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Conditions that the VA will NOT Rate

There are various situations/conditions that the VA will NOT rate.

Wilful Misconduct or Dishonorable Conduct

If a condition is a direct result of wilful misconduct or occurred during a period of dishonorable conduct the VA will NOT grant service-connection.

Examples include but are not limited to:

  • Conditions established while in AWOL or deserter status;

  • Drunk driving;

  • Attacking a brick wall in a fit of rage, breaking your hand; or

  • Having a sword/pistol duel on the PT field.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • Getting hurt while on AD from say playing sports or something that could be considered an accident is NOT wilful misconduct!

Intellectual and Personality Disorders

Intellectual and Personality Disorders are generally considered to be something a person is born with, not something that develops due to service. (Having a large genetic or hereditary component, with negligible environmental factors.)

So yes, while being an asshole may negatively impact your ability to hold a job; It in and of itself, is NOT ratable by the VA.

EXCEPTIONS:

  • Because of this, the VA does NOT consider these disorders as diseases or injuries for compensation purposes, except when they are the result of another service-connected disability such as a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI); and

  • If the condition got worse due to your service or a service-connected condition (Aggravated) it CAN be rated.

NOTE:

  • If service-connected, the VA will NOT issue secondary service-connection from any disabilities that are a result of these disorders, the exception being if the Veteran has another mental disorder that is service connected.

Congenital or Genetic Conditions

These are conditions that you were born with.

Examples include but are not limited to:

  • Male pattern baldness;

  • Missing or having extra parts;

  • Personality disorders; and

  • Poor eyesight.

EXCEPTIONS:

  • If the condition manifests during your service after the time period medical science has determined it should have developed. It CAN be rated.

  • If the condition got worse due to your service or a service-connected condition (Aggravated) it CAN be rated.

  • Active Duty service members who serve for at least 8 years (APPLIES TO DoD Medboards ONLY!).

Conditions Caused by Substance Abuse or Impulse Control

Examples include but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol abuse;

  • Illicit drug usage;

  • Tobacco usage; or

  • Overeating (obesity).

EXCEPTIONS:

Lab Findings

Some diagnosed conditions are considered lab findings by the VA. Meaning, that they are not an actually disabling condition.

These typically are usually detected during routine lab testing (blood work) or as things noticed during other diagnostic tests such as an X-Ray or MRI.

But these conditions themselves have either not become severe enough to manifest into more severe conditions.

Common lab finding are fatty liver or pre-diabetes. Both while diagnosed conditions, are themselves not disabilities and as such CANNOT be given service-connection.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • Even though a lab finding itself cannot get service connection. Service connection CAN be granted for conditions the lab finding causes so long as the lab finding is favorably linked to service.

However, it is best practice to simply claim the disability directly.

For example:

You have low testosterone which has been linked as the cause of your erectile dysfunction. You would claim the erectile dysfunction and state it is caused by your low testosterone via (link to service). So possibly as due to TERA exposures for instance.

References