🎖️ VALOR

Your VA Disability Rating Depends on This: Everything You Need to Know About the DBQ 

In this video, attorney Melanie Williams walks you through an example Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for PTSD, a critical form used in C&P exams that can make or break your VA disability rating.

Discover what examiners look for, how different symptoms align with specific ratings, and tips for effectively communicating your symptoms during the exam. Whether you’re prepping for a C&P exam or simply want to understand the process better, this video is packed with valuable insights for maximizing your claim. 

⚖️ EXPERTS

Maximizing your VA Disability Benefits: Secondary Conditions Connected to PTSD

For military veterans, PTSD is more than a clinical diagnosis; it’s a condition that often brings additional physical and mental health challenges. These secondary conditions, closely related to PTSD, can increase a veteran’s overall disability rating and benefits when properly documented. Here’s a streamlined guide to understanding, identifying, and claiming these secondary conditions to maximize your VA benefits. 

The Connection Between PTSD and Secondary Conditions 

Secondary conditions are health issues that arise due to or are exacerbated by an existing condition—in this case, PTSD. For veterans, secondary conditions such as sleep apnea, migraines, hypertension, and GERD often emerge as a direct result of PTSD, adding layers of difficulty to everyday life. 

For example: 

• Sleep apnea and migraines can develop from chronic stress and disrupted sleep patterns. 

• Hypertension is often exacerbated by the prolonged stress response associated with PTSD. 

• GERD, a digestive condition, can be aggravated by both the physical and psychological stress linked to PTSD. 

Successfully claiming these secondary conditions can increase a veteran’s disability rating and provide additional support. 

Filing a Secondary Condition Claim: Steps to Take 

To make a successful secondary service connection claim, you’ll need to follow these steps: 

1. Identify Potential Secondary Conditions: Consider any health issues you’ve experienced that could be linked to PTSD. 

2. Obtain a Diagnosis: Consult with a medical provider to diagnose and document these conditions. 

3. Establish a Connection: It’s essential to demonstrate that each condition is connected to your PTSD. Medical opinions, studies, and case evidence can strengthen this link. 

4. Understand VA’s Aggravation Criteria: Under VA rules, if there’s evidence that your secondary condition worsened due to your service-connected PTSD, this aggravation can support your claim. 

If your claim for a secondary condition is denied, don’t lose hope—veterans have options to appeal and provide additional documentation. 

Common Secondary Conditions to PTSD 

Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common secondary conditions that veterans with PTSD experience and how the VA rates them: 

• Sleep Apnea: PTSD-related sleep disturbances can lead to obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. The VA rates sleep apnea from 0% to 100%, with 50% for veterans who require a CPAP machine and 100% for severe cases requiring further medical intervention. 

• Migraines: Veterans with PTSD may experience chronic migraines due to the stress and tension associated with their condition. Ratings for migraines range from 0% (mild, infrequent headaches) to 50% for frequent, debilitating migraines that interfere with daily life. 

• Hypertension: Prolonged stress can contribute to high blood pressure, a common secondary condition to PTSD. VA ratings for hypertension start at 10% and can reach 60% for severe cases where blood pressure is consistently elevated and requires continuous medication. 

• GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can be exacerbated by the stress associated with PTSD. Symptoms may include persistent heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain. VA ratings for GERD range from 0% to 80%, depending on the severity and impact on health. 

Exploring TDIU Eligibility for PTSD and Secondary Conditions 

Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is available for veterans whose service-connected conditions make it impossible to maintain gainful employment. Veterans with PTSD and one or more secondary conditions may qualify if: 

• They have a single condition rated at 60% or higher. 

• They have multiple conditions with a combined rating of 70% or higher, including at least one rated at 40% or more. 

A TDIU rating means the VA compensates you at the 100% disability rate, even if your combined rating is less than 100%, recognizing the impact of your conditions on your ability to work. 

Tips for Navigating Secondary Condition Claims 

• Document Symptoms and Impact: Detailed medical records and personal statements about how your conditions affect daily life strengthen your case. 

• Seek Regular Medical Evaluations: Ongoing evaluations keep your medical records current and reinforce the severity of your conditions. 

• Consider Professional Assistance: A VA disability lawyer can assist with gathering evidence, filing paperwork, and appealing denied claims, helping you maximize your benefits. 

Need Help with Your VA Claim? 

Navigating the VA disability claims process for PTSD can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. 

If your claim was denied or your rating doesn’t reflect the severity of your condition, contact us for a free case evaluation. Let us fight to secure the benefits you’ve earned. Call us today at (855) 494-1298. 

🦅SUPPORT

Attention: Join us today at 1400 hours EST for a new livestream with our legal team!

Join us to get your questions about VA disability law and the claims process answered by our legal team. Comments open 30 minutes prior to the Livestream starting, so get there early to get your question in. We try to answer as many as we can!

Were You Exposed to “Forever Chemicals” in Your Water Supply?

PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” are synthetic substances widely used in firefighting foams, water-resistant products, and industrial applications. These chemicals have been found in dangerously high concentrations in some water supplies, including on or near military bases. Learn if your military base was impacted using our Toxic Exposure Map.

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to severe health conditions, such as:

• Testicular Cancer

• Kidney Cancer

• Ulcerative Colitis

• Liver Cancer

If you or a loved one lived or worked in areas with PFAS contamination and have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, you may qualify for compensation.

Act now. Contact us today at (855) 494-1298 to learn more about your options or to begin your claim. You’ve served your country; let us serve you.

🗺️ TACTICS

Veteran’s Secret to an Increased Rating for Sciatica

Note: All identifying details have been changed to protect privacy. This case is based on examples from the BVA database.

A veteran who served from November 1965 to November 1968 sought an increased disability rating for service-connected right lower extremity sciatica. Initially rated at 20%, the veteran’s symptoms worsened, significantly affecting mobility and daily function. He appealed for a higher rating to reflect his condition’s impact on his life, resulting in two increased ratings: a 40% rating prior to July 26, 2012, and a 60% rating effective from that date. This case illustrates how documenting changes in condition and the degree of impairment can support a successful claim for increased benefits. 

The Outcome 

After reviewing evidence, including medical records, personal statements, and examination findings, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) granted a 40% disability rating for the period before July 26, 2012, and a 60% rating effective from that date. The higher ratings recognized the veteran’s “moderately severe” to “severe” incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, which impacted his mobility, balance, and ability to perform basic daily activities. 

Granted: 40% disability rating for right lower extremity sciatica before July 26, 2012, and 60% from that date, recognizing the substantial functional impairment caused by the veteran’s worsening condition. 

Why Was This Decision Made? 

Several key factors led to the BVA’s decision to increase the veteran’s disability rating: 

• Severity of Symptoms and Functional Impact: Evidence showed that, prior to July 26, 2012, the veteran’s sciatica led to a loss of balance, significant pain, and mobility challenges, requiring the use of a cane. From July 26, 2012, his symptoms worsened, causing unsteady gait, muscle atrophy, and instability, affecting his ability to walk or stand for extended periods. 

• Medical Documentation of Increased Paralysis: The veteran’s medical records revealed progressively severe symptoms, with consistent descriptions of moderately severe paralysis before July 2012 and severe paralysis afterward, as documented in VA examinations and physician assistant reports. 

• Evidence of Muscle Atrophy: Post-July 2012 records identified muscle atrophy in the right calf, which further supported a higher rating due to the increasing physical impact of his sciatica. While not classified as “marked,” the presence of atrophy demonstrated significant muscular decline and a worsening of his condition over time. 

Tips from the Legal Team 

For veterans pursuing increased ratings for sciatica or similar conditions, consider the following strategies: 

• Detailed Symptom Tracking: Keep thorough records of symptoms, including any changes in severity, mobility challenges, or impacts on daily function. 

• Update Medical Records Regularly: Regular medical evaluations help capture the progression of your condition, ensuring the VA has up-to-date evidence of how symptoms affect your life. 

• Document Any Assistive Devices Used: If you require a cane, walker, or other device for mobility, note this with your doctor as it can demonstrate the severity of your condition. 

Wondering if Your VA Rating Reflects Your Condition?

Use our VA Disability Calculator to see if your current rating aligns with your level of disability and explore potential increases based on any secondary conditions you may have. Calculate Your VA Disability Rating Now!