yourself.
A duty-to-assist error occurs when VA fails to make the required reasonable efforts to obtain evidence or provide assistance, and that failure affects the outcome of your claim.
Section 3: VA Ratings & Compensation
How does the VA assign disability ratings?
The VA uses a rating schedule to assign disability ratings.
The VA rating schedule provides a framework for evaluating average impairment in earning capacity caused by a service-connected condition. The schedule breaks down each diagnosis by percentages (0%-100%); percentage intervals and minimums/maximums vary by diagnosis.
Because each percentage level can represent a significant difference in VA compensation, it’s crucial to provide clear and thorough medical and military records with your claim, as it will impact the determined level of your disability.
Related: The VASRD: How VA Disability Ratings Actually Work!
What’s a combined VA rating (and how is it calculated)?
A combined rating is when you’re rated for more than one condition. However, it’s not as simple as just adding together your ratings — the VA uses a combined ratings table, which applies your conditions in order of severity, starting with the most disabling and then combining the others in turn.
Let’s say you’ve got a 50% rating for a back injury, and 40% for your bad knees (spoiler: it doesn’t equal a 90% disability rating).
With 100 representing a whole person (without disability), the VA first subtracts your largest rating:
- 50% of 100 is 50%
Then the VA will subtract 40% of the remaining 50%:
- 40% of 50 is 20%
Then we add those percentages together, leaving you with a combined 70% disability rating. It’s VA math.
What does “effective date” mean — and why is it vital for back pay?
An effective date is the date that your VA benefits become effective. It’s vital for back pay because if your claim is approved, the VA will pay out benefits retroactively to your effective date.
Submitting an intent to file with the VA sets a potential effective date for your benefits.
Section 4: Common Conditions & Claims
What are the 10 most common VA disability conditions?
According to the Veterans Benefit Administration, the following are the most prevalent service-connected disabilities of all compensation recipients:
| Tinnitus | 3,255,323 |
| Limitation of flexion, knee | 2,069,942 |
| Paralysis of the sciatic nerve | 1,745,314 |
| Lumbosacral or cervical strain | 1,611,188 |
| Hearing loss | 1,594,271 |
| Post-traumatic stress disorder | 1,589,833 |
| Limitation of motion of the arm | 1,200,103 |
| Limitation of motion of the ankle | 1,142,492 |
| Scars, burns (2nd degree) | 1,125,720 |
| Migraine | 1,109,254 |
| Total number of most prevalent disabilities | 16,443,440 |
| Total number of disabilities | 41,665,572 |
Section 5: Appeals, Denials & Next Steps
What if my VA claim is denied?
If your VA claim is denied or you disagree with the VA’s findings, you can file an appeal.
Related: Use This Decision Tree to Appeal a VA Disability Claim Denial!
What are my VA claim appeal options?
- Higher-Level Review (HLR): You have one year to file an HLR if you don’t agree with your VA claim decision. This appeal is a request for a higher-level reviewer to look at your claim, identify any errors, and either affirm the decision or provide a different opinion. No additional evidence is submitted in this type of appeal.
- Supplemental Claim: You can appeal a decision by the VA through a Supplemental Claim. For this appeal, you’ll need to provide new and relevant evidence that supports your claim. This type of appeal also applies when laws change (i.e., PACT Act).
- Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA): Appealing to the Board means that your case will be reviewed by a judge who is an expert in veteran law. You can request this appeal after an initial claim, a Supplemental Claim, or an HLR. There are three types of board appeals that vary in length and requirements.
More information: Request a Higher-Level Review, File a Supplemental Claim online, Request a Board Appeal online
What is the VA’s reasonable doubt rule (“tie goes to the veteran”)?
The reasonable doubt rule, also called the reasonable doubt doctrine, benefit of the doubt rule, or the benefit of the doubt doctrine, is an important part of VA law. The rule establishes that if there is equal evidence for and against a claim, the VA must rule in favor of the veteran.
It serves as a legal safeguard to ensure that veterans are not unfairly denied benefits due to uncertainties in their medical or service-related evidence.
Section 6: Other Top Veteran Questions
Can I work and still get my VA disability?
Heck yeah, you can! If you’re receiving standard disability benefits, you’re not limited in your employment options. However, if you receive Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), there are strict limitations to the amount of additional income you can earn. TDIU compensates 100% disability based on your condition’s impact on your ability to work.
Do I need VA treatment records to file?
No, you can submit private medical records when filing a VA disability claim, but you do need to establish a clear connection between your condition and your service. The VA requires evidence of a current diagnosed condition, an in-service event or injury, and a medical link (nexus) between the two.
Can Reservists or Guard members qualify for VA disability?
Yes. If you have served on active duty in the United States military, you are a veteran and eligible for VA disability benefits.
What is TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability)?
TDIU compensates you at the 100% VA disability rate even if your condition isn’t rated at 100% because your service-connected disabilities prevent you from maintaining substantial gainful employment.
What are presumptive conditions, and how can they help increase your VA rating?
Presumptive conditions are disabilities or illnesses that the VA assumes are connected to your service based on when and where you served. Some examples include conditions related to burn pit exposure or Agent Orange. VA presumptive conditions don’t require direct evidence of an in-service event, injury, or illness.
Related:
VA Presumptive List: 200+ Conditions Eligible for Presumptive Service Connection
Burn Pit Presumptive Conditions List
50+ Agent Orange Presumptive Conditions List
Additional FAQs
Can I get VA disability for conditions diagnosed years after service?
Yes—as long as you can establish a nexus (medical link) between your current condition and your military service.
Can VA disability benefits be passed on to family members?
Not directly, but eligible dependents (spouses, children, and in some cases parents) may qualify for benefits such as Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if the veteran dies from a service-connected condition.
How long does it take the VA to decide a disability claim?
As of August 2025, it takes 94.8 days to complete disability-related claims. Historically, it takes between 110–150 days, but the timeline can vary depending on the complexity of your claim, how much evidence is needed, and whether additional exams are required.
Conclusion
Navigating the VA disability system can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone—and you’re not the first to face these challenges. The questions in this guide are the very ones veterans ask every day, and the answers are grounded in real VA rules, veteran experiences, and trusted resources.
The key is to remember three things:
- Eligibility depends on clear evidence of service connection.
- Your VA rating directly impacts your compensation, so details matter.
- If you’re denied, you always have options for appeal.
Getting clear, accurate information is the first step toward securing the benefits you’ve earned. Stay persistent, lean on credible resources like VA.gov, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support when you need it. You served your country—you deserve straight answers and fair compensation in return.
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Author – Katie McCarthy
Katie McCarthy is a writer and editor with experience in daily news and digital and print magazine publishing. She honed her editorial (and firearms) skills at Guns & Ammo before helping launch Black Rifle Coffee Company’s Coffee or Die Magazine as the managing editor. She holds degrees in English (BA) and public administration (MPA). Katie is a military spouse and word nerd who enjoys reading, hiking, camping, gardening, and spending time with her family.
