Yes, you can file a claim for urge incontinence as connected to an in-service forceps delivery, and this type of claim is evaluated the same way as any other direct service connection claim. To have a viable basis for service connection, you generally need three things: (1) a current diagnosis of the condition, in this case urge incontinence or overactive bladder documented by a medical provider, (2) evidence of an in-service event, injury, or occurrence, which here would be the forceps delivery itself as documented in your service treatment records or childbirth records from a military treatment facility, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the current condition to that in-service event. Since childbirth injuries are considered incurred during active duty when they occur while you are on active service, the delivery itself counts as the in-service event, similar to how the VA treats other pregnancy or childbirth-related complications like perineal tears or nerve damage from delivery.
The medical literature connecting forceps deliveries to increased risk of urge incontinence and other pelvic floor disorders can be useful supporting evidence, but it cannot substitute for an individualized nexus opinion from a qualified medical professional who examines your specific history and current symptoms. When you file, the VA will typically schedule a Compensation and Pension examination, and the examiner will consider your service records, the nature of the delivery (including any documented complications, tears, or prolonged pushing associated with the forceps use), and your current urinary symptoms to render an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that your condition is related to the in-service delivery.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →To file, you would submit VA Form 21-526EZ if this is an original claim, or VA Form 20-0995 (Supplemental Claim) if you have a prior denial and new evidence, such as the medical literature you found, to support reopening. Urge incontinence is typically rated under the genitourinary system criteria in 38 CFR Part 4, which considers factors like pad usage, frequency of leakage episodes, and required absorbent materials, so keeping a symptom log of how often you experience urgency and leakage will help substantiate the severity of your condition regardless of the outcome on service connection.
As a next step, request a copy of your active-duty labor and delivery records to confirm the forceps use was documented, then file your claim with a personal statement describing your symptoms and their onset relative to that delivery.
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