Hidden Disabilities Keeping Veterans from Higher Compensation
- CMTJ, LLC
- Jul 23
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 25
You Served. You Sacrificed. You Deserve Every Dollar. But what if the VA doesn’t see the full picture?
Thousands of Veterans live with hidden disabilities - conditions that either weren’t properly documented during their initial claim, or have developed over time as secondary conditions to existing service-connected injuries. These hidden or misunderstood issues often mean Veterans are leaving money on the table without even realizing it.
What Are Hidden Disabilities?
“Hidden” doesn’t mean unimportant. It means underdiagnosed, underreported, or undercompensated. These can include:
Mental Health Conditions: PTSD, anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorders are often overlooked or minimized. Many Veterans don’t realize these qualify for compensation — or that symptoms getting worse could justify a higher rating.
Secondary Conditions: Chronic pain, migraines, radiculopathy, sleep apnea, or even GERD linked to medications or injuries you already have a rating for.
Invisible Injuries: Tinnitus, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or long-term effects of toxic exposure from burn pits or Agent Orange.
Degenerative or Worsening Conditions: Arthritis, mobility issues, or complications that have intensified with age.
Why You Might Not Be Getting the Compensation You Deserve
Even if you have an active rating, many Veterans don’t know they can apply for an increase if their condition has worsened. Others were underrated from the start due to poor documentation or missing evidence.
Some common reasons Veterans miss out:
They never claimed secondary conditions.
They think a denial is the end of the road.
They’re unsure how to prove worsening symptoms.
They assume the VA will automatically update their rating (spoiler: they won’t).
What You Can Do About It
✅ Revisit your current rating decision and look at your medical records.
✅ Talk to a VSO (Veteran Service Officer) or experienced claim specialist.
✅ File for an increase or secondary claim with strong evidence.
✅ Don’t give up after a denial—reapply or appeal.
You Deserve Full Recognition — Not the Bare Minimum.
At Increase Your VA Benefits, we specialize in helping Veterans like you uncover what the VA missed. If you’re living with a condition tied to your service — even indirectly — you might qualify for much more than you’re receiving now.
Let’s find out what’s possible.
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