Can You Get VA Disability for Herpes [What You Need to Know]

How Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Affects STD-Related VA Claims

The VA acknowledges that many veterans contract sexually transmitted diseases under traumatic or non-consensual circumstances during service—especially in cases involving Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Importantly, the VA does not require veterans to share explicit details of the assault when filing a claim involving MST-related conditions, including STDs. This is part of an intentional effort to remove barriers to care and prevent retraumatization during the claims process.

According to the VA, approximately 41% of female veterans and 4% of male veterans report experiencing MST during their service. These numbers underscore how common the issue is, and the VA has policies in place to support these veterans. 

However, the process can still feel contradictory. While the VA may not require detailed testimony or proof of an assault, veterans often receive a 0% disability rating for STD-related claims, meaning the VA recognizes the condition as service-connected but doesn't consider it severe enough to warrant compensation.

Can You Get VA Disability for Herpes?

Veterans can receive a VA disability rating for herpes, ranging from 0% to as high as 60%, depending on the severity and frequency of symptoms. While not all cases qualify for monthly compensation, the VA does recognize herpes (including genital herpes caused by HSV-2) as a valid condition if it is linked to military service and impacts a veteran’s health or daily life.

What Factors Determine Your VA Disability Rating for Herpes?

The VA uses criteria similar to other skin conditions when evaluating herpes claims. The rating percentage depends largely on how often outbreaks occur, how widespread the symptoms are, and whether treatment is ongoing.

Key factors that influence your rating include:

• Frequency of Outbreaks: Occasional vs. recurrent flare-ups (e.g., monthly or chronic outbreaks)
• Area of Skin Affected: Whether lesions or rashes are localized or affect larger areas
• Need for Medication: Continuous treatment with antiviral medication may increase your rating
• Functional Impact: If herpes symptoms interfere with work, relationships, or daily living
• Psychological Effects: Depression, anxiety, or social withdrawal related to chronic symptoms or stigma may also be considered

Here’s a general breakdown of how ratings might look:

• 0% Rating – Herpes is present but causes minimal or no interference with daily life; recognized as service-connected, but not eligible for compensation.
  10%–30% Rating – Recurrent outbreaks requiring medication; may include mild functional impact.
• 60% Rating – Frequent, painful outbreaks affecting large areas of skin, requiring constant or intensive treatment and significantly interfering with daily function.

Each case is unique, so accurate documentation and a strong medical nexus are essential for receiving the proper rating.

Do You Need a Clear Service Connection?

Not always. While a clear service connection can strengthen your VA disability claim for herpes, the VA does not require traditional proof in every case, especially when Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is involved. In MST-related claims, the VA allows alternative forms of evidence, such as behavioral changes or medical markers, rather than official reports or documentation of the incident.

For other cases, the VA generally looks for medical records from your time in service or shortly afterward to establish a link. Without that connection, claims often result in a 0% rating. While a documented in-service diagnosis or treatment record isn’t mandatory, it can make a significant difference in receiving a rating that reflects the real impact of your condition.

When to Get a Lawyer for Your VA Disability Benefits?

While you don’t need a lawyer to file your initial VA disability claim, legal help becomes especially valuable after your claim is denied or rated too low. At that point, you’re not starting from scratch—you’re entering the appeals process, which can be far more complex and evidence-driven.

It’s time to reach out to your lawyer if your herpes-related VA disability claim comes back with:

• A denial, even though you believe the condition is service-connected
• A 0% rating, despite frequent outbreaks or ongoing treatment
• A lower rating than expected based on how much the condition affects your life

Benefits of Hiring an Attorney for Your VA Disability Claim

Navigating the VA disability system, especially after a denial or low rating, can be overwhelming. That’s where an experienced VA disability attorney can make a major difference. While you can’t hire a lawyer to help with the initial claim, you can (and should) bring one in as soon as the VA issues a decision you disagree with.

Here are some of the key benefits of hiring a VA-accredited attorney:

• Increased Approval Odds – Veterans represented by legal professionals are statistically more likely to win appeals and receive higher ratings.
• Expert Evidence Building – A lawyer can help gather and submit critical evidence, such as nexus letters and medical documentation, that the VA may have overlooked or undervalued.
• Skilled Argumentation – Attorneys understand how to challenge VA decisions, spot errors in reasoning, and present compelling legal arguments.
• Appeals Process Guidance – Whether it’s a Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, an attorney ensures you follow the right path with the strongest case possible.

Getting the rating and benefits you deserve often requires more than just filing paperwork. A VA disability lawyer can help level the playing field and fight for the compensation you’re entitled to under the law.