VA Rating for Hemic and Lymphatic Conditions
Exposure to toxic chemicals during military service has been linked to various hemic and lymphatic system diseases in U.S. veterans. Lymphedema, anemia, and blood and bone marrow cancers are some of the service-related diseases veterans may develop. Fortunately, VA benefits cover these illnesses.
Members of the United States military put their lives on the line every day. Even after returning home, the effects of their service linger. Many veterans suffer from illnesses and damage to their hemic and lymphatic systems as a result of exposure to toxic substances.
If your condition stems from military service or time spent on a military base, you may be eligible for disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). However, to receive VA disability benefits, you must prove that you have an eligible condition related to your time in the military. Your condition and its severity will determine the total disability payment you may receive.
If you are considering applying for disability, it is essential to be aware of the various problems that can affect the hemic and lymphatic systems and how different symptoms can impact your disability eligibility.
What Are the Hemic and Lymphatic Systems?
The lymphatic system consists of a series of tubes (lymphatic vessels) and small organs (lymph nodes). They help the body filter out unwanted substances and defend against bacteria. Meanwhile, the hemic and immune systems include organs involved in producing blood. The hemic and lymphatic system also includes the spleen, bone marrow, and stem cells.
What Hemic and Lymphatic System Problems Affect Veterans?
Unfortunately, hemic and lymphatic issues are not uncommon for veterans following military service. For example, a veteran might pursue disability for lymphedema, a disease in which the lymph nodes fail to drain protein-rich lymph fluids which causes painful swelling of tissue throughout the body.
Another common hemic and lymphatic system disorder for veterans is anemia, which causes paleness of skin, loss of energy, shortness of breath, and more.
In the most severe cases, veterans may experience the following types of cancer:
- Lymphoma: Affects the tissues and organs in the lymphatic system
- Leukemia: Affects blood cells
- Myeloma: Affects plasma cells
Why do Veterans Experience Hemic and Lymphatic System Illnesses?
The most common cause of hemic and lymphatic system disorders in veterans is exposure to toxic chemicals.
For example, some service members reported health problems after they were exposed to Agent Orange, a herbicide used to destroy Viet Cong food supplies during the Vietnam War. While specific studies on Agent Orange have produced conflicting results, it seems that the chemical may be linked to leukemia and other immune system disorders.
Exposure can also occur on U.S. soil. A large number of United States Marines and their families drank toxic water between 1953 and 1987 while at the Camp Lejeune military training facility in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
Due to the presence of large amounts of damaging chemicals in the tap water, a number of people got sick. The long list of illnesses associated with the Camp Lejeune scandal includes hemic and lymphatic system cancers, such as leukemia and multiple myeloma.
While these are the most well-known examples, there have been numerous other situations where service members were exposed to toxins, whether on U.S. military bases or while serving overseas. As a result, it can be helpful to take note of any chemicals you may have been exposed to during your service history that could put you at risk of hemic and lymphatic system diseases.
Kevin McVeigh
A member of the Pennsylvania Bar and formerly a partner of a law firm, where he handled a diverse case load, Kevin is the editor of Veterans Guide’s content. He meticulously researches the accuracy of all the information provided by the Veterans Guide website.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Chronic Adjustment Disorder
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Hearing Loss
- Nerve and Neurological Damage
- Skin Conditions
- Musculoskeletal Injuries
- Respiratory Conditions and Asthma
- Gastrointestinal Problems
- Heart Disease
- Genitourinary Conditions
- Eye Conditions
- Dental Conditions
- Endocrine Disorders
- Gynecological Conditions
- Hemic and Lymphatic Conditions
- Infectious Diseases and Autoimmune Disorders
Are Hemic and Lymphatic System Conditions Eligible for VA Disability?
Fortunately for affected veterans, the VA has compiled an extensive list of hemic and lymphatic system diseases that service members may have developed as a result of their military service. These veterans are eligible for VA disability.
In general, you’ll be required to show a link between your military service and your illness in order to receive hemic and lymphatic VA disability benefits. This can be tricky since the exact cause of some of these diseases is unclear and it’s sometimes difficult to isolate a particular substance or location of exposure.
Nevertheless, if you can point to other examples of hemic and lymphatic disease among people who had some overlap with your own military service, you will make a stronger case when applying for disability benefits.
VA Hemic & Lymphatic Disability Rating
If you think you may be eligible for VA disability benefits for your hemic and lymphatic condition, it is crucial for you to understand the VA’s disability rating system. For every hemic and lymphatic disease, there is a specific rating between 10 percent and 100 percent that determines the benefits you are eligible for.
More than a dozen illnesses are listed on the VA’s hemic and lymphatic system ratings schedule. The rating you receive will depend on:
- Your diagnosis
- The severity of your illness or disease
For example, if you are actively sick with or being treated for a hemic and lymphatic cancer, you will receive the highest possible rating: 100 percent. Conversely, you may receive a low rating of 10 percent if you merely need to take medication to fend off the symptoms of a less serious hemic and lymphatic system condition.
Your disability rating determines the level of disability benefits you can receive from the VA. A rating of 100 percent generally corresponds to the highest degree of disability, meaning you would get the highest compensation. Your eligible VA compensation decreases with lower ratings.
Here are the base monthly compensation rates for every rating that appears on the hemic and lymphatic system ratings schedule:
- 10 percent – $171.21
- 20 percent – $338.49
- 30 percent – $524.31
- 60 percent – $1,361.88
- 70 percent – $1,716.28
- 100 percent – $3,737.85
However, other factors can increase the amount of monthly compensation you receive from the VA. You may be eligible to receive additional monthly benefits for each of your dependents, including parents, children, or a spouse. In some cases, this can be as much as $1,000 per month, depending on your initial rating and the number and type of dependents you support.
You can check the VA website for a more comprehensive overview of the disability rates and how much money you could receive for your specific circumstances.
Apply for VA Benefits
If you are a veteran afflicted with a hemic and lymphatic system condition, you can apply for VA disability benefits. These benefits go a long way toward supporting you and your family while you focus on recovery — whether your condition is an inconvenience or a life-changing disease, such as cancer.
Apply for VA disability today to receive the assistance you deserve.
