Based on 8 rated conditions · 2026 VA rates, veteran alone, no dependents · Range reflects minimum and maximum plausible outcomes contingent on C&P exam findings.
100% Tax-Free · Federal & State
Year One
$21,701 – $28,348
Annual tax-free benefit at current rates
10-Year Projection
$260K – $340K
Assumes modest annual COLA adjustments
Lifetime (40 yr)
$1.3M – $1.7M
Plus ancillary benefits: healthcare, education, home loan
8
Potential claims identified in record
Key findings
A 2016 IED blast in Helmand Province is the anchor event driving the majority of claims — directly responsible for the documented lumbar fracture, TBI, and bilateral hearing loss. Sleep apnea is the single highest-value claim at a fixed 50% rating ($1,102/mo alone) if CPAP use is verified. Combined with TBI (10–70%), PTSD (30–70%), and tinnitus at a guaranteed 10%, this record supports a strong multi-condition claim package.
Service-connected claims8
Lumbar spine fracture with chronic low back pain
DC 5235 · 38 CFR §4.71a
L3 compression fracture sustained in IED blast (Oct 2016), documented continuously across three commands with X-ray, CT, and MRI imaging all on file. Persistent pain rated 6/10 at separation physical. The clear in-service event, imaging corroboration, and unbroken continuity of care make this a direct service connection under 38 CFR §3.303. Rating will depend on range of motion measured at C&P exam.
The following criteria will be evaluated during your Compensation & Pension (C&P) examination.
10%Forward flexion greater than 60° but not greater than 85°; or combined ROM greater than 120° but not greater than 235°; or muscle spasm/guarding not resulting in abnormal gait
20%Forward flexion greater than 30° but not greater than 60°; or combined ROM not greater than 120°; or muscle spasm severe enough to result in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour
40%Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30° or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine
50%Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine
100%Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine (thoracolumbar and cervical combined)
Traumatic brain injury (mild TBI) with residual headaches
DC 8045 · 38 CFR §4.124a
Diagnosed with mild TBI following loss of consciousness at blast site. Neuropsychological evaluation confirmed deficits in processing speed and working memory. Persistent headaches documented at 3–4 per week in follow-up notes through separation. Rating is determined by the most severe facet across 10 neurological domains evaluated at the C&P exam.
Direct §3.303 — blast-related LOCBlast event in medical record (Oct 2016)Neuropsychology evaluation (Feb 2017)Cognitive deficits on standardized testingHeadache medication prescribed
The following criteria will be evaluated during your Compensation & Pension (C&P) examination.
10%Mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication
40%Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity; disturbances of motivation and mood; headaches occurring more than once per week
70%Occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas including work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood
100%Total occupational and social impairment, with one or more facets of cognitive impairment, emotional/behavioral dysfunction, or physical impairment rated at the “total” level
Tinnitus
DC 6260 · 38 CFR §4.87
Tinnitus reported at post-deployment health reassessment and again at separation physical. MOS 0311 Infantry Rifleman involves continuous exposure to weapons fire, explosives, and heavy vehicle noise. This is among the most consistently granted VA claims for combat infantry veterans — always rated at 10% as a standalone condition.
Direct §3.303 — acoustic trauma, MOS 0311Post-deployment PDHRA documentationReported at separation physical (2020)
The following criteria will be evaluated during your Compensation & Pension (C&P) examination.
10%Recurrent tinnitus. This is the only rating available under DC 6260 — the maximum evaluation is 10%, whether unilateral or bilateral.
Sleep apnea (obstructive)
DC 6847 · 38 CFR §4.97
Referred to sleep clinic prior to separation with Epworth Sleepiness Scale score of 19/24 (severe). Home sleep study confirmed OSA requiring CPAP. If CPAP use is verified at C&P exam, VA assigns a fixed 50% rating — making this the single highest-value claim in this record. Can also be argued as secondary to TBI under 38 CFR §3.310.
Direct §3.303 / Secondary §3.310 to TBIEpworth score 19/24 (severe)Sleep study confirming OSACPAP prescribed at separation
The following criteria will be evaluated during your Compensation & Pension (C&P) examination.
50%Requires use of breathing assistance device such as continuous airway pressure (CPAP) machine
100%Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or requires tracheostomy
PTSD — combat stressor
DC 9411 · 38 CFR §4.130
PTSD diagnosis confirmed at post-deployment mental health evaluation. PCL-5 score of 52 at separation. Documented stressor: IED blast resulting in casualty of fellow Marines. Sleep disturbance, hypervigilance, avoidance behaviors, and intrusive thoughts documented across multiple clinical notes. Prescribed sertraline and referred to behavioral health.
Direct §3.304(f) — combat stressor, in-service diagnosisPCL-5 score 52 at separationPTSD diagnosis confirmedSertraline prescribed
The following criteria will be evaluated during your Compensation & Pension (C&P) examination.
10%Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency only during periods of significant stress, or symptoms controlled by continuous medication
30%Occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency; depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss
50%Reduced reliability and productivity; panic attacks more than once a week; impaired short- and long-term memory; difficulty maintaining effective work and social relationships
70%Deficiencies in most areas including work, family relations, judgment, and mood; near-continuous panic or depression; impaired impulse control
100%Total occupational and social impairment: gross impairment in thought processes or communication; persistent delusions or hallucinations; grossly inappropriate behavior; persistent danger of hurting self or others
Lumbosacral radiculopathy (secondary to lumbar fracture)
DC 8520 · 38 CFR §4.124a
Radiating pain and paresthesias in the left lower extremity documented beginning in 2018, two years after the L3 fracture. MRI confirmed left-sided disc protrusion at L3–L4 with nerve root impingement. Nexus to the service-connected lumbar fracture is established under secondary service connection (38 CFR §3.310).
Secondary §3.310 — caused by service-connected lumbar fractureMRI L-spine — L3-L4 disc protrusionPositive straight leg raise documentedDiminished patellar reflex, left
The following criteria will be evaluated during your Compensation & Pension (C&P) examination.
10%Mild incomplete paralysis — minor neurological findings, paresthesias only with no demonstrable deficit on examination
20%Moderate incomplete paralysis — muscle weakness, pain, and paresthesias with some functional limitation; abnormal neurological findings
40%Moderately severe incomplete paralysis — marked muscle atrophy, significant loss of reflexes, sensory loss, material functional impairment
60%Severe incomplete paralysis with marked muscular atrophy
80%Complete paralysis — the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee; flexion of the knee weakened or (very rarely) lost
Tax-free, paid monthly
VA disability compensation is exempt from federal and state income tax. The dollar figure you see is what lands in your account.
Retroactive to filing date
When your claim is approved, the VA pays back-pay to the date you filed — often a five-figure lump sum on top of monthly benefits.
Unlocks ancillary benefits
At 30%+: dependent allowances. At 50%+: no-copay VA healthcare. At 100%: property tax exemption, Dependents' Educational Assistance, and more.
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