For veterans who have been awarded disability benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), an important question often arises: Does a VA disability rating help with a Social Security Disability (SSD) claim?
The short answer is yes, a VA disability award can be relevant to your Social Security Disability claim, but it does not automatically qualify you for Social Security Disability benefits.
The VA and the Social Security Administration (SSA) have different rules, standards, and definitions of disability. Understanding those differences is critical when evaluating your claim.
VA Disability and Social Security Disability Use Different Standards
The VA generally evaluates the extent to which a service-connected condition affects a veteran and assigns a disability rating based on that impairment. Social Security, however, focuses on whether your medical conditions prevent you from performing substantial gainful work and are expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death.
As a result, a veteran may have a significant VA disability rating and still be denied Social Security Disability benefits. Conversely, someone could qualify for SSD benefits even though their VA disability rating is lower.
Your VA disability rating is therefore not proof by itself that you are disabled under Social Security's rules.
Your VA Records May Still Be Important
Although a VA disability award does not guarantee Social Security benefits, the medical evidence underlying that award may be highly relevant to an SSD claim.
VA medical records can contain valuable objective information about diagnoses, treatment history, symptoms, imaging, laboratory testing, surgeries, medications, and functional limitations. These records may help establish the nature and severity of your medical conditions.
The key question for Social Security is not simply, “What is your VA disability rating?” Instead, the analysis asks how your medical conditions affect your ability to function and, ultimately, your ability to work.
For example, limitations involving standing, walking, lifting, concentrating, interacting with others, maintaining attendance, or performing tasks consistently may be important when evaluating an SSD claim.
A 100% VA Rating Does Not Automatically Mean You Will Receive SSD
It is understandable for a veteran with a 100% VA disability rating to assume that Social Security will reach the same conclusion. Unfortunately, the two systems do not work that way.
Even a substantial VA disability rating does not eliminate the need to establish eligibility under Social Security's requirements. Your claim still needs to be supported by appropriate medical and vocational evidence.
That does not mean your VA award is irrelevant. It means that the underlying evidence needs to be evaluated in the context of Social Security's rules.
An Attorney Can Help Evaluate the Bigger Picture
Every disability claim is different. A VA rating, by itself, cannot tell you whether you have a strong Social Security Disability claim.
An experienced Social Security Disability attorney can review your medical records, VA decision, work history, treatment history, symptoms, and functional limitations to determine how the evidence fits within Social Security's disability requirements.
Most importantly, a skilled attorney can evaluate the objective facts of your individual case and provide an educated, personalized assessment of your potential SSD claim. This can help you understand both the strengths of your case and any weaknesses that may need additional evidence.
If you have already been awarded VA disability benefits and are considering applying for Social Security Disability, do not assume that your VA rating guarantees approval, but do not assume it has no value either. The details matter.
A VA disability award may be one important piece of your disability claim. The question is how that evidence fits together with the rest of your medical and vocational history under Social Security's rules.
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