Noncompensable 0% VA Ratings – What They Are | CCK Law (2024)

Noncompensable 0% VA Ratings – What They Are | CCK Law (1)

Veterans with a 0 percent VA disability rating may not qualify for monthly disability compensation or back pay from VA, but 0 percent noncompensable ratings still matter. Continue reading to find out why noncompensable ratings are important.

What Is a Noncompensable VA Rating?

When VA grants service connection for a disability, it will assign a disability rating based on the presence and severity of the veteran’s symptoms. If a veteran has multiple service-connected conditions, each disability rating is then combined using“VA math”to determine the veteran’s combined rating. Combined disability ratings range from 0 to 100 percent in increments of 10 and correspond to a compensation amount. However, it is possible for a veteran to be service connected for a disability but not receive any monthly disability compensation. This occurs when VA assigns a veteran a noncompensable VA rating.

Noncompensable VA ratings are 0 percent ratings that VA might assign to veterans after they become service connected. A 0 percent rating does not result in any monthly compensation from VA.

When Are Noncompensable Ratings Assigned?

Noncompensable VA ratings can be assigned when a veteran is granted service connection for a condition but does not experience symptoms of that condition. In another scenario, a veteran could have symptoms due to their service-connected condition, but they are not severe enough to warrant a rating higher than 0 percent.

These ratings are important because VA, through granting service connection, is acknowledging that the veteran’s condition was caused or aggravated by their service.

How Are These Ratings Determined?

In determining how much compensation a veteran is eligible to receive, VA utilizes a rating schedule to assign specific ratings to each disability. Once a disability is established as service-connected, it will be rated at a specific percentage, based on the presence and severity of the veteran’s symptoms.

Ratings typically increase in increments of ten, but the requirements for each rating vary by diagnostic code.

Again, VA uses VA math when calculating combined disability ratings for disability claims. The combined rating determines the amount of monthly compensation.

To figure out your disability rating, you can use our Disability Calculator.

Noncompensable 0% VA Ratings – What They Are | CCK Law (2)

What Am I Eligible for With a Noncompensable Rating?

As mentioned above, with a noncompensable VA rating alone, veterans will not receive monthly disability compensation from VA. However, veteranscan be eligible for other benefitsfrom VA with a noncompensable rating.

Healthcare

Veterans with a noncompensable VA rating can be eligible for VA healthcare for their service-connected condition at no cost.

There are income limits to be eligiblefor no-cost healthcare, but veterans with a service-connected condition can still receive healthcare, they may just have to pay a copay.

Specifically, a veteran with a service-connected disability, but a 0 percent rating, is placed in a higher priority group for receiving VA Health Care.

For example, if the veteran is below certain income thresholds, the veteran could be enrolled in Priority Group 5. If the veteran’s income is not below the income threshold, the veteran will likely be enrolled no higher than Priority Group 7.

Travel Reimbursement

Veterans with a noncompensable VA rating are also eligible for reimbursement for costs associated with travel to appointments scheduled at a VA medical facility or a VA authorized healthcare facility.

Veterans can qualify for travel allowances if they are traveling for the treatment of a service-connected condition or traveling for a compensation and pension examination (C&P), among other situations. Veterans can qualify for travel allowances if they are traveling for things like:

  • Treatment of a service-connected condition
  • A compensation and pension examination (C&P)
  • Emergency services, such as riding in an ambulance

Other Benefits

Veterans with a noncompensable rating are also able to use:

  • Commissaries
  • Exchanges
  • Morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) retail facilities, in-person and online

Veterans may also receive a 10-point Veteran preference in federal hiring.

A full list of benefits available for each rating can be found on VA’s website.

Multiple Noncompensable Ratings

Some veterans may have multiple noncompensable ratings for different conditions.

In some cases, veterans can receive compensation for multiple noncompensable ratings.

According to38 C.F.R. 3.324: “Whenever a veteran is suffering from two or more separate permanent service-connected disabilities of such character as clearly to interfere with normal employability, even though none of the disabilities may be of compensable degree…the rating agency is authorized to apply a 10-percent rating, but not in combination with any other rating.”

In other words, for veterans with two or more noncompensable ratings for separate disabilities that interfere with “normal employability,” VA will apply a 10 percent rating. This allows veterans to obtain some compensation, no matter how little.

Filing for an Increased Rating for a Noncompensable Disability

If you believe that your condition is more severe than your assigned 0 percent rating, you can file a claim for an increased rating with VA.

Be sure to look at what rating criteria VA has rated you under to see if there is the possibility of obtaining a higher rating before filing for an increased rating.

You may also want to seek assistance from an accredited attorney who can guide you through the process and fight on your behalf.

Need Help Increasing Your Noncompensable Disability Rating?

Appealing a decision can be an arduous task, particularly when in pursuit of an increased rating. If you are struggling with the appeals process and applying for an increased rating, the CCK team may be able to help you. We have handled many VA disability cases and understand the appeals process. For a free case review, contact our office at 400-544-9144.

Noncompensable 0% VA Ratings – What They Are | CCK Law (2024)

FAQs

Noncompensable 0% VA Ratings – What They Are | CCK Law? ›

What a 0% Rating Means. A 0% rating is also referred to as a non-compensable VA rating. It means, the VA recognizes you have a service-connected disability, but your current condition isn't severe enough to qualify for monthly cash benefits.

What does a 0% VA rating get you? ›

Understanding the 0% Rating:

In simpler terms, the VA acknowledges your condition but doesn't deem it serious enough to provide compensation. While you won't receive direct payments for a 0% rating, there are some significant benefits: 1. Free VA medical care for the disability rated at 0%.

What is a noncompensable evaluation? ›

If you receive a 0% disability rating for a service-connected condition, we call this a non-compensable disability. It means you can't get disability compensation (payments) for this condition. But you may be eligible for other VA benefits.

How do I increase my VA 0% rating? ›

How Do I Increase My VA Disability Rating?
  1. Filing an appeal within VA's deadlines.
  2. Filing a new claim for an increased rating.
  3. Filing for TDIU, or total disability based on individual unemployability.
  4. Filing for secondary service connection.

How do I appeal an 0 VA rating? ›

You can request a Board Appeal in any of these 5 ways.
  1. Option 1: Online. You can request a Board Appeal online right now. ...
  2. Option 2: By mail. Fill out a Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement) (VA Form 10182). ...
  3. Option 3: In person. ...
  4. Option 4: By fax. ...
  5. Option 5: With the help of a trained professional.
Jul 23, 2024

What does 0 impairment rating mean? ›

In the AMA Guides, “[a] 0% whole person (WP) impairment rating is assigned to an individual with an impairment if the impairment has no significant organ or body system functional consequences and does not limit the performance of the common activities of daily living indicated in Table 1-2.” [emphasis added.]

What is the 70-40 rule for VA disability? ›

All of the following must apply in order for a veteran to be eligible for TDIU benefits under this rule: You have more than one service-related mental or physical condition. At least one of your service-related disabilities has a VA disability rating of 40% or higher. Your combined disability rating is 70% or higher.

What conditions automatically qualify you for VA disability? ›

What conditions are covered by these benefits?
  • Chronic (long-lasting) back pain resulting in a current diagnosed back disability.
  • Breathing problems resulting from a current lung condition or lung disease.
  • Severe hearing loss.
  • Scar tissue.
  • Loss of range of motion (problems moving your body)
  • Ulcers.
Aug 15, 2023

Can the VA deny a presumptive disability? ›

It is quite possible for a veteran to have one or more presumptive conditions and still be denied VA disability benefits. This result is due to the fact that having a qualifying disability condition is only one part of a successful VA disability claim.

What is the easiest disability to get from the VA? ›

  • Tinnitus. Tinnitus is a constant ringing, droning, or buzzing in the ears and is one of the most common service-connected disabilities among veterans. ...
  • Sciatica. ...
  • Cervical Strain. ...
  • Limited Arm Mobility and Pain. ...
  • Migraines.

What are the three new VA presumptive conditions? ›

VA extends presumptions of service connection for three new cancer types
  • Male breast cancer.
  • Urethral cancer.
  • Cancer of the paraurethral glands.
Jun 14, 2024

When my husband dies, will I get his VA disability? ›

Unfortunately, your spouse cannot receive your VA disability compensation after you die. However, they may get a monthly allowance if they qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. If you lived in government housing, VA might also allow them to stay in residence for up to a year.

What percentage of VA appeals are successful? ›

After filing an application for benefits, you will receive a decision from the VA. You then have several options for filing an appeal. The typical success rate for these appeals ranges from 34 to 38%, with slightly higher numbers for people who have legal representation for the veterans disability appeals process.

Can a VA doctor increase my disability rating? ›

This can be from either the VA doctor or a private doctor. You can file your increase request on VA.GOV or by filling out a VA Form 21-526b. If you have medical information from a private doctor, you must submit a VA Form 21-4142, which authorizes that doctor to share information with the VA.

What VA claims can they not prove? ›

If you have a presumptive condition, you do not need to prove that your service caused the condition.

What is a 0 rating for hypertension? ›

Your hypertension must be rated at 10 percent or higher to receive monthly compensation— though a 0 percent rating still qualifies you for health care and other ancillary benefits. Your rating depends on your blood pressure reading.

What does 10% VA disability entitle me to? ›

The monthly payment for disability compensation is available for Veterans who have a disability rating of 10% or more. A rating of 10% or more also gives you access for life to free or low-cost health care through VA.

How much is the PACT Act payout? ›

Based on current compensation rates, a single veteran with no children and a 60% disability rating may be entitled to over $1,000 in compensation per month. This amount increases to over $3,000 with a 100% VA disability rating.

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