VA Disability for Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic Conditions
Did your military service take a toll on your body?
We can help you get the benefits you deserve
- Written By Attorney Troy Bouk
Not all service-related injuries are visible. For many veterans, the most lasting damage is to their joints, bones, spine, and muscles — and the chronic pain and limited mobility they live with every day. These conditions are real, and they deserve full recognition from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
FAQs about VA Benefits for Orthopedic Conditions...
The Lasting Impact of Musculoskeletal Injuries on Veterans
Military life takes a toll on the body. Whether you endured years of physical strain, carried heavy packs, suffered a training accident, or experienced combat-related trauma, the impact doesn’t end when service does.
Musculoskeletal and orthopedic injuries are among the most frequently claimed VA disabilities, yet the VA often undervalues or denies these claims—especially when:
- Pain worsens slowly over time
- Medical documentation is incomplete
- Range of motion tests don’t reflect flare-ups
- Chronic conditions are misclassified as “minor”
At Bouk Law, PLLC, we understand how these injuries affect your career, independence, and daily life. We help veterans fight for the compensation they deserve for joint deterioration, limited mobility, spinal injuries, and more.
Spine Disorders
The VA provides disability coverage for spine disorders, recognizing the significant impact these conditions can have on a veteran’s life. Demanding physical requirements such as carrying heavy packs and intense training often leads to back and neck injuries that can develop into chronic and disabling spine conditions. Chronic back and neck injuries may develop slowly but often result in long-term pain, stiffness, and nerve damage. Examples of service-connected spine conditions eligible for VA disability benefits include:
- Spinal arthritis
- Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain (chronic back or neck pain)
- Degenerative Disc Disease (spinal disc deterioration)
- Herniated Disc (bulging or ruptured discs pressing on nerves)
- Spinal Stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Spondylolisthesis
Shoulder, Arm, Elbow & Forearm Conditions
Over time, repetitive movements and heavy lifting can cause serious wear and tear on your shoulders, arms, elbows, and forearms — often leading to reduced range of motion, chronic joint pain and long-term joint damage. If you have suffered any of the following service conditions, you may be eligible for VA disability compensation.
- Rotator Cuff Injuries or Impingement
- Recurrent Shoulder Dislocation
- Clavicle or Scapula Malalignment
- Limited Elbow Movement
- Flail or Fused Elbow (nonfunctional joint)
Wrist, Hand & Finger Conditions
Hand and wrist injuries can significantly impair everyday tasks and fine motor skills. Veterans suffering from these injuries may be eligible for compensation through the VA. These injuries include:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Wrist Instability or Stiffness
- Trigger Finger (locking or catching)
- Partial or Full Amputations
Hip, Thigh, Knee & Leg Conditions
Heavy gear, long marches, and jump-related trauma often lead to persistent lower-body pain and reduced mobility. At Bouk Law, PLLC, we understand how these injuries affect your career, independence, and daily life. If you suffer from any of the following conditions, you may be eligible for compensation.
- Hip Bursitis or Limited Mobility
- Femur Malalignment
- Knee Instability (ACL/MCL tears)
- Meniscus Tears
- Degenerative Knee Arthritis
- Tibia/Fibula Malunion
- Total Hip or Knee Replacements
Ankle & Foot Conditions
Injuries to the feet or ankles can permanently affect balance, posture, and endurance. Veterans experiencing any of the following service-connected injuries may be eligible for compensation through the VA.
- Chronic Ankle Sprains
- Ankle Joint Fusion or Replacement
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Flat Feet (Pes Planus)
- Bunions (Hallux Valgus)
- Hammer Toe
- Foot Trauma or Overuse Injuries
Bone & Joint Diseases
Some conditions affect multiple joints or the musculoskeletal system as a whole. Soldiers can suffer multiple joint injuries from various activities, including:
- Initial and operational training: Activities like running, jumping, and obstacle courses can strain multiple joints
- Heavy lifting and carrying: Transporting equipment and supplies can put excessive stress on joints
- Combat and deployment: Engaging in combat, performing tactical maneuvers, and enduring long marches can lead to joint injuries
Veterans experiencing any of the following service-connected conditions may be eligible for compensation through the VA.
- Degenerative Arthritis (Osteoarthritis)
- Post-Traumatic Arthritis
- Osteoporosis with Fracture Residuals
- Gout
- Bursitis or Tendonitis
- Fibromyalgia
Muscle & Tendon Injuries
Soft-tissue injuries, such as muscle strains, ligament tears, or tendon damage, often don’t appear on standard X-rays — but that doesn’t make them any less serious. These injuries can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and long-term disability that impacts your daily life and ability to work. Even without visible proof on imaging scans, soft-tissue damage is real, and the VA should recognize its impact on your health and well-being. If you’re experiencing symptoms from a service-related soft-tissue injury, you deserve compensation and care just like any other injury. Examples of muscle and tendon injuries include:
- Muscle Tears or Strains (e.g., hamstrings, quads)
- Shrapnel Wounds Impacting Muscle Function
- Chronic Tendonitis
Bone Infections & Fracture Complications
Not all fractures heal the way they should. Even after treatment, some broken bones can lead to long-term pain, weakness, or even infection. These complications can make everyday tasks difficult — from lifting objects to simply getting around — and can seriously affect your quality of life. If you’re living with the lasting effects of a service-connected fracture, you may be entitled to additional VA disability compensation and support.
- Chronic Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
- Fractures with Malunion or Nonunion
Amputations & Loss of Use
The VA understands that it’s not just amputations that can be life-altering — the loss of function in a limb or digit can be just as disabling. Whether it’s limited movement, nerve damage, or chronic pain that prevents you from using part of your body, the VA may consider it a compensable disability. You don’t have to lose a limb to deserve support — if you’ve lost the ability to use it, you may still qualify for significant VA disability benefits.
- Above or Below Knee Amputations
- Partial Foot or Toe Amputations
- Loss of Use of a Hand, Foot, Arm, or Fingers
Common Symptoms of Musculoskeletal Conditions in Veterans
Orthopedic injuries can affect nearly every part of daily life—from how you move to how you sleep. Veterans living with musculoskeletal conditions often suffer one or more of the following symptoms:
- Chronic joint or back pain that interferes with daily tasks
- Limited range of motion in the neck, shoulders, knees, or other joints
- Stiffness, especially after rest or in the morning
- Weakness or joint instability that leads to falls or difficulty lifting
- Numbness or tingling, particularly if nerves are compressed
- Pain triggered by movement, weather changes, or prolonged activity
- Inability to stand, walk, sit, or lift for long periods without pain
These symptoms may affect one joint or multiple areas at once. In many cases, they worsen over time—especially when service-related injuries were never properly diagnosed or treated.
Why VA Claims for Musculoskeletal Conditions Get Denied
Even when symptoms are real and disabling, many orthopedic claims are denied or underrated by the VA. Common reasons include:
- Lack of in-service documentation: Many injuries weren’t formally recorded at the time they occurred
- Unreliable testing: Range of motion exams may be performed during a temporary flare-up or on a “good day”
- Imaging doesn’t tell the whole story: X-rays and MRIs can miss pain-related limitations or nerve involvement
- The VA undervalues daily limitations: Pain, weakness, or instability that affects your work and mobility may be dismissed as “mild”
You don’t need to have perfect records. But you do need an advocate who understands how to present a clear, complete picture of your condition to the VA.
How We Help Veterans with Musculoskeletal VA Disability Claims
You’ve served your country—and now you deserve to be heard. Musculoskeletal injuries may not always be visible, but their impact on your daily life is real. At Bouk Law, we make sure the VA sees the full scope of your condition.
Here’s how we help:
- Gather comprehensive medical documentation, including range of motion tests, MRIs, and pain assessments
- Collaborate with orthopedic experts to draw a clear connection between your current symptoms and your service
- Identify secondary conditions such as nerve damage, mental health effects, or altered gait that may increase your overall rating
- Prepare strong appeals if your claim was denied or underrated, ensuring no detail is overlooked
Whether you’re applying for the first time or appealing a low disability rating, our team is ready to fight for the compensation you’ve earned.
