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What is functional impairment, and how does it impact your VA disability benefits claim?

A lot of veterans focus on getting a diagnosis for their VA disability benefits claim, but it's not always enough to secure compensation. There's another highly important factor to consider: functional impairment.


Learning what functional impairment means and how it impacts your VA disability benefits claim is a vital component in getting the benefits you deserve. It can make a massive difference in the outcome of your claim.


Here's what functional impairment means, and how it factors into your VA disability benefits claim:


What functional impairment means

Basically, functional impairment refers to how much a condition affects your ability to function in your day-to-day life. This can range from your ability to work to performing personal care, mobility, and other common physical or mental tasks.


Having a diagnosis is one thing, but…

… The VA is honestly way more concerned with how much your condition impacts you rather than the name of the condition. And that is why proving functional impairment is key.


Two veterans can have the same exact diagnosis, but get rated differently due to functional impairment.


This is why there's no such thing as "easy" service-connected conditions – every veteran's VA disability benefits claim process depends entirely on their individual case and records. Presumptives are the only exception to this (instances where service-connection is granted automatically due to a veteran's presence in a certain location, such as Gulf War presumptives).


What the VA considers when looking at functional impairment

When the VA reviews your VA disability benefits claim, they're looking at a few different things. In order to arrive at a service-connection rating, the VA may consider:


  • Physical movement limitations

  • Chronic pain and its impact

  • Symptom severity and frequency

  • Impact on employment status

  • Mental health impact


Examples of functional impairment in veterans

Here are a few examples of how functional impairment can present for different common service-connected conditions that many veterans face:


  • A veteran with PTSD may experience debilitating anxiety, leading them to stay at home more than usual. This makes it hard for them to maintain their daily routines.


  • A veteran with tinnitus may struggle to focus at work, with other symptoms leading to mental health complications that affect their personal and professional life.


  • A veteran with a service-connected knee injury may struggle with mobility and exercise, leading to a decline in their daily movements and activities.


What about Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU)?

In order to receive Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU), it's important to document functional impairment. This is because TDIU is essentially saying the veteran is not rated at 100% but their condition is so severe that it prevents them from obtaining gainful employment.


This piece of functional impairment helps explain to the VA why you should be rated at 100% even though you're not calculated at that level with your service-connected conditions. Mental health qualifies for this as well.


Learn more about TDIU here.


Document your functional impairment for a strong VA disability benefits claim

Your story deserves to be heard properly by the VA. At MRPY Professional Services, we help veterans prove their conditions to the VA through Nexus Letters, DBQs, and other additional services to boost your claim.


How do we work with veterans? It's simple:




 
 
 
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