As a veteran, you could be entitled to VA disability benefits if you have developed a neurological disorder as a result of your military service. Neurological disorders can be debilitating and can impact your quality of life. Here’s how the VA rates neurological disorders and how to file a claim for VA disability for neurological disorders.
Understanding Neurological Disorders in Veterans
Many veterans experience neurological disorders related to their military service:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Migraine headaches
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Radiculopathy
- Nerve damage
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Sciatic nerve damage
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Spinal cord injury
- Epilepsy
Veterans who served in certain locations during specific time periods may also be at higher risk for developing certain neurological disorders due to exposure to Agent Orange. This includes veterans who served in Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Johnston Atoll, Guam, or American Samoa at different times.
How the VA Rates Neurological Disorders
The VA rates neurological disorders under the 38 CFR 4.124a Schedule of ratings—neurological conditions and convulsive disorders. Your rating will depend on the type of neurological disorder you have and the severity of your symptoms.
If you are a retired service member who requires continuous medication due to a service-connected condition, you might be eligible for a higher rating than someone with a less severe condition. The VA also considers most nerve-related conditions to be chronic, presumptive conditions since they are considered organic nervous system diseases.
Proving Service Connection for Neurological Disorders
To receive VA disability benefits for a neurological disorder, you must be able to prove that your condition is connected to your military service through the following criteria:
- A current diagnosis of a specific neurological disorder
- An in-service event, injury, illness, or aggravation
- A medical nexus (or link) between the current diagnosis and the in-service event, injury, or illness
When filing a VA claim, it is important to specify the connection between your current neurological disorder and your military service. You should use VA Form 21-526EZ for disability compensation claims and provide comprehensive details about your symptoms, medical treatments, and the impact on your daily life.
VA Disability Ratings and Compensation for Neurological Disorders
VA disability ratings for neurological disorders can range from 0% to 100%, depending on the severity and frequency of your symptoms. Your rating will determine the amount of tax-free monthly compensation you receive.
For example, as of 2024, a veteran with a 10% disability rating and no dependents would receive $171.23 per month, while a veteran with a 100% disability rating and no dependents would receive $3,737.85 per month.
Additional Benefits for Veterans with Neurological Disorders
- Healthcare benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation and employment services
- Specially adapted housing grants
- Automobile allowance
- Adaptive equipment
- Aid and attendance or housebound benefits
If your service-connected neurological disorders prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may also be eligible for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU). This would provide you with a rate equivalent to a 100% VA disability rating.
Common Risk Factors for Neurological Disorders in Veterans
Several factors related to military service can increase a veteran’s risk of developing a neurological disorder:
- Toxic exposure: Exposure to harmful substances such as Agent Orange, burn pits, or other chemicals during military service.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI): Significant trauma to the head from an object or nearby blast.
- Gulf War Syndrome: A cluster of medically unexplained chronic symptoms that can affect veterans who served in the Gulf War.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A mental health condition that can develop after experiencing a traumatic event, such as combat or sexual assault during military service.
Agent Orange and Neurological Disorders
Veterans exposed to Agent Orange during their service may be at a higher risk for certain neurological disorders. The VA recognizes the following conditions for Agent Orange exposure:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Early-onset peripheral neuropathy
Get in Touch with Benefits Claim to File VA Disability for Neurological Disorders or Get Help with Your Claim
If you are a veteran suffering from a neurological disorder and believe it may be connected to your military service, you should get help with filing a VA disability claim. The team at Benefits Claim can help you with the complex VA disability claims process and make sure that you receive the benefits you deserve.
Contact Benefits Claim to schedule a free VA Claim Discovery Call and learn more about how we can assist you with your neurological disorder VA disability claim.
