Looking for Expert-Level VA Claim Help?📱Call Us Now! 737-295-2226
Do you have difficulty sleeping and struggle with back pain? There’s a VA rating for that!
Many veterans experience sleep disorders and back pain because of their military service. Fortunately, the VA acknowledges this and provides appropriate ratings for those who qualify.
In this guide, we will cover:
- How to obtain a VA rating for insomnia secondary to back pain
- How to establish a secondary service connection
- The fastest way to file a VA claim and much more!
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- The VA rates insomnia secondary to back pain under the Schedule of Ratings for Mental Disorders at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%.
- Your VA disability rating for insomnia secondary to back pain will depend on the severity of your symptoms, including the level of social and occupational impairment.
- The quickest way to file a claim for a VA insomnia rating is online, but you can also mail, fax, or submit your application in person.
The Link Between Insomnia and Back Pain
Many veterans suffer from back pain due to heavy lifting, jumping, and rapid movements during active duty, which can lead to significant health issues.
A 2013 study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery found that 47% of participants with chronic back pain also experienced insomnia. This underscores the importance of effectively managing chronic back pain to reduce the risk of complications such as insomnia.
Back pain disrupts sleep by making it hard to find a comfortable position, leading to frequent awakenings and increased stress and anxiety.
Additionally, it interferes with the body’s natural circadian rhythm and elevates stress hormones, further disrupting restorative sleep. This cycle of pain and poor sleep intensifies overall health challenges, making prompt intervention crucial.
How the VA Rates Insomnia Secondary to Back Pain
The VA rates insomnia secondary to back pain as a mental health condition under the Schedule of Ratings for Mental Disorders (38 CFR § 4.130) with disability ratings of 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%.
The VA recognizes insomnia as a mental health condition because it often stems from or is exacerbated by other mental health disorders such as stress, anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
However, insomnia can also occur as an independent condition or as a symptom of another disability due to coexisting medical or neurological conditions, such as chronic pain or sleep disorders.
Your VA rating for insomnia secondary to back pain depends on the severity of your symptoms, as well as how they affect your daily life.
VA Rating Chart for Insomnia
| General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders | VA Rating |
| Total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms as: gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others; intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living (including maintenance of minimal personal hygiene); disorientation to time or place; memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name. | 100% |
| Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, obscure, or irrelevant; near-continuous panic or depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively; impaired impulse control (such as unprovoked irritability with periods of violence); spatial disorientation; neglect of personal appearance and hygiene; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a worklike setting); inability to establish and maintain effective relationships. | 70% |
| Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to such symptoms as: flattened affect; circumstantial, circumlocutory, or stereotyped speech; panic attacks more than once a week; difficulty in understanding complex commands; impairment of short- and long-term memory (e.g., retention of only highly learned material, forgetting to complete tasks); impaired judgment; impaired abstract thinking; disturbances of motivation and mood; difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. | 50% |
| Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks (although generally functioning satisfactorily, with routine behavior, self-care, and conversation normal), due to such symptoms as: depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, panic attacks (weekly or less often), chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss (such as forgetting names, directions, recent events). | 30% |
| Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication. | 10% |
| A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication. | 0% |
How to Prove Secondary Service Connection
To establish a service connection for a secondary condition and qualify for VA disability benefits, you must meet the following three key elements:
#1. Current Medical Diagnosis of Insomnia: You need a current diagnosis of insomnia in your medical records, whether from VA healthcare providers or private physicians.
#2. Existing Service-Connected Back Pain: You must already have your back pain recognized by the VA as a service-connected disability.
#3. Medical Nexus Evidence Between the Two Conditions: You must connect your secondary condition (insomnia) to your primary service-connected condition (back pain).
Nexus Letter for Insomnia Secondary to Back Pain
The VA doesn’t require nexus letters, but they are highly recommended for secondary conditions.
A strong nexus letter with high probative value from a licensed healthcare provider can significantly support your VA disability claim.
A nexus letter with high-probative value should include:
- The physician’s credentials, particularly ones that make them a trustworthy source for the following opinion.
- A reference indicating that the physician composing the letter has thoroughly reviewed the veteran’s medical records and military records that pertain to the claim.
- The physician’s opinion regarding the cause of the current diagnosed condition and its relation to the veteran’s military service.
- Medical rationale that fully supports the physician’s opinion.
Related: Example of a Nexus Letter
Need a Nexus Letter for Your Secondary VA Claim?
Trying to get a high-quality Nexus Letter to service-connect your insomnia secondary to back pain?
WE GOT YOUR SIX!
Veterans who become members of the VA Claims Insider Elite program can get access to our preferred provider network who can potentially write VA Nexus Letters at reduced rates.
Why pay $1,500 to $2,000 for a Nexus Letter when you can get one for 60-70% off?
Click HERE to book a date and time to speak with a VA claim expert (no-obligation, no high-pressure sales tactics) or call us right now at: 737-295-2226.
How to File for VA Disability Benefits
The easiest way to file a VA claim is online, but you can also download and complete VA Form 21-526EZ and submit it in one of the following ways:
- By mail
- Via fax
- In person at a local VA regional center
If you have any of the following relevant items, you should submit them with your VA claim:
- Discharge or separation papers (DD-214 or equivalent).
- Service treatment records and supporting statements.
- Private medical provider records and hospital reports.
Eligibility for VA disability benefits
(FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a VA rating for insomnia secondary to back pain?
Yes! Back pain and insomnia frequently go hand in hand because extreme back pain makes it difficult to fall and stay asleep, leading to insomnia.
The VA rates insomnia secondary to back pain at 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100%, depending on the severity of your symptoms, including the impact it has on your daily life.
What’s the highest VA rating for insomnia secondary to back pain?
The highest VA rating for insomnia secondary to back is 100%.
How can I get a VA disability rating for insomnia?
You can get a VA disability rating for insomnia as a direct service connection or a secondary service connection.
Can I get VA disability compensation for chronic insomnia?
Yes, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits for chronic insomnia if you can prove your military service caused your condition.
What’s the difference between insomnia and sleep apnea?
Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep, often caused by stress, anxiety, or poor sleep habits. Sleep apnea, on the other hand, involves interrupted breathing during sleep due to airway blockages or brain signaling issues. It often leads to snoring and daytime fatigue.
Can I get TDIU for insomnia secondary to back pain?
Yes, you may qualify for total disability individual unemployability (TDIU) if you can’t maintain substantially gainful employment due to a service-connected disability.
If you qualify for TDIU, you’ll receive a 100% VA rating, even if your combined VA disability rating is less than 100%.
You may also benefit from our post: VA TDIU Approval Rate
Related Posts
How to Secure an Insomnia VA Rating
3 Ways to Get a VA Rating for Insomnia
Did My Military Service Cause My Insomnia?
Secondary Conditions to Lower Back Pain
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 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.
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.
