Obesity-Related Conditions

ROB LEVINE, HELPING VETERANS SUFFERING FROM OBESITY-RELATED CONDITIONS

DO YOU HAVE OBESITY-RELATED DISABILITIES CAUSED BY A SERVICE-CONNECTED CONDITION?

Unfortunately, many veterans have service-connected conditions that impact their ability to regularly exercise or eat well. In turn, after gaining weight, veterans often develop serious medical conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea, and heart disease. Veterans are eligible to receive VA disability compensation for these obesity-related conditions.

Do You Have a Medical Condition Caused By Obesity Due to a Service-Connected Condition?

 

For decades, the VA maintained that obesity is not a disability that alone can be service-connected. This changed in 2017, when the VA’s Office of General Counsel issued a memorandum outlining veterans’ ability to service-connect conditions that are the result of obesity, if the obesity was caused by a service-connected condition.

Just like any other VA disability claim, obesity-related claims can be an up-hill battle with the VA. Don’t fight the VA alone. The experienced attorneys at Rob Levine & Associates know how to utilize the latest changes in the law to your advantage – and get you the benefits you deserve. Call us today for a free case evaluation!

The Impact of Obesity

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a person is considered to be overweight or obese if they have a “weight that is higher than what is considered as a healthy weight for a given height.” Obesity puts veterans at risk for serious health conditions, including but not limited to: diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, certain cancers, respiratory problems, hypertension, stroke, and more.

Many veterans have service-connected conditions that make it difficult to regularly exercise or eat healthy. Medications taken for service-connected conditions can cause weight gain as well. Therefore, veterans are at heightened risk for developing obesity, as well as the negative health effects that come with it.

Examples of Obesity-Related VA Disability Claims

At Rob Levine & Associates, we have been able to service-connect various medical conditions caused by obesity, including but not limited to:

  • Diabetes caused by weight gain related to anti-depressant medications for service-connected depression
  • Sleep Apnea caused by a service-connected eating disorder involving over-eating
  • Heart Disease caused by weight gain because service-connected orthopedic conditions made it difficult to exercise
  • Stroke caused by weight gain because a service-connected TBI rendered a veteran bedridden

 

 

Rob Levine & Associates
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