VA Depression Secondary to Chronic Pain Rating: What You Need to Know (2023)

FAQs

How does the VA rate depression secondary to chronic pain? ›

The Veteran receives a disability rating for their depression secondary to back pain of 20%. The VA calculates the 20% of the 30% disabled rating above. That is, 20% of 30% is six percent. Adding up 30 and six equals 36%.

Chronic pain can result in other serious, secondary conditions. One of these is depression. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) considers depression a ratable illness, and it's possible for veterans to file a claim for disability benefits if they suffer from depression as a secondary condition.

When physical pain causes depression the VA may grant a secondary rating for Depression from Chronic Daily Pain. The foundation of the Chronic Daily Pain Claim must be physical pain. Tinnitus or hearing loss does not qualify.

100% VA Rating for Depression

This is difficult to obtain because the symptoms need to be so severe that they totally impair the veteran's life, to the point they are unable to function. The jump from 70 to 100 percent is significant. There is a substantial decline in cognitive and emotional function.

Another two conditions that I think we commonly see secondary to depression include restless leg syndrome and erectile dysfunction. So, perhaps you can walk us through those two conditions. Alex Gamache: Yeah, so regarding the first one of restless leg syndrome.

The VA defines clinical depression as a condition “characterized by low self-esteem, lack of motivation, lack of interest in social activities, and low energy levels,” and it's a common issue for veterans after they're discharged from service.

Yes. The VA allows Veterans to receive disability benefits for secondary conditions, provided they can tie those secondary conditions to their service-connected injury or illness. In this example, a Veteran would have to prove that their secondary condition was caused because of their knee pain or injury.

The bottom line? Sleep apnea and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression are oftentimes more connected than Veterans assume. Because of this, sleep apnea often qualifies as a secondary condition to depression or anxiety — and vice versa.

Chronic pain (sometimes known as long-term pain or persistent pain) is pain that lasts for more than 3 months. Pain can be secondary to (caused by) an underlying condition (for example, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, endometriosis). Chronic pain can also be primary.

Table 2: Prevalence of depression in patients with chronic pain. The lifetime prevalence of depression in chronic pain patients was also estimated in two other studies. The result increased from 12% to 32% in the first study and 32.4% to 56.8% in the second study [7].

Is depression a permanent disability VA? ›

100% Individual Unemployability (TDIU)

In some cases, a veteran's depression and anxiety are so severe that they are unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. Here, veterans can apply for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) benefits.

Some of the more common secondary conditions include depression, hypertension, chronic pain, skin sores, fractures, contractures, urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, unwanted weight gain, excessive fatigue, and social isolation (Simeonsson & McDevitt, 1999).

A 70 percent rating, may be assigned for occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, due to such symptoms as: suicidal ideation; obsessional rituals which interfere with routine activities; speech intermittently illogical, ...

Depression VA Ratings depend on the severity of a veteran's mental health symptoms, meaning, the more severe your symptoms, the higher the VA rating for Depression. The average VA Rating for Depression is currently at 70%, but veterans can be rated from 0% to 100% with breaks at 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%.

The Veteran receives SMC benefits based on loss of use of both lower extremities with additional independent 100 percent rating for depression; this includes compensation for regular aid and attendance.

The DSM-5 outlines the following criterion to make a diagnosis of depression. The individual must be experiencing five or more symptoms during the same 2-week period and at least one of the symptoms should be either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.

The Difference Between Primary and Secondary Depression

In primary depression, symptoms are often more severe and more persistent. This type of depression tends to run in families. Secondary depression occurs because of something. For adults with ADHD, it can develop after years of low-self esteem.

Anxiety may occur as a symptom of clinical (major) depression. It's also common to have depression that's triggered by an anxiety disorder, such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder or separation anxiety disorder. Many people have a diagnosis of both an anxiety disorder and clinical depression.

Basically, the VA can reevaluate your disability rating every 2 to 5 years unless your rating is permanent or protected. Depending on the results of the reexamination and reevaluation, you may see a reduced rating.

Erectile dysfunction is rated under 38 C.F.R. § 4.115b, Diagnostic Code 7522. Under DC 7522 a 20 percent rating is warranted for deformity of the penis with loss of erectile power. This is the sole disability rating provided under this diagnostic code provision.

How does the VA test for anxiety? ›

A VA rating for anxiety, depression, and/or adjustment disorder is stated as a percentage, from 0% to 100%. These ratings mainly look at your occupational and social functioning, although your ability to take care of yourself (hygiene, grooming) is also considered.

Other Orthopedic Conditions

For example, knee pain may cause you to favor one leg over the other. The extra stress on the favored leg can then lead to new issues such as hip injuries, foot injuries, or ankle injuries.

Veterans who experience chronic pain due to fibromyalgia may become less active and more withdrawn, which can lead to depression. Veterans who develop depression secondary to fibromyalgia may be eligible for VA compensation. VA rates depression using the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

VA payments can increase because of a VA rating increase on a worsened or secondary disability, or because of an increase in the VA compensation rate. The VA then calculates and pays out any retroactive VA disability back pay owed to you.

Depression and sleep problems are closely linked. People with insomnia , for example, may have a tenfold higher risk of developing depression than people who get a good night's sleep. And among people with depression, 75 percent have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

A veteran whose psychiatric condition causes insomnia can qualify for insomnia as a secondary service-connected condition. If a veteran is service-connected for insomnia and then develops depression related to their lack of sleep, they may be eligible for VA disability benefits for depression on a secondary basis.

Insomnia, in particular terminal insomnia, is classically associated with major depressive disorder. The relationship between insomnia and mood symptoms is bidirectional in that poor sleep can precede an episode of major depressive disorder, and depressed mood can disrupt normal sleep patterns.

Examples of chronic secondary pain are chronic pain related to cancer, surgery, injury, internal disease, disease in the muscles, bones or joints, headaches or nerve damage.

Chronic pain

It can be constant or intermittent. For example, headaches can be considered chronic pain when they continue over many months or years – even if the pain isn't always present. Chronic pain is often due to a health condition, like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or a spine condition.

Is there a medication that treats both depression and pain? ›

Tricyclic antidepressants are the most common type of antidepressant used for pain. They include: Amitriptyline. Nortriptyline (Pamelor)

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) has long been believed to be a disorder that produces the most intense emotional pain and distress in those who have this condition. Studies have shown that borderline patients experience chronic and significant emotional suffering and mental agony.

Approximately 1/2 to 2/3 of all patients diagnosed with chronic pain manifest to various levels of psychological distress.

If your application is approved, your secondary condition will be rated with the VASRD (Veteran Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities) scale that is used to apply ratings to all disabilities based on the severity of symptoms.

You can file a secondary claim to get more disability benefits for a new disability that's linked to a service-connected disability you already have. For example, you might file a secondary claim if you: Develop arthritis that's caused by a service-connected knee injury you got while on active duty, or.

For people with disabilities, it also means knowing that health problems related to a disability can be treated. These problems (also called secondary conditions) can include pain, depression, and a greater risk for certain illnesses.

Based on the results of the exam, your disability rating may increase, decrease, or stay the same. Once you turn 55, you are typically "protected" and will no longer have to attend an exam to prove that your condition has not changed unless there is reason to suspect fraud. This is sometimes called the 55-year rule.

A greater number of incapacitating episodes are associated with a higher VA disability chronic back pain rating. The rating percentages fall between 10% and 60%.

Veterans that obtain an 80 percent VA Disability rating receive $1,933.15 a month from the Veterans Administration. Eligible disabled veterans may also be able to receive extra monthly compensation for dependent children and parents.

Can you get VA Dbq for chronic pain? ›

VA does not have a specific diagnostic code or rating criteria for chronic pain. To receive VA disability benefits for chronic pain, the symptoms resulting must be ratable. In other words, VA assigns ratings based on the functional impact from the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, depressed mood, and headaches has been rated as 50 percent disabling throughout the appeal period. Disability ratings are based upon VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities as set forth in 38 C.F.R. Part 4.

The elevated risk of depression persists after a person's military service ends. Veterans, particularly those who have served in combat, have experienced more trauma in their life than non-veterans. Research shows the following: Depression affects 20% of veterans.

The VA relies on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to rate all mental health conditions. As long as a veteran's symptoms meet the frequency, duration and severity outlined in the DSM-5, they should receive a diagnosis of depression.

Receiving Back Pay

If a veteran does not receive special monthly compensation when they apply for VA benefits, a successful appeal may entitlement them to back pay of the compensation they should have received while their claim was pending.

70% VA Rating for Depression and Anxiety

The 70 percent disability rating criterion for depression and anxiety is the most inclusive insofar as it represents a wide array of symptoms, including a progression of symptoms noted in the lower disability ratings.

If your application is approved, your secondary condition will be rated with the VASRD (Veteran Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities) scale that is used to apply ratings to all disabilities based on the severity of symptoms.

VA Ratings for Chronic Pain

So, veterans don't receive a VA disability rating for chronic pain specifically. In order to receive VA disability compensation for chronic pain, the symptoms caused by the chronic pain disorder must be ratable. For example, oftentimes a veteran's chronic pain will cause depression.

The bottom line? Sleep apnea and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression are oftentimes more connected than Veterans assume. Because of this, sleep apnea often qualifies as a secondary condition to depression or anxiety — and vice versa.

Which is not a symptom of depression? ›

During a depressed period, you may feel sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities. But then it will switch to a period of mania, when you feel euphoric, energetic, or irritable. Those are not symptoms of clinical depression.

All secondary conditions or conditions caused by military exposure/circumstances not included on the Presumptive List benefit from a Nexus Letter supporting the claim.

A secondary condition can influence the disability rating that a Veteran receives from the VA. If a Veteran is suffering from mental or physical problems stemming from a service-related disability, these problems can lead to an increase in the disability rating that the Veteran receives from the VA.