Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, accompanied by uncomfortable sensations like creeping, pulling, or throbbing. These symptoms most frequently appear during periods of rest or inactivity, such as sitting or lying down, and are particularly disruptive at night. The involuntary movements and discomfort associated with RLS can severely impact sleep quality, leading to chronic fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Veterans who experience this condition often seek clarity on whether it qualifies for compensation through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability system. While claiming RLS can be complex, it is possible to establish a service connection and receive compensation.
How the VA Classifies Restless Leg Syndrome
The Department of Veterans Affairs does not currently have a dedicated diagnostic code specifically for Restless Leg Syndrome within its Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Instead, the VA evaluates RLS claims by analogy, meaning the condition is rated under the criteria for a similar condition that most closely matches the veteran’s symptoms. The most common analogous rating criteria used for RLS is Diagnostic Code (DC) 8620, which is typically reserved for neuritis of the sciatic nerve, falling within the neurological condition range of the rating schedule.
The VA often treats RLS as a symptom of an underlying issue rather than a standalone primary disability, which can complicate direct service connection claims. To begin the process, a veteran must first secure a formal diagnosis of RLS from a qualified medical professional. This diagnosis is a foundational requirement, establishing the existence of the condition before the VA can consider its link to military service.
Establishing Service Connection Requirements
For a veteran to successfully claim RLS directly as a service-connected disability, three core elements must be established and supported by evidence. First, the veteran must have a current, formal diagnosis of Restless Leg Syndrome from a licensed physician. Second, there must be evidence of an in-service event, injury, or disease that occurred during military service.
The third and often most challenging element is the medical nexus, which is a link between the current RLS diagnosis and the documented in-service event. A medical nexus requires a physician’s opinion stating that the RLS is connected to the service event, or at least “as likely as not” caused or aggravated by it. Proving a direct link for RLS is difficult because the condition is often idiopathic, meaning its specific cause is unknown. Because of this complexity, many veterans find it strategically more effective to pursue a claim through the secondary connection pathway.
Claiming RLS as a Secondary Condition
The most common and often most successful strategy for obtaining a VA disability rating for RLS is claiming it as a secondary condition. A secondary service connection is granted when a veteran’s RLS is medically caused or aggravated by a condition that is already service-connected. This approach bypasses the need to directly link RLS to a specific in-service event and instead connects it to an existing primary disability.
Restless Leg Syndrome is frequently linked as a secondary condition to service-connected ailments such as peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy, or spinal conditions like spinal stenosis. Additionally, a strong body of evidence supports the connection between RLS and certain mental health disorders, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and chronic depression, which are common service-connected conditions.
The most critical piece of evidence in a secondary claim is the medical nexus opinion, which must explicitly state the relationship between the service-connected primary condition and the RLS. For instance, a physician must provide an opinion that the veteran’s service-connected lumbar spine injury or PTSD is the medical cause of the RLS. This clear medical link shifts the focus from the original military service to the established disability, significantly improving the claim’s chances of success.
Determining the Disability Rating
Once the VA establishes a service connection for RLS, either directly or secondarily, a percentage rating is assigned based on the severity of the symptoms. Since RLS is rated by analogy, the ratings are determined by the criteria of the neurological code used, most often Diagnostic Code 8620. This code provides rating tiers ranging from 10% to 60%, with the rating often assigned individually for each affected leg.
A 10% rating is typically assigned for mild symptoms, characterized by intermittent and minor discomfort. Moderate symptoms, where the frequency and severity are increased, warrant a 20% rating. Ratings of 40% are given for moderately severe symptoms that cause more frequent disruption, while the highest schedular rating of 60% is reserved for severe symptoms that are nearly constant and significantly impair occupational and social functioning. The final percentage is based on the frequency and intensity of the involuntary movements, the degree of pain, and the resulting impact on the veteran’s daily life and sleep patterns.