Can I Receive VA Disability Benefits for My Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain can be debilitating. A veteran suffering from service-connected chronic pain may be entitled to VA disability benefits. Depending on the circumstances, that may mean: 

• Establishing a service connection for the condition causing the condition or
• Establishing a service connection for a separate condition with the chronic pain being secondary to that condition, or
• Establishing a service connection for the chronic pain (or the condition that causes it) along with one or more secondary conditions caused by the chronic pain

Because of all of these different scenarios, and because this disability can vary in intensity, consistency, and the types of limitations it creates, the evidence required to establish a service connection and the medical evidence required to establish the right disability rating will also vary. The best way to approach a claim for VA disability for this condition is with the assistance of an experienced VA disability benefits advocate.

Presumptive Service Connection

Chronic pain itself isn’t presumed service-connected. However, the condition that causes the pain may be presumed service connected. For example, medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI) often involves chronic pain, and is presumed service-connected for veterans who served in the Gulf War and manifested symptoms during their military service or by December 31, 2026. 

Rating You Condition

This condition may be a symptom of another condition–physical or mental–that is itself assigned a rating. For example, if the pain is attributable to a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, the condition is rated under Diagnostic Code 5025, within the Acute, Subacute or Chronic Diseases section of the musculoskeletal system schedules. Some other conditions commonly associated with this condition include degenerative arthritis, back injuries and neuropathy.

This condition may also cause or contribute to conditions such as depression and insomnia. In that case, the other condition may be considered secondary to the condition causing the chronic pain and assigned a separate disability rating. The VA will then use a formula to combine those ratings, potentially leading to a higher overall disability rating and increased VA disability benefits. 

Pursuing VA Disability for Chronic Pain

When you file a VA disability claim for this condition, it is important to make sure that you list all service-connected and secondary conditions, whether the condition is the underlying cause of the chronic pain, a condition secondary to that underlying condition, or a completely unrelated service-connected condition.

It’s also important to ensure that you can tie each condition to your military service or to a service-connected condition, and that you provide sufficient medical documentation to support an appropriate disability rating. 

Veterans Help Group can help. Our seasoned advocates have deep knowledge of the VA claims and appeals processes and can assist no matter where you are in the process. To learn more, call us at 855-855-8992 or fill out our contact form here.

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