Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease, is a neurological sensory disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs. This urge is often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations like creeping or tingling. RLS typically occurs during periods of rest, such as sitting or lying down, and is temporarily relieved by movement. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes RLS as a condition that can be connected to military service and rated as a VA disability, provided the necessary link to service is medically established.
Establishing Service Connection for Restless Leg Syndrome
Securing a disability rating for RLS requires establishing a service connection, which links the current diagnosis to an event, injury, or illness that occurred during military service. The most straightforward path is Direct Service Connection, where the veteran demonstrates the onset or aggravation of RLS symptoms while on active duty. This requires medical documentation from service treatment records showing the condition was diagnosed or treated during service or within one year of discharge.
A common route for RLS claims is Secondary Service Connection, where the condition arises as a result of an already service-connected disability. RLS has been linked to conditions like Peripheral Neuropathy and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The chronic pain and sleep disruption associated with these primary conditions can trigger or worsen RLS symptoms, establishing a secondary connection.
RLS can also be secondarily connected if its symptoms are aggravated by medications prescribed for a service-connected mental health condition, such as certain antidepressants. To solidify either a direct or secondary claim, a veteran needs a Nexus Letter. This is a formal medical opinion from a qualified healthcare professional that explicitly states the veteran’s RLS is “at least as likely as not” related to their military service or an already service-connected condition.
Understanding VA Disability Rating Criteria
Once service connection is established, the VA determines compensation based on the condition’s severity and functional impact. Since Restless Leg Syndrome lacks its own specific diagnostic code, it is rated by analogy to a condition with similar physical manifestations. The VA rates RLS under Diagnostic Code 8620, which is used for neuritis of the sciatic nerve, due to the sensory and motor disturbances in the legs.
RLS rating percentages range from 10% to 60%, reflecting the frequency and severity of symptoms. A 10% rating is assigned for mild, intermittent symptoms that cause slight interference with daily activities. A 20% rating reflects moderate severity, characterized by more frequent symptoms that cause noticeable functional impairment but remain manageable with medication.
Higher ratings of 40% and 60% are reserved for severe manifestations that significantly impact the veteran’s ability to function. A 40% rating is assigned when symptoms are frequent, severely disrupt sleep, and cause significant limitations in mobility or concentration. The maximum schedular rating of 60% indicates nearly constant, severe symptoms, leading to pronounced motor loss, muscle atrophy, and an inability to obtain restful sleep, hindering occupational and social functioning. The VA assigns a rating for each affected leg, which is then combined using the VA’s rating formula.
Submitting a Successful Claim: Documentation and Evidence
Filing a claim for RLS compensation requires the veteran to submit a formal application using VA Form 21-526EZ, the primary form for disability compensation. A successful claim hinges on comprehensive documentation that supports the diagnosis, the link to service, and the functional limitations caused by RLS.
Required medical evidence includes an official RLS diagnosis from a qualified professional and a treatment history detailing prescribed medications and their effectiveness. This documentation must detail the frequency and intensity of the sensory discomfort and the irresistible urge to move the limbs. Veterans should also submit lay statements from family or friends describing the observable impact of RLS on daily life, especially regarding sleep disturbance and daytime fatigue.
The Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination is the final and most determinative piece of the process, scheduled by the VA with a contracted medical examiner. During the examination, the veteran must clearly articulate the severity of symptoms and functional impairment, focusing on the frequency of urges and sleep disruption. The examiner uses this information, often with a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for peripheral nerve conditions, to provide a report that informs the final disability rating decision.