Are you a veteran living with vitiligo? You could be eligible for a monthly payout of $165 from the Veteran’s Administration (VA). Here's how it works.

How To File A Disability Claim For Vitiligo

If you've served in the military and now have vitiligo, you could be due some financial assistance from the VA. You can file a disability claim in any of these four ways: online, by mail, in person, or via a trained professional. VA provides step-by-step instructions on their website. Vitiligo is identified under Diagnostic Code 7823.

Understanding Disability Ratings

Once you submit a claim and it gets the green light, the VA assigns a 'disability rating'. Think of this rating as a measure of how much your vitiligo affects your daily life. The more your vitiligo is impacting your life, the higher the rating, and the more compensation you'll receive each month.

You can also get separate ratings for other conditions related to your vitiligo. For example, if your vitiligo makes you feel isolated and leads to depression or PTSD, this could be considered a separate condition and get its own rating. Vitiligo has also been linked with an increased risk of hearing loss.

How Vitiligo is Rated by the VA

The VA considers how much of your exposed skin is affected by vitiligo. This includes areas like your face, hands, arms, and neck. If your vitiligo affects these areas, you might qualify for up to 10 percent disability rating. But if your vitiligo is only on areas usually covered by clothes, you may receive a 0 percent rating, meaning you won't get any monthly compensation until patches expand into visible areas. Ten percent is the maximum available rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.118, Diagnostic Code 7823 for vitiligo.

Calculating the Affected Area

The VA has divided the body into different sections, each making up a certain percentage of your total body area. For example, your head counts for about 3.5 percent, each forearm is 1.5 percent, and each foot is about 1.75 percent.

For vitiligo, you'll need to measure each patch of affected skin and add up their sizes. Then, divide the total area of all your vitiligo patches by the total area of your skin. For VA's calculations, they assume you have about 2,636 square inches of skin in total, with 368 square inches of that being 'visible' skin with regular clothing.

Qualifying for VA Disability

There are three requirements to qualify for disability compensation. First, you need an official diagnosis of vitiligo from a VA-approved doctor. Second, proof that your vitiligo is linked to your military service. This could be exposure to stressful events, occupational hazards, or incidents during your service that may have triggered vitiligo onset. Finally, you'll need a medical nexus from your doctor linking your vitiligo to your military service.

Compensation Rates

Once your claim is approved and your disability rating is assigned, you'll start receiving monthly payments from the VA. With a maximum 10 percent disability rating for vitiligo, that amounts to $165.92 each month, tax-free.

How long does it take VA to make a decision?

On average, it took the VA 102 days to process disability-related claims in May 2023. While waiting for a decision, you typically don't have to do anything unless the VA asks for more information.

What to Do If Your Claim Is Denied

Don't worry if your first VA disability claim is denied. It can be helpful to seek assistance from a VA-accredited attorney, a claims agent, or a Veterans Service Officer to dispute the decision. These professionals can make the process of deadlines, evidence submissions, and appeals easier to understand and manage.

How Much It Costs To File the Claim?

Usually, there is no fee for help with your initial application for benefits, but you might be charged for 'unusual expenses' later on. After the VA has decided on your original claim, the professionals who are VA-accredited can start charging for their services. So, it's a good idea to ask about any fees in advance.

 

Suggested reading:

Any Link Between Vitiligo and Military Service?

PTSD in Vitiligo?

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