How to Get VA Disability for Orthopedic Injuries
Orthopedic injuries are among the most common long-term disabilities faced by veterans as a result of their service, and account for more than half of all combat injuries in recent military operations.
These injuries, which include a wide range of conditions impacting the bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons of the musculoskeletal system, tend to present worse in veterans than in the general population. They may also have an outsized impact on a veteran’s daily life, mobility, and ability to work, all of which highlight the importance of the disability programs offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Learn about VA disability for orthopedic injuries below, including eligibility, criteria, and the steps you need to follow to successfully claim VA benefits for a musculoskeletal disability.
Common Orthopedic Conditions Among Veterans
Veterans may experience a variety of orthopedic conditions due to the rigorous physical activities and potential injuries encountered during service. And these injuries can be particularly debilitating, since they’re often heavily impacted by things like multi-limb trauma, wound contamination, and a lack of access to immediate and comprehensive medical care.
Common orthopedic conditions among veterans include:
- Sprains, strains, and stress fractures
- Arthritis
- Degenerative joint disease
- Herniated discs
- Soft tissue injuries
- Chronic pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Nerve damage
If you are a veteran suffering from one or more of these orthopedic conditions due to your time in service, you may be entitled to VA disability benefits that include tax-free monthly compensation and free or low-cost medical care at VA healthcare facilities. Additional compensation may be available for co-occurring conditions and/or secondary conditions related to your orthopedic injury.
Establishing a Service Connection for Orthopedic Injuries
In order to qualify for VA disability for orthopedic injuries, your condition must be of a severity that impacts your daily life. You must also establish a connection between your injury and your time in the service, which can be done by demonstrating:
- In-Service Event or Injury: Evidence of an injury or event that occurred during your military service and could have caused or worsened your orthopedic condition.
- Current Diagnosis: A medical diagnosis of your orthopedic condition by a qualified healthcare professional.
- Nexus (Link) Between Service and Current Condition: Medical evidence connecting the in-service event to your current orthopedic diagnosis.
Additional benefits may be available for any secondary conditions – i.e., other conditions caused or worsened by your orthopedic injury. Examples include severe depression, headaches, and/or bladder or bowel dysfunction.
Types of VA Benefits for Orthopedic Conditions
Veterans who have experienced a new or worsened orthopedic condition as a direct result of their military service may be entitled to one or more types of disability benefits through the VA.
- VA Disability Compensation: Monthly tax-free payments based on the severity of your orthopedic condition.
- Health Care Benefits: Access to VA medical treatment for orthopedic conditions, including medical diagnostics and treatments, prescriptions, and rehabilitative care.
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): Benefits for surviving spouses and children if the veteran passed away due to all or in part to an orthopedic injury. May include VA healthcare or other survivor benefits like VA home loans.
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): Additional payments for veterans with especially severe and debilitating orthopedic disabilities.
VA Disability Rating System for Orthopedic Injuries
As with any service-related injury or illness, before you can collect VA benefits for orthopedic conditions, your injury must be evaluated to determine the severity of the disability and its impact on your ability to work and perform daily activities.
This evaluation is overseen by the VA and is used to provide your condition with a VA disability rating. Disability ratings are expressed as percentages ranging from 0% to 100%, in increments of 10%. Factors influencing the rating for orthopedic injuries include:
- Pain and Functional Loss: The presence of pain during movement and its effect on functionality.
- Structural Impairments: Deformities, instability, or other structural issues in bones or joints.
- Range of Motion: Limitations in movement of the affected joint or spine segment. As part of your claim for VA benefits related to orthopedic injuries, the VA will order a Range of Motion (ROM) test, which specifically measures how far your affected joint(s) can move in any one direction.
The higher your disability rating, the more benefits you are likely entitled to collect. For example, a veteran with limited forward flexion of the lumbar spine will usually receive a higher disability rating – and thus more compensation – than a veteran with a torn knee ligament and a greater range of motion.
It’s possible for your disability rating to change over time. If you are experiencing worsening effects from an orthopedic injury that has already been rated, you are eligible to file a new application for benefits based on the current state of your disability. This is treated as a new claim, and, if accepted, will override your current rating and benefits.
How to Apply for VA Disability Benefits for Orthopedic Injuries
There is no statute of limitations for orthopedic injury claims with the VA, however the sooner you apply, the sooner you can hopefully start receiving the benefits you deserve. To file a successful VA disability claim for an orthopedic injury, follow the steps below.
1
Step
Gather Supporting Evidence
You will need to submit several types of documents showing the link between your military service and your orthopedic condition. These generally include medical records, service treatment records, and any lay statements supporting your claim. You will also need to supply your discharge papers, which are used to verify your service and ensure you were not discharged under dishonorable circumstances.
2
Step
Complete VA Form 21-526EZ
This is the standard application for disability compensation through the VA, and should be used when applying for VA disability for orthopedic injuries. Be as thorough and accurate as possible when filling out your application for VA disability, since any inaccuracies or gaps in the information provided could lead to your claim being delayed or denied by the department.
3
Step
Submit Your Application Form
You can file VA Form 21-526EZ online using the VA’s eBenefits portal or mail a completed form to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Evidence Intake Center, P.O. Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444. You may also choose to submit your application in person at a VA regional office.
4
Step
Attend a Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exam
The C&P exam is a medical evaluation that the VA uses to assess the severity of your condition and assign your disability rating. This exam must be arranged by the VA and performed by a VA-approved physician, with specifics on how to schedule provided to you once the VA begins to process your benefits application.
Tips for Successfully Filing for VA Benefits for Orthopedic Conditions
The stronger your claim for disability benefits, the more likely it is that it will be successful. Some ways to strengthen your claim include:
- Seek Continuous Medical Treatment: Regular medical visits create a documented history of your condition.
- Keep Records: Hold on to any documents that you think may support your claim, including correspondence or meeting records related to your injury.
- Be Detailed in Symptom Reporting: Clearly detail your symptoms during medical evaluations, as well as their impact on your daily life.
- Utilize ‘Buddy Statements’: These are statements from fellow service members or family members that corroborate the occurrence of in-service events and the progression of your symptoms.
- Respond Promptly to VA Requests: After receiving your initial application, the VA may contact you with additional questions or requests. Reply right away to keep the process moving along and avoid any unnecessary delays.
- Consult with a Veterans Service Organization (VSO): VSOs can provide guidance and assistance in preparing and submitting claims.
For dedicated support appealing your VA claim, you may want to work with a lawyer who specializes in VA disability claims and appeals. Veterans’ lawyers have a ton of experience and knowledge surrounding VA disability for orthopedic injuries, and many work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay a cent until your claim is successful.
Do you have additional questions about VA benefits for orthopedic conditions? Need help with your claim? We are here to assist you however we can. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a qualified veterans’ lawyer.
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"There are no words, really, to explain how grateful my wife and I are for this legal firm and their knowledge and tenacity in taking on my cause with the VA. We’re talking about the results of incidents that occurred in the Vietnam war in 1967-68! [They] moved along from hearing to hearing, exam to exam, appeal to appeal, and even a remote video hearing before a judge, until I was awarded 100% disability."
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"What truly stood out was the personalized service I received. They took the time to understand my unique situation, my military background, and the specific challenges I faced in filing my disability claim. This tailored approach made me feel valued as a client rather than just another case number. The team worked diligently to ensure that my application highlighted my service-related issues effectively."
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