Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy VA Rating
If you had to have a hysterectomy because of an injury or condition caused or worsened by your military service, you may be eligible to receive a VA rating for a hysterectomy. If you began treatment during service for a condition that later required a hysterectomy, you may also be eligible for benefits.
You developed uterine fibroids during your military service. Now, your doctor says you need a hysterectomy because other treatments aren’t working, and you’re in pain and bleeding irregularly. You may qualify for VA disability benefits. Read on to understand why it’s important to understand the VA rating for a hysterectomy.
Veterans and hysterectomies
There are multiple reasons a woman might have to have her uterus surgically removed, such as heavy menstrual periods, injury, pelvic support issues, ongoing pelvic pain, or cancer. Once a woman has a hysterectomy, she’s no longer able to conceive, and she doesn’t have periods. 15% of women have hysterectomies for various reasons, making it a common surgical procedure. However, female veterans are thought to be more prone to needing hysterectomies than the general population. One study found that about 16.8% of female veterans have hysterectomies, and they tend to have them at a younger age than their civilian counterparts. The study found that female veterans who were sexually assaulted and those with a history of post-traumatic stress disorder were at a greater risk of surgery.
Hysterectomies and related conditions
A hysterectomy may result from another service-connected experience, making it qualify for secondary service connection for VA disability benefits. Those conditions may include:
Additionally, some women who have hysterectomies, especially if they’re still within childbearing age, are more prone to depression after the surgery. If you have a hysterectomy and develop depression, you may qualify for a VA rating for depression.
VA rating for a hysterectomy
The VA rating for a hysterectomy is determined using diagnostic code 7617 or 7618 for General Disease, Injury, or Adhesions of Female Reproductive Organs in the Schedule of Ratings. The veteran will receive a 100% rating for three months after the surgery while they recover. After that, the rating depends on the level of organ removal required.
Diagnostic code 7617 is for the removal of the uterus and both ovaries. A 50% rating is assigned after the first three months.
Description |
VA Rating |
Monthly Payment
|
|---|---|---|
Uterus and both ovaries, removal of, complete for three months after surgery |
100% |
$3,831.30 |
Uterus and both ovaries, removal of, complete more than three months after surgery |
50% |
$1,102.04 |
Diagnostic code 7618 is for removal of the corpus, which is the body of the uterus only. A 30% rating is assigned after the first three months.
Description |
VA Rating |
Monthly Payment
|
|---|---|---|
Uterus, removal of, including corpus for three months after surgery |
100% |
$3,831.30 |
Uterus, removal of, including corpus more than three months after surgery |
30% |
$537.42 |
Special monthly compensation for a hysterectomy
In addition to 100% disability for three months after surgery and the adjusted rating after that, the VA may provide special monthly compensation (SMC) for a hysterectomy.
SMC is a type of disability benefit for veterans that increases the compensation they receive for certain severe disabilities.
The VA provides SMC for various reasons, most often related to the loss of function of extremities and other senses.
The VA may provide SMC after a hysterectomy if the surgery significantly impacts your ability to work or results in the need for ongoing medical care because of a surgical complication like infection, nerve damage, or ongoing bleeding.
TDIU for Hysterectomy
A veteran can be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) benefits if they can’t maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected conditions.
You should be able to work after the initial three-month period following the hysterectomy. That’s why the VA provides 100% benefits during your recovery time. However, if you experience depression as a result of the hysterectomy or have another complication from the surgery, like blood clots or severe pain, these issues may make you unable to work.
TDIU pays at the same level as a 100% disability rating, even when the veteran’s combined rating is below 100%.
Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:
1
At least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
2
Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more
How VA can help
If you have a service-connected condition that affects your ability to live and work comfortably, you deserve the full VA disability compensation you are owed. Contact VA today for a free consultation to see how we can help. You only pay us if we win.