Pacemaker Disability Benefit?

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Jim Strickland is a Vietnam era Army veteran and nationally recognized expert on VA disability benefits who is also editor and webmaster of the popular VA Watchdog website. Jim writes extensively about VA and Social Security disability benefits. Jim is kind enough to answer questions from visitors on StatesideLegal.org here in Jim's Mailbag.

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Jim's Mailbag is a regular column where veterans, servicemembers, and family members can find answers about their VA and Social Security disability benefits. Although we are not accepting new questions at this time, you can browse all of the previous Q&As here and search Jim's Mailbag for helpful answers to your specific VA issue.

April 29, 2020

Question:

I had a Pacemaker installed in June of 2019 to insure I maintained safe heart beat. Will this increase my disability rating? I am currently rated 70% for severe PTSD and anxiety and paid at 100%-

Jim's Reply:

It won't automatically increase your benefit, no. If you want an increase you have to apply for it. In this case it seems to me you may have a hard time proving that the pacer is service-connected. And...if you're already at 100%, you won't increase that without turning to the Special Monthly Compensation ratings and I don't see that happening here.