Veterans exposed to toxins from burn pits, the dangerous chemical Agent Orange, or who have PTSD may be at a greater risk of developing an autoimmune disorder.
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If you’re a veteran with a new or aggravated autoimmune disease connected to your military service, you may be eligible for a VA disability rating for autoimmune disease.
This article details common autoimmune disorders in veterans, discusses how these diseases are rated, and explains how certain military exposures are linked to autoimmune diseases.
In this article about the VA disability rating for autoimmune disease:
Autoimmune conditions in veterans
An autoimmune disease is a type of disorder that causes your body to attack itself, rather than defend it. If you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system works overtime. When there aren’t any viruses, bacteria, or toxins to eliminate, your immune system attacks healthy tissue instead.
Autoimmune diseases affect one in every 15 people. Veterans may be more at risk of developing an autoimmune condition due to exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, or having a PTSD diagnosis.
There are more than 100 autoimmune diseases because they can affect any organ or tissue of the body. Since these conditions can affect any part of the body, symptoms vary. Some common, overlapping symptoms of autoimmune disorders include:
- Digestive issues
- Fatigue
- Joint pain and swelling
- Recurring fever
- Skin problems
- Swollen glands
VA disability rating for autoimmune disease
There is no one way to get VA disability for autoimmune disorders. VA diagnostic codes vary widely depending on your specific autoimmune condition and its symptoms. Ratings can range from 0% all the way up to 100% disabling.
Below, we explain the most common autoimmune disease VA ratings.
VA disability for lupus
While usually a genetic condition, lupus can also be caused by exposure to chemicals and pollutants. Lupus occurs when the immune system attacks its own tissues, leading to painful inflammation. Lupus is rated using diagnostic code 6350 at 10%, 60%, or 100% disabling.
VA disability for rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissues around the joints, causing inflammation and swelling. The VA rates rheumatoid arthritis under DC 5002 at 20%, 40%, 60%, or 100%.
VA disability for IBD
This set of inflammatory bowel diseases includes Crohn’s disease (causes any part of your digestive tract to become swollen and irritated) and ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the digestive tract), among other conditions. Both of these conditions rate between 10% and 100%, using the same criteria.
VA disability for MS
Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes your immune system to attack your central nervous system. When this happens, your body starts having trouble sending nerve signals from the brain to the rest of your body. The VA rates MS in a unique way, providing a minimum of 30% with minimal rating criteria. Your exact rating will depend on the severity of your condition.
VA disability for scleroderma
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that hardens and tightens the skin and its underlying connective tissue. While there is no specific diagnostic code for scleroderma, veterans can still receive VA disability for scleroderma brought on by their military service. The VA will typically use another skin diagnostic code to rate your condition analogously.
PTSD and autoimmune disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by an extremely stressful event or series of events. People with PTSD may have been a part of the event, or may have witnessed it.
Veterans with PTSD from combat or non-combat related service have been found to have an increased risk of autoimmune disease. In fact, one study of over 120,000 veterans showed the risk of developing any autoimmune disease was 58% higher in participants with PTSD.
Some research has shown the link between PTSD and autoimmune disorders could be due to changes to the immune system or hormonal changes caused by PTSD. Additionally, certain poor health habits often found among those with PTSD, like substance abuse and poor diet, could trigger the development of an autoimmune disease.
Presumptive autoimmune conditions
Some autoimmune diseases are presumptive conditions for VA disability. A presumptive condition is a health issue the VA formally considers connected to the unique circumstances of certain veterans’ service. Veterans with presumptive conditions do not have to prove to the VA their condition is service connected as long as they can show they served in a qualifying time and place.
The VA created a list of conditions that are considered presumptive for up to one year after separation from service, regardless of when and where you served. This list includes several autoimmune conditions:
- Multiple sclerosis (Note that MS is presumptive within seven years of separation from service, rather than the standard one year)
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Scleroderma
- Myasthenia gravis
The PACT ACT and autoimmune diseases
Burn pits were long used by the military to burn waste including chemicals, metals, plastic, human waste, and more. They ranged from the size of a football field to several acres of land wide. The PACT Act was intended to address the various health issues veterans and service members were developing after breathing in the toxics from these pits.
Woods & Woods are a great firm. My process was a long one but they were professional every step of the way. I would recommend any veteran, who is looking for help in receiving benefits, call them asap. You will not be disappointed.
J.S. a Navy veteran from North Carolina
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Unfortunately, the PACT Act did not add any autoimmune disorders to the list of presumptive conditions caused by burn pits. However, some research has suggested there may be a connection between burn pits and rheumatoid arthritis. Any veteran who believes their RA was caused by burn pit exposure will need a doctor to write a medical nexus establishing the connection.
TDIU for autoimmune conditions
In some cases, a veteran may be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for an autoimmune disease. TDIU is also known as individual unemployability or simply IU. Veterans are eligible for these benefits if they can’t hold down “substantially gainful” employment due to their service-connected conditions.
Veterans who receive TDIU benefits are compensated at the same level as those with a 100% disability rating, even though their combined rating is below 100%.
Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:
- At least 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 & Woods can help
Woods & Woods has been fighting for people with injuries and disabilities since 1985. Our team of accredited VA disability lawyers, case managers, legal analysts, and intake specialists know the ins and outs of the VA so you don’t have to do all the hard work. Call us today for your free and confidential case evaluation.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no one way to get VA disability for autoimmune disorders. VA diagnostic codes vary widely depending on your specific autoimmune condition and its symptoms. Ratings can range from 0% all the way up to 100% disabling.
The VA does not recognize any health conditions as being caused by exposure to Agent Orange. However, any veteran who believes their autoimmune disorder was caused by Agent Orange may work with their doctor and the VA to establish a service connection.
Neil Woods
Neil Woods is a VA disability attorney and the owner and president of Woods & Woods. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
