If you had to have a hysterectomy because of an injury or condition caused or worsened by your military service, you may be eligible to receive a VA rating for a hysterectomy. If you began treatment during service for a condition that later required a hysterectomy, you may also be eligible for benefits.
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You developed uterine fibroids during your military service. Now, your doctor says you need a hysterectomy because other treatments aren’t working, and you’re in pain and bleeding irregularly. You may qualify for VA disability benefits. Read on to understand why it’s important to understand the VA rating for a hysterectomy.
In this article about the VA rating for a hysterectomy:
Veterans and hysterectomies
There are multiple reasons a woman might have to have her uterus surgically removed, such as heavy menstrual periods, injury, pelvic support issues, ongoing pelvic pain, or cancer. Once a woman has a hysterectomy, she’s no longer able to conceive, and she doesn’t have periods.
About 15% of women have hysterectomies for various reasons, making it a common surgical procedure. However, female veterans are thought to be more prone to needing hysterectomies than the general population.
One study found that about 16.8% of female veterans have hysterectomies, and they tend to have them at a younger age than their civilian counterparts. The study found that female veterans who were sexually assaulted and those with a history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were at a greater risk of needing the surgery.
“If you were injured while serving this country and are reading this review, I encourage you to contact Woods and Woods right away. They are always standing ready to assist veterans in need.”
J.B., a Navy veteran in Virginia
Hysterectomies and related conditions
A hysterectomy may result from another service-connected experience, making it qualify for secondary service connection for VA disability benefits. Those conditions may include:
- Uterine Fibroids. Ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids are common reasons women have to have hysterectomies.
- Military Sexual Assault (MST). Sexual assault can cause gynecological damage that requires a hysterectomy.
- PTSD. Women with trauma exposure and PTSD may be at a higher risk of needing a premenopausal hysterectomy. PTSD may also be secondary to having a hysterectomy because of something that happened to you, like an in-service injury or MST.
- Endometriosis. Endometriosis, a condition in which extra tissue grows on the outside of the uterus, can also lead to a hysterectomy.
Additionally, some women who have hysterectomies, especially if they’re still within childbearing age, are more prone to depression after the surgery. If you have a hysterectomy and develop depression, you may qualify for a VA rating for depression.
VA rating for a hysterectomy
The VA rating for a hysterectomy is determined using diagnostic code 7617 or 7618 for General Disease, Injury, or Adhesions of Female Reproductive Organs in the Schedule of Ratings. The veteran will receive a 100% rating for three months after the surgery while they recover. After that, the rating depends on the level of organ removal required.
Diagnostic code 7617 is for the removal of the uterus and both ovaries. A 50% rating is assigned after the first three months.
| Description | VA Rating | Monthly payment (vet only) |
|---|---|---|
| Uterus and both ovaries, removal of, complete for three months after surgery | 100% | $3,737.85 |
| Uterus and both ovaries, removal of, complete more than three months after surgery | 50% | $1,075.16 |
Diagnostic code 7618 is for removal of the corpus, which is the body of the uterus only. A 30% rating is assigned after the first three months.
| Description | VA Rating | Monthly payment (vet only) |
|---|---|---|
| Uterus, removal of, including corpus for three months after surgery | 100% | $3,737.85 |
| Uterus, removal of, including corpus more than three months after surgery | 30% | $524.31 |
Special monthly compensation for a hysterectomy
In addition to 100% disability for three months after surgery and the adjusted rating after that, the VA may provide special monthly compensation (SMC) for a hysterectomy.
SMC is a type of disability benefit for veterans that increases the compensation they receive for certain severe disabilities.
The VA provides SMC for various reasons, most often related to the loss of function of extremities and other senses.
The VA may provide SMC after a hysterectomy if the surgery significantly impacts your ability to work or results in the need for ongoing medical care because of a surgical complication like infection, nerve damage, or ongoing bleeding.
“After trying and failing multiple times over many years to get widow’s compensation from the VA, I turned to Woods and Woods… I am so glad we found them. They are wonderful and very good at what they do. They are very professional and keep you updated and formed throughout the process.”
J.C., a veteran’s widow in Utah
TDIU for Hysterectomy
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.
You should be able to work after the initial three-month period following the hysterectomy. That’s why the VA provides 100% benefits during your recovery time. However, if you experience depression as a result of the hysterectomy or have another complication from the surgery, like blood clots or severe pain, these issues may make you unable to work.
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 60% or more disabling 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
How Woods and Woods can help
If you have a service-connected condition that affects your ability to live and work comfortably, you deserve the full VA disability compensation you are owed. Contact Woods and Woods today for a free consultation to see how we can help. You only pay us if we win.
Talk to Us About Your Claim:
(812) 426-7200
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, you can receive a VA rating for a hysterectomy if it’s the result of a service-related injury or condition. You may also qualify if you began treatment for an issue in service that eventually led to a hysterectomy.
Yes. Ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids are common reasons women need to have hysterectomies, making the mandatory surgery and its impacts secondary conditions to the fibroids.
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.
