Lead Poisoning — VA Disability Rating & Claim Guide
This is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with a VSO or accredited claims agent.
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Prep →2026 Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation for Lead Poisoning, based on your overall combined VA disability rating.
| Rating | Monthly (Alone) | Monthly (w/ Spouse) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | — | $2,165.04 |
| 20% | $356.66 | — | $4,279.92 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | $6,629.64 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 | $9,550.08 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | $13,594.80 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 | $17,220.24 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $21,701.40 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $25,225.80 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 | $28,347.60 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $47,262.96 |
Common Symptoms
Document these symptoms in your claim. The more thoroughly you describe how they affect your daily life, the stronger your claim.
Functional Limitations
VA rates disabilities based on how they limit your ability to function. Describe these limitations in your personal statement.
Rating Criteria for Toxic Exposure
General rating schedule for toxic exposureconditions. Your specific rating depends on severity documented in your C&P exam.
Painful motion or limitation of motion that is compensable
Moderate limitation of motion or functional impairment
Severe limitation of motion or significant functional loss
Unfavorable ankylosis or severe impairment
Extremely unfavorable ankylosis
Will adding Lead Poisoning raise your rating?
Enter your current combined rating and the level this condition would rate at. We'll do the VA math.
New combined
10%
New monthly
$180
Change
+$180
Rates shown are the 2026 veteran-alone amounts (no dependents). VA combines ratings with "whole-person" math and rounds to the nearest 10, so adding a condition does not simply add its percentage. Full combined-rating calculator with dependents →
Peer-Reviewed Medical Evidence
Real, verified studies from PubMed/NIH that support a Lead Poisoning claim. Bring these citations to your accredited VSO or C&P exam — they help show your condition is recognized in the medical literature and, where noted, linked to other service-connected conditions.
Journal of Korean Medical Science, 2016 · PMID 27051231
Finding: Among 120 indoor firing-range workers in the Republic of Korea's Air Force, Navy, and Armed Forces Athletic Corps, the mean blood lead level was 11.3 +/- 9.4 ug/dL (range 2.0-64.0). Professional military shooters averaged 14.0 ug/dL, and one worker reached 64 ug/dL and required chelation therapy.
Why it helps: Directly documents that military personnel who train and work at indoor firing ranges absorb elevated blood lead, supporting an association between firing-range duty and lead exposure for service members.
Environmental Health, 2017 · PMID 28376827
Finding: In a review of 36 studies of firing-range shooters (a population that includes military and security personnel), blood lead levels above 10 ug/dL were reported in 31 studies, above 20 ug/dL in 18, and above 40 ug/dL in 15. Nearly all measurements exceeded the CDC/NIOSH 5 ug/dL reference level.
Why it helps: Supports an association between shooting at firing ranges, an occupational necessity for military members, and clinically elevated blood lead levels with documented adverse health effects.
Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 2023 · PMID 36539958
Finding: In 223 officers grouped by indoor-range gunshot exposure, blood lead concentration rose with cumulative gunshot exposure (+0.34% per 100,000 shots, 95% CI 0.02-0.66%). High-exposure shooters also had more respiratory symptoms (64% vs 21%, p<0.001) and reduced lung function.
Why it helps: Supports a dose-response link between repeated firearms-range exposure and rising blood lead levels in tactical/armed personnel, relevant to service members with heavy range time.
The Lancet Public Health, 2018 · nexus to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, ischemic heart disease · PMID 29544878
Finding: In 14,289 NHANES-III adults followed ~19 years, an increase in blood lead from 1.0 to 6.7 ug/dL was associated with all-cause mortality (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.17-1.60), cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.70, 1.30-2.22), and ischemic heart disease mortality (HR 2.08, 1.52-2.85), even at levels considered low.
Why it helps: Supports an association between lead burden and cardiovascular disease, helpful where heart disease or hypertension is claimed as secondary to documented lead exposure.
American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 2018 · nexus to chronic kidney disease · PMID 29699886
Finding: In a prospective cohort of up to 6,908 adults (median blood lead 25 ug/L) followed ~16 years, eGFR decline was greater in the highest blood-lead quartiles (P for trend = 0.001), and the highest quartile had a 49% higher risk of incident chronic kidney disease (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.07-2.08).
Why it helps: Supports an association between even low-level lead exposure and reduced kidney function and CKD, useful when kidney disease is claimed as secondary to lead exposure.
Archives of General Psychiatry, 2009 · nexus to major depressive disorder, panic disorder · PMID 19996036
Finding: Among 1,987 NHANES adults aged 20-39 (mean blood lead 1.6 ug/dL), those in the highest blood-lead quintile had 2.3 times the odds of major depression (95% CI 1.13-4.75) and 4.9 times the odds of panic disorder (1.32-18.48) versus the lowest quintile; associations persisted after excluding smokers.
Why it helps: Supports an association between lead exposure and depression and panic disorder at low blood-lead levels, relevant where mental-health conditions are claimed as secondary to lead exposure.
Neurotoxicology and Teratology, 2013 · nexus to cognitive impairment · PMID 23603705
Finding: In 51 elderly men from the VA Normative Aging Study (mean patella bone lead 22.7 ug/g), higher cumulative bone lead was associated with decreased declarative learning (adjusted OR 0.91 per 20 ug/g, 95% CI 0.84-0.99) and weaker eyeblink conditioning, indicating lead interference with brain learning mechanisms.
Why it helps: Conducted in a veteran cohort, supports an association between cumulative lead burden and impaired learning/cognition, relevant where cognitive impairment is claimed as related to lead exposure.
Archives of Rheumatology, 2016 · nexus to gout, hyperuricemia · PMID 29900972
Finding: Comparing 100 lead-exposed male workers with 100 matched controls, the exposed group had significantly higher serum uric acid (p<0.001); 22 exposed workers had uric acid above 6.0 mg/dL versus only 1 control (p<0.001), consistent with lead-related (saturnine) hyperuricemia.
Why it helps: Supports an association between occupational lead exposure and elevated uric acid/gout, useful where gout is claimed as secondary to lead exposure.
Every citation is real and verified against PubMed. This is general information, not medical or legal advice — your accredited VSO or representative can advise on your specific claim.
Evidence Checklist
Gather these types of evidence before filing your claim. The strongest claims include multiple evidence types.
Common Treatments
Documenting ongoing treatment strengthens your claim and supports higher ratings.
Secondary Conditions Linked to Lead Poisoning
These conditions are commonly claimed as secondary to Lead Poisoning. A secondary condition can increase your overall combined rating and monthly compensation.
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Related Guides
Filing a Lead Poisoningclaim? Don't skip these.
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Draft your Lead Poisoning personal statement
7-step wizard that builds your VA claim personal statement using your own words. Detects presumptive eligibility, cites 38 CFR + DBQ, includes federal-crime disclosure. You review and edit before filing.
Start draftingNot legal or medical advice. Always have a VSO or accredited rep review before filing.
Start Your Lead Poisoning VA Claim
Use our free Claims Builder to organize your Lead Poisoning evidence, track your claim status, and prepare for your C&P exam. No coaching fees — just tools.
Secondary Condition Claim Guides
Detailed guides on claiming each secondary condition linked to Lead Poisoning.
Lead Poisoning Claim Guide by State
Find state-specific VA facilities, veteran benefits, and filing resources.
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Educational content, not professional advice
This article is published by Military Transition Toolkit for educational and planning purposes. It is not legal, medical, or financial advice. VA rating criteria, benefits, and regulations change — verify anything benefits-affecting against VA.gov, 38 CFR Part 4, or a VA-accredited representative (VSO, agent, or attorney) before filing.
MTT is a veteran-owned planning tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.