VA Disability Conditions Guide
Veterans often begin by researching a specific diagnosis, but strong VA claims depend on more than the condition name alone. Service connection theory, secondary relationships, medical evidence, symptom severity, continuity, and credible supporting statements all affect whether a claim succeeds or fails.
Last reviewed: May 9, 2026 · Educational hub — not legal or medical advice
Quick Access to Common VA Claim Topics
You can jump directly to the condition guide most relevant to your case. Understanding secondary service connection documentation and what makes a strong nexus letter is often critical for complex claims. If you're unsure whether your case requires a medical nexus opinion, determine when a nexus letter is necessary.
These pages are educational resources designed to help veterans better understand evidence organization, service connection documentation, and documentation roadmaps. Clear files are rarely built on diagnosis alone. They are built on coherent supporting-document frameworks, organized evidence, credible medical reasoning, and a presentation reviewers can follow. For a broader education hub, visit our VA Claims Resource Guide.
Related guides & tools (topic cluster)
- What evidence you need for a VA claim — records, medical opinions, and lay statements.
- Claim-evidence checklist — organize before you file or pursue a post-decision path.
- VA disability calculator — estimate combined ratings using VA math.
- Increase your VA rating — evidence paths when symptoms worsen.
- After a VA denial — post-decision administrative lanes and next steps.
- Mental health VA claims — PTSD, depression, anxiety, and evidence themes.
- VA C&P exam guide — what to expect and how exams affect your claim.
- Disability ratings explained — VA math, combined ratings, and increases.
- Ménière's disease VA claim — inner ear, balance, and hearing overlap with other conditions.
Explore VA Disability Conditions
Explore condition-specific documentation guides and learn how supporting-document frameworks, medical evidence, symptom severity, and organized records affect how easy your case is to review.
Featured Conditions
Sleep Apnea / OSA
Educational overview of secondary service connection documentation for sleep apnea claims.
PTSD
Understand stressor documentation and common medical-opinion documentation themes for PTSD.
Tinnitus
Learn how to organize noise exposure records and service connection documentation for tinnitus.
Hearing Loss
Navigate 38 CFR 3.385, audiograms, Maryland CNC, rating tables, and post-decision documentation education for hearing loss claims.
All Conditions
Migraines
Document frequency, severity, and functional impact for migraine claims.
GERD
Organize direct and secondary service connection documentation for reflux claims.
Back Pain
Organize imaging, specialist records, and medical-opinion documentation for back claims.
Knee Pain
Document injury mechanism and functional limitations for knee claims.
Plantar Fasciitis
Connect foot conditions through service duties and biomechanics documentation.
IBS
Organize gastrointestinal claims with secondary connection documentation themes.
Radiculopathy
Organize nerve damage documentation with EMG studies and specialist records.
Depression
Organize mental health claims with treatment history and supporting medical documentation.
Anxiety
Document symptom severity and service connection documentation for anxiety disorders.
Vertigo
Organize dizziness and balance disorder documentation with vestibular testing.
Ménière's Disease
Organize inner ear disorder documentation with specialist evaluations and medical opinions.
Estimate Your Combined Rating
How could these conditions affect your overall VA rating?
Use the VA disability calculator to estimate how this rating may combine with your other service-connected conditions.
Use the VA Disability CalculatorReady to organize your documentation?
Book educational consulting for evidence organization, documentation-readiness review, and referral coordination to independent providers when appropriate — not legal representation.
Book Your Free VA Claim Consultation →