October 28, 2025 • 9 mins
🧠 Episode Overview:
In this episode, we take a deep look at amputations and VA disability benefits — including how the VA evaluates different types of limb loss, what compensation levels veterans can expect, and what additional support programs are available.
Whether your amputation resulted directly from service, from a combat injury, accident, or as a secondary condition related to diabetes, vascular disease, or infection, understanding the VA rating system and available resources can help you get the benefits you’ve earned.
We’ll also explore prosthetic care, adaptive housing, and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) that may apply to your situation.
🔍 Topics Covered:
- Overview of amputation-related disabilities recognized by the VA
- Common causes of amputation in veterans
- Combat injuries, accidents, infections, diabetes complications, frostbite, vascular issues
- How the VA rates amputations (upper and lower extremities)
- Explanation of amputation levels and rating percentages
- Understanding Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) for limb loss
- How prosthetics and assistive technology factor into VA benefits
- Secondary service connection for complications (phantom pain, arthritis, depression, etc.)
- Navigating the VA claims process for amputation and limb loss
- Importance of medical evidence, nexus letters, and C&P exams
- Adaptive housing, vehicle, and clothing allowances for amputee veterans
- Appeal options for denied amputation claims
💡 Key Takeaways:
- Amputation is a highly compensable condition under the VA disability system.
- Veterans may qualify for additional Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) based on loss of limb function.
- Prosthetic care and adaptive support programs are available to help veterans regain independence.
- A strong nexus letter and thorough medical documentation are critical to support your claim.
- Even secondary amputations related to service-connected conditions (like diabetes or infections) can qualify for VA benefits.
🧾 Resources Mentioned:
- VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (Amputation and Musculoskeletal Conditions)
- VA Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service
- VA Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) Chart
- Adaptive Housing and Vehicle Grant Programs
🎧 Tune In If You’re a Veteran Who:
- Has experienced an amputation related to service or a service-connected condition
- Wants to understand how VA disability ratings work for limb loss
- Needs information on prosthetics, adaptive equipment, or SMC benefits
- Has faced a VA claim denial for amputation or related conditions
- Wants to learn how to maximize compensation and access VA resources
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Leah Bucholz (00:01):
Hey, guys. It's Leah B from Prestige Veteran
Medical Consulting. I am a USarmy veteran, physician
assistant, and formercompensation and pension
examiner. So today, I wanna comeon and discuss a really serious
topic that affects manyveterans, you know, of all eras,
combat veterans, noncombatveterans, just a variety of
veterans, and and that isamputations and loss of limb. So
(00:23):
in today's video, we're gonnatalk about how how veterans can
receive benefits for amputationsand also some of those special
monthly compensationconsiderations.
So amputations and loss of limbis one of the most life changing
injuries a veteran can face. Didyou know that VA provides
specific disability ratings,special monthly compensation,
(00:44):
like I mentioned, and resourcesdesigned to support veterans
living with amputations. In thisvideo, we're going to break down
how VA handles disabilityratings for amputations, what
the research says about longterm challenges that veterans
may face, and what resources areavailable to help. Stick around
until the end where I'll sharetips that can help you maximize
(01:05):
your benefits and get educatedon, this topic. So amputations.
How can veterans receive VAdisability for amputations? So
they can happen for a variety ofreasons. It can be related to a
combat injury, accidents duringservice, like training
accidents, medical complicationslike severe infections or
(01:28):
vascular disease, diabetescomplications. For VA disability
purposes, loss of limb isconsidered a severe impairment.
The VA uses the schedule forrating disabilities to assign
percentages, which may varydepending on which limb is lost
and at what point.
For example, losing a losing aleg above the knee, or at or at
(01:51):
the foot may have, you know, adifferent disability rating. So
in addition, veterans withamputations may qualify for SMC
or special monthly compensation,which we're gonna go over here
shortly. This can provide extrafinancial support for severe
disabilities like the loss ofuse of the hands, feet, or eyes.
And, again, that's an extrascheduler rating. So I wanna
(02:14):
talk about some of the researchand what research says about
veterans with, amputations.
So research shows thatamputations don't just affect
mobility. They impact nearlyevery part of the veteran's
life. Studies have found thatveterans with amputations are at
higher risk for chronic pain,conditions like phantom limb
pain. There's also an increasedrisk of mental health
(02:37):
challenges, includingdepression, PTSD, especially if
the amputation was combatrelated, can be causative, or it
can worsen preexistingconditions. Veterans with
amputations often experiencesecondary health problems such
as joint stress on the remaininglimb, back pain, cardiovascular
disease, hypertension, ordifferent kind of issues related
(02:59):
to reduced activity or pain.
This is why VA recognizesamputations not just as a
physical injury, but as acondition that can create a
ripple effect across a veteran'soverall health and lifespan. So
let me I'm gonna pull up thisva.gov SMC sheet here in a
(03:19):
second, but hang on one second,and we're gonna toggle right
over to that. K. Okay. So onva.gov, you can see these
different special monthlycompensation levels.
K? And and this can get kindacomplicated because there's so
many different special monthlycompensations related to
(03:42):
different issues, like specialmonthly compensation k. We've
talked about a bunch that isrelated to loss of use of a
creative organ. That's notreally related to what we're
talking about today, but this isjust something you can check
out. Now the rates are gonna beon this page, like, what is VA
paying in 2025 for those ratesfor veterans, with veteran
(04:03):
alone, spouse, with dependents,etcetera.
So we're not gonna go over everysingle one of these, but let's
look at s SMC. Let's see. Oh,these are still rates. Let me
let me scroll down to the actualSMC. So it says that they assign
SMC levels based on veryspecific situations and
(04:23):
combinations of situations,including amputations, loss of
use of limbs.
So there's a difference betweenamputation and loss of use of
limb in some circumstances.Right? So for example, I have
seen veterans with Parkinson'sdisease get, SMC for loss of use
of limbs because they're notable to do things like button
their buttons or, you know, holda utensil and things like that.
(04:46):
So SMCL, it says you may receiveSMCL designation. If any of the
of these situations are true foryou, you've had both feet
amputated or you've had one footand the loss of use of the other
foot, You've had one hand in onefoot.
You've had one foot and the lossof use of one hand. You've had
one hand amputated and loss ofuse of one foot. Or there's
(05:08):
there's a bunch of and and orsin each one of these. That's why
I don't wanna get bogged down inthe weeds going through each and
every SMC because as you cansee, it can get really
complicated. But just, like,real quick, let's peek at this
SMCL, what the current rate isif you are if you are entitled
to it.
(05:28):
Right? So SMCL here, you can seeveteran alone, no dependent.
That's $4,767. And then it goesup, of course, with the
different, you know, levels. Sothe the whole point of this is
for you guys to just getfamiliar with the fact that
there are these special monthlycompensations, and and you might
wanna check it out and see, youknow, what those ratings are and
(05:51):
and what you may qualify for.
Now it's my understanding. I'mnot a legal professional. Let me
jump off this screen share. Hangon. You know, I always throw
this out there.
I'm not a legal professional.I'm a I'm a medical
professional, and I see a lot ofthese things quite frequently,
but it's my understanding thatif you meet the criteria VA is
(06:12):
gonna grant this, there's somechecks on the DBQs that when the
examiners go through, it asksspecific questions related to
loss of use and things like thatthat are tailored that help the
adjudicators determine this.Right? So, again, the best thing
for you guys to do is tofollow-up with an accredited
legal professional, like a VSOor an attorney if you have
questions about SMC. So I Iguess from there, there's
(06:38):
there's not a whole lot else tosay.
Mobility issues can lead toweight gain. Like I've said
before, that's another thing.You it can be an intermediate
step to things. So, I once wrotea letter for a surviving spouse
because he had double amputatehe had bilateral amputations of
his legs. He was immobilized.
He wound up not being able tohave great exercise. He became
(07:03):
obese, developed somecardiopulmonary issues, and and
passed away because of that. Andso that link VA recognized
related to the amputation, andthe spouse was granted some
disability. So, again, gaitchanges after an amputation
often cause joint damage orchronic back pain. Other
secondary issues, like wementioned before, psychological
(07:25):
effects, including anxiety anddepression can make it harder to
reintegrate in society ormaintain employment.
These secondary conditions mayalso be considered for VA
disability compensation. Theycan be linked to service
connected if they can be linkedto that service connected
amputation. So, I guess fromhere, what does VA actually
(07:47):
provide? So disability ratings,like we mentioned, amputations
often receive high disabilityratings up to a hundred percent
in some cases depending on theseverity and how many limbs are
affected. We already talkedabout that SMC, that additional
payment for veterans who havelost limbs.
Prosthetics and adaptiveequipment, VA covers prosthetic
(08:07):
devices, home modifications, andeven vehicle adaptations to help
with daily life in some cases.It's important to note that
amputations are not consideredwillful misconduct injuries.
They are recognized as severeservice connected disabilities
that demand strong compensationand support. I I guess that's it
for today. Please drop somecomments.
(08:29):
Let me know if you, you know,have any questions. Please like
and subscribe. And as always,thank you for watching. See you.
Hey, guys. It's Leah B from Prestige Veteran
Medical Consulting. I am a USarmy veteran, physician
assistant, and formercompensation and pension
examiner. So today, I wanna comeon and discuss a really serious
topic that affects manyveterans, you know, of all eras,
combat veterans, noncombatveterans, just a variety of
veterans, and and that isamputations and loss of limb. So
(00:23):
in today's video, we're gonnatalk about how how veterans can
receive benefits for amputationsand also some of those special
monthly compensationconsiderations.
So amputations and loss of limbis one of the most life changing
injuries a veteran can face. Didyou know that VA provides
specific disability ratings,special monthly compensation,
(00:44):
like I mentioned, and resourcesdesigned to support veterans
living with amputations. In thisvideo, we're going to break down
how VA handles disabilityratings for amputations, what
the research says about longterm challenges that veterans
may face, and what resources areavailable to help. Stick around
until the end where I'll sharetips that can help you maximize
(01:05):
your benefits and get educatedon, this topic. So amputations.
How can veterans receive VAdisability for amputations? So
they can happen for a variety ofreasons. It can be related to a
combat injury, accidents duringservice, like training
accidents, medical complicationslike severe infections or
(01:28):
vascular disease, diabetescomplications. For VA disability
purposes, loss of limb isconsidered a severe impairment.
The VA uses the schedule forrating disabilities to assign
percentages, which may varydepending on which limb is lost
and at what point.
For example, losing a losing aleg above the knee, or at or at
(01:51):
the foot may have, you know, adifferent disability rating. So
in addition, veterans withamputations may qualify for SMC
or special monthly compensation,which we're gonna go over here
shortly. This can provide extrafinancial support for severe
disabilities like the loss ofuse of the hands, feet, or eyes.
And, again, that's an extrascheduler rating. So I wanna
(02:14):
talk about some of the researchand what research says about
veterans with, amputations.
So research shows thatamputations don't just affect
mobility. They impact nearlyevery part of the veteran's
life. Studies have found thatveterans with amputations are at
higher risk for chronic pain,conditions like phantom limb
pain. There's also an increasedrisk of mental health
(02:37):
challenges, includingdepression, PTSD, especially if
the amputation was combatrelated, can be causative, or it
can worsen preexistingconditions. Veterans with
amputations often experiencesecondary health problems such
as joint stress on the remaininglimb, back pain, cardiovascular
disease, hypertension, ordifferent kind of issues related
(02:59):
to reduced activity or pain.
This is why VA recognizesamputations not just as a
physical injury, but as acondition that can create a
ripple effect across a veteran'soverall health and lifespan. So
let me I'm gonna pull up thisva.gov SMC sheet here in a
(03:19):
second, but hang on one second,and we're gonna toggle right
over to that. K. Okay. So onva.gov, you can see these
different special monthlycompensation levels.
K? And and this can get kindacomplicated because there's so
many different special monthlycompensations related to
(03:42):
different issues, like specialmonthly compensation k. We've
talked about a bunch that isrelated to loss of use of a
creative organ. That's notreally related to what we're
talking about today, but this isjust something you can check
out. Now the rates are gonna beon this page, like, what is VA
paying in 2025 for those ratesfor veterans, with veteran
(04:03):
alone, spouse, with dependents,etcetera.
So we're not gonna go over everysingle one of these, but let's
look at s SMC. Let's see. Oh,these are still rates. Let me
let me scroll down to the actualSMC. So it says that they assign
SMC levels based on veryspecific situations and
(04:23):
combinations of situations,including amputations, loss of
use of limbs.
So there's a difference betweenamputation and loss of use of
limb in some circumstances.Right? So for example, I have
seen veterans with Parkinson'sdisease get, SMC for loss of use
of limbs because they're notable to do things like button
their buttons or, you know, holda utensil and things like that.
(04:46):
So SMCL, it says you may receiveSMCL designation. If any of the
of these situations are true foryou, you've had both feet
amputated or you've had one footand the loss of use of the other
foot, You've had one hand in onefoot.
You've had one foot and the lossof use of one hand. You've had
one hand amputated and loss ofuse of one foot. Or there's
(05:08):
there's a bunch of and and orsin each one of these. That's why
I don't wanna get bogged down inthe weeds going through each and
every SMC because as you cansee, it can get really
complicated. But just, like,real quick, let's peek at this
SMCL, what the current rate isif you are if you are entitled
to it.
(05:28):
Right? So SMCL here, you can seeveteran alone, no dependent.
That's $4,767. And then it goesup, of course, with the
different, you know, levels. Sothe the whole point of this is
for you guys to just getfamiliar with the fact that
there are these special monthlycompensations, and and you might
wanna check it out and see, youknow, what those ratings are and
(05:51):
and what you may qualify for.
Now it's my understanding. I'mnot a legal professional. Let me
jump off this screen share. Hangon. You know, I always throw
this out there.
I'm not a legal professional.I'm a I'm a medical
professional, and I see a lot ofthese things quite frequently,
but it's my understanding thatif you meet the criteria VA is
(06:12):
gonna grant this, there's somechecks on the DBQs that when the
examiners go through, it asksspecific questions related to
loss of use and things like thatthat are tailored that help the
adjudicators determine this.Right? So, again, the best thing
for you guys to do is tofollow-up with an accredited
legal professional, like a VSOor an attorney if you have
questions about SMC. So I Iguess from there, there's
(06:38):
there's not a whole lot else tosay.
Mobility issues can lead toweight gain. Like I've said
before, that's another thing.You it can be an intermediate
step to things. So, I once wrotea letter for a surviving spouse
because he had double amputatehe had bilateral amputations of
his legs. He was immobilized.
He wound up not being able tohave great exercise. He became
(07:03):
obese, developed somecardiopulmonary issues, and and
passed away because of that. Andso that link VA recognized
related to the amputation, andthe spouse was granted some
disability. So, again, gaitchanges after an amputation
often cause joint damage orchronic back pain. Other
secondary issues, like wementioned before, psychological
(07:25):
effects, including anxiety anddepression can make it harder to
reintegrate in society ormaintain employment.
These secondary conditions mayalso be considered for VA
disability compensation. Theycan be linked to service
connected if they can be linkedto that service connected
amputation. So, I guess fromhere, what does VA actually
(07:47):
provide? So disability ratings,like we mentioned, amputations
often receive high disabilityratings up to a hundred percent
in some cases depending on theseverity and how many limbs are
affected. We already talkedabout that SMC, that additional
payment for veterans who havelost limbs.
Prosthetics and adaptiveequipment, VA covers prosthetic
(08:07):
devices, home modifications, andeven vehicle adaptations to help
with daily life in some cases.It's important to note that
amputations are not consideredwillful misconduct injuries.
They are recognized as severeservice connected disabilities
that demand strong compensationand support. I I guess that's it
for today. Please drop somecomments.
(08:29):
Let me know if you, you know,have any questions. Please like
and subscribe. And as always,thank you for watching. See you.
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