Is Obesity Considered a VA Disability? 

You’ve probably heard a lot about the “obesity crisis” in the United States and all of the possible health risks associated with obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 40% of U.S. adults aged 20 or older are obese. That’s more than 100 million people.

What is Obesity?

Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above. Those with BMIs of 40 or above are considered “severely obese.” A person is generally classified as having a healthy body weight if their BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.9. 

BMI is not a perfect measure, and some experts caution against using it as the sole means of determining a healthy body weight. However, it is currently the generally accepted standard for diagnosing obesity. 

Does a Veteran Who is Obese Qualify for VA Disability Benefits? 

Obviously, not every person classified as obese is disabled. And, the VA does not have a rating schedule for obesity. But, there are several potentially service-connected conditions that have been linked to obesity and may qualify a veteran for disability benefits. These include: 

• Diabetes: Diabetes and obesity often go hand-in-hand. If you suffer from diabetes and your condition is service-connected, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits. Depending on the severity of the condition, the VA disability rating for diabetes may be as low as 10% or as high as 100%. 
• Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is also commonly associated with obesity. Service-connected sleep apnea may qualify a veteran for a VA disability rating of 0%, 30%, 50% or 100%. 
• Hypertension and heart disease: Many cardiovascular conditions are associated with obesity, and possible disability ratings range from 10% to 100%.

Note that service connection may work in either direction for these obesity-related conditions. For example, diabetes is presumed service-connected for veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange. But, obesity-induced diabetes may also be service-connected. For instance, diabetes may be secondarily service-connected if medication prescribed for treatment of a service-connected condition puts the veteran at increased risk for obesity and diabetes. 

Of course, this is only a partial list of conditions that may be obesity-related and may qualify a veteran for VA disability benefits. To learn more about whether you may be eligible, talk to an experienced VA disability benefits advocate. 

Veterans Help Group is Here for You

The advocates at Veterans Help Group work with disabled veterans and their families every day. We are committed to ensuring that you and your dependents receive the benefits you deserve. To learn more about how we can help, call  855-855-8992 or fill out our contact form. 

Read More About Your VA Disability Benefits

• Does GERD Qualify for VA Benefits?
• How Much VA Disability Will I Recieve?
• VA Disability Rating for Hypertension
• How To Get VA Disability And Social Security Disability Benefits
• Most Commonly Approved VA Claims