Women veterans living with a disability affecting the normal function of their reproductive organs may be eligible for VA disability for gynecological conditions. Due to the potential for injury, exposure to toxins, and military sexual assault during service, women veterans are especially at risk for developing a gynecological condition.
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Disabilities including endometriosis, breast cancer, and menstrual disorders can dramatically affect a woman’s physical and mental health, as well as her ability to get pregnant.
In this article, we discuss common gynecological conditions among veterans, risk factors for developing a gynecological condition, and how the VA rates these conditions.
In this article about VA disability for gynecological conditions:
What is a gynecological condition?
A gynecological condition is any disorder that negatively affects the normal function of the female reproductive organs. This includes the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, vulva, and breasts.
Symptoms of gynecological conditions vary based on the organ that’s affected.
Some of the more common symptoms among these disorders include:
- Pelvic pain
- Heavy or irregular bleeding
- Pain during menstruation
- Lower back pain
- Painful intercourse
If you are experiencing symptoms of a gynecological disorder, it’s important to see a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis before you file a claim for VA benefits.
Gynecological conditions in veterans
There are more than two million women veterans in the United States, and that number is growing every year. Gynecological conditions related to service are a serious issue.
According to a review of reproductive health in veterans, certain situations and environmental exposures during military service can impact female veteran’s overall reproductive health.
Common gynecological conditions among women veterans include:
- Menstrual disorders
- Female reproductive cancers
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Uterine fibroids
- Miscarriage
- Endometriosis
- Infertility
- Loss of use of reproductive organs (ovaries)
- Female sexual arousal disorder
Service connecting gynecological conditions
There are several reasons why a woman serving in the military may be more prone to developing a gynecological condition. Below are some of the most common.
Traumatic injuries
Military service including combat, training accidents, and vehicle accidents, can put veterans at risk of injury. Any injury to or near reproductive organs could lead to infections and lasting gynecological conditions like chronic pelvic pain, loss of use of creative organs, pelvic prolapse, and endometriosis.
Exposure to environmental toxins
Exposure to environmental toxins during service has the potential to impact women’s reproductive systems and hormones, leading to fertility issues and poor pregnancy outcomes. Although pregnancy often prevents deployment, some female veterans find their ability to get pregnant after discharge is at risk due to toxic exposure.
Female reproductive cancers including cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, vulvar, and breast cancer may be linked to environmental toxin exposure during service.
Military sexual assault
Twenty percent of women veterans who use Veterans Health Administration facilities report a history of military sexual trauma.
Military sexual assault, which includes rape, unwanted sexual advances, and other nonconsensual sexual activities can cause gynecological damage that may require a hysterectomy.
In addition to physical damage, military sexual trauma (MST) is often linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Female veterans with PTSD may have a harder time getting pregnant and may be at risk for premature birth and low birth weight babies. Pregnancy issues like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia are also more prevalent in women with PTSD.
Deployment and delayed health screenings
For some women, deployment can interfere with preventive measures including cervical cancer screenings and evaluations for menorrhagia, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids.
VA disability for gynecological conditions
Gynecological conditions are rated using the Schedule of Ratings for gynecological conditions and disorders of the breast.
Not all gynecological conditions are rated the same. Many are rated using the General Rating Formula for Disease, Injury, or Adhesions of the Female Reproductive Organs, while others have a separate rating.
Depending on your diagnosis, its severity, and other factors such as the effectiveness of treatment and whether surgery is required, gynecological conditions can be assigned a rating between 0% and 100%.
You may notice that infertility on its own isn’t eligible for VA disability benefits. Instead, you may be eligible for VA benefits for a service-connected condition that causes your infertility, such as the removal of one or both ovaries.
Gynecological DBQ
A disability benefits questionnaire (DBQ) is a form provided by the VA that allows a medical provider to document evidence about a veteran’s condition.
The gynecological DBQ is an eight-page document that includes:
- Your diagnosis and medical history
- Your symptoms and their severity
- Treatment(s) used to control your conditions and how effective they are
- Surgeries you’ve undergone to treat the condition
- How your condition affects your ability to work
DBQs are to be completed by your medical provider. When the form is complete, you will submit it to the VA with your disability claim.
The VA will likely use your gynecological DBQ during your compensation and pension (C&P) exam, which is an exam that assesses your disability and helps the examiner determine if your condition is related to service.
Presumptive gynecological conditions
Certain gynecological conditions are presumptive. A presumptive condition is one the VA automatically assumes is service connected. Qualifying veterans diagnosed with a presumptive gynecological condition are not required to prove a medical nexus, or proof that their condition is medically linked to their service.
Burn pit presumptive conditions
The U.S. military used burn pits to dispose of onsite waste during 21st-century conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Qatar, and other locations throughout the region. It was later determined that some of the materials burned in these pits released toxins, putting military personnel at risk for a myriad of health conditions.
The following female reproductive cancers are presumptive of burn pit exposure:
- Cervical
- Ovarian
- Uterine
- Vaginal
- Vulvar
- Breast
Presumptive conditions for ionizing radiation
Atomic veterans are veterans who were exposed to ionizing radiation from waste, weapons, or equipment while in the military. A variety of medical conditions have been linked to ionizing radiation exposure, including some gynecological cancers. Qualifying veterans diagnosed with ovarian or breast cancer may be eligible for a presumptive service connection for ionizing radiation.
TDIU for gynecological conditions
A disability of any kind can be detrimental to a veteran’s overall well-being. Gynecological conditions can make daily life at home and work more difficult. You may have trouble focusing at work because of chronic pelvic pain, or heavy menstrual bleeding and pain may cause you to miss work.
A veteran can be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) benefits if they can’t maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected conditions.
TDIU pays at the same level as a 100% disability rating, even when the veteran’s combined rating is below 100%.
Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:
- One service-connected disability rated at least 60% OR
- Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes. Not all gynecological conditions are rated the same, but many are rated using the General Rating Formula for Disease, Injury, or Adhesions of the Female Reproductive Organs. The rating formulas for other compensable gynecological conditions are found in the Schedule of Ratings for gynecological conditions and disorders of the breast.
There are several reasons why a woman serving in the military may be more prone to developing a gynecological condition. Some of these include traumatic injuries, exposure to environmental toxins, military sexual assault, and delayed health screenings due to deployment.
Neil Woods
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Neil Woods is the firm’s owner and president. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
