Condition Guides
Plain-language overviews of common claims, evidence that may be relevant, possible secondary-condition questions, and C&P exam preparation.
Guides
Find Your Condition
Each guide covers common symptoms, claim steps, possible secondary-condition questions, C&P exam tips, and resources. These are educational starting points, not medical diagnoses or eligibility findings.
Mental Health
PTSD, MST, anxiety, depression, and related conditions
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
PTSD affects veterans from different service eras and experiences, and prevalence estimates vary by population and study. Combat is one possible source of trauma, but it is not the only one.
PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. A VA disability claim does not require a combat deployment, but it does require evidence supporting a current disability, an in-service stressor under the applicable rules, and a connection between them. VA evaluates service-connected mental health conditions under its rating criteria using the full record.
Content note: This section discusses sexual trauma. Read at your own pace. If you need support, call the Veterans Crisis Line (988, press 1) or the DoD Safe Helpline (opens in new tab).
MST (Military Sexual Trauma)
MST is more common than many realize. The VA reports that about 1 in 3 women and 1 in 50 men experienced MST during their service. These numbers may underrepresent actual rates due to unreported incidents.
Military Sexual Trauma (MST) refers to sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that occurred during military service. A prior report is not required, and VA may consider alternative evidence of personal assault, often called markers. MST is an experience rather than a diagnosis; VA decides service connection for the diagnosed condition claimed and the evidence in that individual record.
Physical / Musculoskeletal
Joint pain, back injuries, TBI, and chronic pain
TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)
TBI has affected service members across eras through blasts, vehicle crashes, falls, training incidents, and other events. A service event alone does not establish a current TBI disability; diagnosis and residuals depend on the individual medical record.
Traumatic Brain Injury can result from a blow, jolt, or penetrating injury to the head. TBI can range from mild to severe. VA evaluates established TBI residuals using multiple facets of impairment and applicable rules for separately diagnosed conditions, while avoiding evaluation of the same manifestation more than once.
Joint Pain & Musculoskeletal Conditions
Musculoskeletal conditions are common among VA disability claims. Carrying heavy gear, repetitive training, falls, and other service events can affect the back, knees, shoulders, and other joints, but VA decides each claimed condition from the individual record.
Joint and musculoskeletal conditions can involve the lumbar or cervical spine, knees, shoulders, ankles, feet, or hips. VA applies the criteria for each established condition and may consider motion, pain, instability, flare-ups, and functional impairment. Its combined-rating calculation may include the bilateral factor when the regulatory requirements for paired extremities are met.
Hearing & Sensory
Hearing loss, tinnitus, and related conditions
Hearing Loss & Tinnitus
Tinnitus and hearing loss are common subjects of VA disability claims. Military duties can involve hazardous noise from weapons, engines, aircraft, machinery, and explosions, but VA evaluates exposure, diagnosis, onset, and other possible causes in each record.
Military service exposes you to hazardous noise levels from weapons fire, aircraft, vehicles, machinery, and explosions. Hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears) are often claimed together. Tinnitus is typically rated at 10% (the maximum schedular rating). Hearing loss is rated based on audiometric testing results. Even if your hearing test at discharge was "normal," you can still file — hearing damage from noise exposure can worsen over time.
Document each condition accurately
A condition may be claimed as secondary only when competent evidence shows that an already service-connected disability caused or aggravated it. A diagnosis pair by itself does not establish that relationship. Use the examples above to frame questions for a qualified clinician or accredited representative.
Consider working with a VSO
A Veterans Service Organization (VSO) can help you file claims for these conditions at no cost. They can help identify the relevant claim requirements and help you prepare for C&P exams. Find a VSO near you → (opens in new tab)
Is it too late to file?
There is no general deadline to file a VA disability claim, but timing can affect the effective date and evidence available. VA decides service connection from the applicable rules and record.
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