“Women are the fastest growing group of veterans in the U.S. In fact, the VA projects that women will make up 18% of the veteran population by 2040, compared to just 4% in 2000.
“All women face the risk of developing a gynecological condition, but certain situations and environmental exposures during military service place female veterans at an even higher risk for reproductive health issues.
“My name is Jennifer Keppler. I’m a VA disability attorney with Woods & Woods. Today, I want to talk to you about the different types of gynecological and reproductive conditions affecting female veterans and how the VA rates them.
“I’ll also explain how certain conditions may qualify you for special monthly compensation or TDIU.”
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Connecting gynecological conditions to service
“There are a number of reasons why women in the military may be more likely to develop gynecological conditions. Some of the most common include injuries to or near the reproductive organs during combat training or vehicle accidents, environmental exposures that may disrupt hormones or lead to fertility issues, or military sexual assault, which can sometimes result in long term gynecological damage.
“If you’d like to learn more about military sexual trauma, click here, or check out the video about it on our YouTube channel.
“When it comes to VA disability benefits, there are two main ways to service connect a condition.
“The first is direct service connection, which means your condition started during service or was directly caused by your time in service. If your gynecological condition developed from military sexual assault, environmental exposure, or an injury during service, you may qualify for direct service connection.
“There’s also secondary service connection, which applies when a service-connected condition causes or worsens another condition.
“We’ll talk about [service connection] more in a bit.”
Gynecological conditions rated under the General Rating Formula
“Some gynecological conditions are rated under what’s called the General Rating Formula for Injury, Disease, or Adhesions of Female Reproductive Organs in the Schedule of Ratings.
“Common conditions that are rated using these criteria include uterine fibroids, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), pelvic inflammatory disease, and menstrual disorders such as dysmenorrhea (severe pain during the menstrual cycle), menorrhagia (prolonged, heavy bleeding), and amenorrhea (lack of a menstrual cycle).
“If your gynecological condition falls under this rating criteria, you may be assigned a rating of 0%, 10%, or 30%. These ratings are based on whether your condition requires continuous treatment and whether that treatment is effective.”
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VA rating for endometriosis
“Other conditions, like endometriosis, are rated differently.
“Endometriosis is a condition that causes tissue to grow outside the uterus. It can affect the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining the pelvis. It can be painful, especially during your period.
“The VA rates endometriosis using diagnostic codes 7629 in the Schedule of Ratings. You may receive a 10%, 30%, or 50% rating for endometriosis, depending on severity and how it responds to treatment.
“Endometriosis can also lead to other serious health issues.
“For example, it may cause chronic pelvic pain, menstrual disorders, infertility, or even require surgical treatment like a hysterectomy.
“If you develop an illness because of your endometriosis, you could qualify for a secondary service connection.
“A secondary service connection allows you to receive a VA disability rating for any health condition medically related to a service-connected condition.”
Breast and gynecological cancers
“Certain cancers affecting the reproductive system like ovarian, cervical, breast, or uterine cancer may also qualify for VA disability benefits because cancer is a life-altering disease.
“The VA assigns a 100% disability rating to veterans with active service-connected cancer. That rating is temporary and will last as long as your cancer is active. Your rating will then continue for six months following the completion of your cancer treatment.
“The VA will typically evaluate any long-term residuals such as chronic pain or hormonal changes, and assign a new reduced rating based on the severity of your residual conditions.
“If your cancer is linked to service, whether due to environmental exposures or another service-connected condition, you may be eligible for compensation.
“Many veterans who served near burn pits were exposed to high levels of toxins that have been linked to breast and reproductive cancers. If you were exposed to burn pits during your service and later developed breast or any type of reproductive cancer, you may qualify for a presumptive service connection.
“This means you do not have to prove a medical connection between your time in service and your condition.
“To learn more about presumptive conditions and how the VA rates cancer, check out our blog post.”
VA rating for female sexual arousal disorder
“Female sexual arousal disorder, sometimes called FSAD, occurs when the body doesn’t respond to sexual stimulation.
“Symptoms can vary and may include low libido, difficulty becoming aroused, difficulty reaching orgasm, or pain during sex. Female sexual arousal disorder can be disruptive and may lead to a lower quality of life and poor self-esteem.
“If you have FSAD, you may be eligible for compensation from the VA.
“FSAD is not rated like most conditions. The VA rates FSAD under diagnostic codes 7632, and will only assign a non-compensable rating of 0%.
“While that may sound discouraging, a 0% rating can still be important, as it may open the door
to additional benefits like special monthly compensation.”
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Infertility VA rating
“Infertility can also be a serious and life-altering condition for many veterans.
“While infertility itself doesn’t warrant a standalone rating, it can still play an important role in your VA claim.
“For example, infertility may support eligibility for special monthly compensation or strengthen a secondary service-connection claim.
“If your infertility is linked to your service or to another service-connected condition, it’s important to document that connection.”
Special monthly compensation for gynecological problems
“Veterans with certain gynecological conditions such as FSAD or infertility may be granted special monthly compensation, or SMC, for loss of use of a creative organ.
“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, including for the loss or loss of use of extremities and creative organs. For the loss or loss of use of creative organs, the VA will assign what’s called SMC-K.
“Even if you don’t receive a VA rating for problems like infertility or female sexual arousal disorder, it’s important to document your service connection so you can qualify for this benefit.
“You may also qualify for SMC-K if any service-connected condition leads to a hysterectomy or any other surgical removal of a reproductive organ.”
TDIU for gynecological conditions
“If you’ve been diagnosed with a painful service-connected gynecological condition, you may find it hard to maintain a full-time job.
“Some of these conditions can cause chronic pain and fatigue that can make it hard to stay on task at a sedentary job, and may make physical labor nearly impossible.
“If this sounds like you, you may be eligible for total disability based on individual unemployability, or TDIU.
“TDIU benefits are awarded to veterans who can’t maintain 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%.
“If you think your gynecological condition is making it hard for you to work, please call us. We may be able to help you build a case.
Our team is ready to help
How Woods & Woods can help
“This was an overview of some common gynecological conditions that may be service connected.
“If you have more questions about VA benefits in general, please check out our blog posts and the videos on our YouTube channel.
“If you’re wondering if you qualify for an increased rating or TDIU, contact Woods & Woods for a free consultation.”
Jennifer Keppler
Jennifer is a VA disability lawyer who was drawn to law based on a desire to serve and advocate for others. She received her law degree from Indiana University.
