Nerve damage, often presenting as neuropathy, chronic pain, or numbness, is a frequent yet complex consequence of military service. While the physical toll extends beyond visible injuries for many veterans, obtaining a VA disability rating is a vital step toward securing the necessary financial support. This rating can also significantly bolster a claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Proving Service Connection
The initial and most crucial step in any VA claim is establishing service connection. For nerve damage, this is accomplished through two main paths:
- Direct Service Connection: This applies when medical evidence from your time in service (such as contemporaneous records of symptom onset) proves that your nerve damage was directly caused or aggravated by a specific event during your military duty.
- Secondary Service Connection: This is common when nerve damage is a result of an existing, service-connected condition (e.g., a back injury, diabetes, or toxic exposure like Agent Orange). In these instances, a Nexus Letter from a medical professional is often required. This document provides the VA with a crucial expert opinion linking the current nerve condition to the primary, service-connected disability.
The VA Rating System for Nerve Conditions
The VA uses specific diagnostic codes to evaluate nerve damage, categorizing the severity and type of the condition:
- Paralysis: Complete loss of muscle movement.
- Neuritis: Nerve inflammation, typically marked by muscle atrophy or loss of reflexes.
- Neuralgia: Intense, sharp pain along the nerve path.
Ratings range from 0% to 80% and are assigned based on the severity of the symptoms (mild, moderate, or severe) and the specific nerve affected. The VA often uses the term “incomplete paralysis” to describe conditions with reduced function but not total loss of movement. For instance, mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve might receive a 10% rating, while severe cases involving significant functional loss in the extremities could be rated 40% or higher.
The Importance of the C&P Exam
The Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam is a deciding factor in your claim. During this evaluation, a VA or contracted physician will assess the severity of your neuropathy through tests measuring:
- Sensory loss (reaction to light touch, pinpricks).
- Reflexes and muscle strength.
It is essential to be explicit and detailed about your symptoms. Do not minimize your pain. Clearly articulate the impact of sensations like burning, tingling, or numbness, and crucially, explain how these limitations restrict your ability to perform daily tasks, such as working, driving, or household chores.
Connecting Your VA Rating to Other Benefits
A favorable VA rating can be a gateway to additional benefits:
| Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) | If your nerve damage prevents you from maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may qualify for TDIU, which provides compensation at the 100% rate, even if your scheduled rating is lower. |
| Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) | A high VA rating, particularly a Permanent & Total (P&T) status, is valuable supporting evidence for your SSDI application and can potentially expedite its processing. Although the VA and Social Security Administration operate separately, the medical evidence used for your VA claim directly supports your SSDI case. |
Contact National Disability Benefits to Learn More
National Disability Benefits specializes in guiding veterans through the SSDI application process. We understand how to leverage your medical evidence to satisfy the SSA’s strict criteria, ensuring you don’t leave benefits on the table.
If you are struggling with nerve damage and want to explore your eligibility for SSDI, contact us online today or call 1 (844) 777-0615 for a free evaluation. Let us help you secure the financial stability you have earned.
