How to File a Veterans Disability Case

Many Veterans Disability Lawyer who join the military with medical issues which they don't report or treat. They believe that they will disappear or improve after a time.

As the years go by as time passes, the issues continue to get worse. They now require the VA's assistance to obtain compensation. The VA isn't convinced by the VA.

Getting Started

Many veterans are waiting for years before filing a claim for disability. Many veterans wait for years before filing a disability claim. This is why it is crucial to begin the process as soon as the disability symptoms become serious enough. If you plan to file a claim in the future and you are unsure of the procedure, let the VA be aware by submitting an intent to submit form. This will set a more effective date, making it easier to recover money for the time you have already missed out on because of your disability.

It is important that you provide all the relevant documentation when you file your initial claim. You should include all medical records from civilian hospitals and clinics pertaining to the ailments or injuries you are planning to claim as well as military records.

The VA will examine your claim and request additional evidence from both you and your healthcare providers. Once they have all the evidence they require, they will schedule an appointment for you to take an examination called a Compensation and Pension (C&P) in order to determine your eligibility.

This should be done in conjunction with the separation physical, to ensure that your disability is documented as service-connected, even if it is 0%. It is much easier to request an increase in rating should your condition becomes worse.

Documentation

It is essential to supply all the necessary documentation to your VA disability lawyer in order to receive the benefits to which you are entitled. This can include service records, medical documentation and lay evidence such as letters from friends, family members or coworkers who know how your disabilities affect you.

Your VSO can help you gather the required documentation. This may include medical records from the VA hospital or private physician's report diagnostic tests, and other evidence to show that you suffer from a debilitating condition that was caused by or worsened by your service in the Armed Forces.

The next step is for VA to evaluate the evidence and determine your disability rating. This is done with a schedule drafted by Congress that defines the disabilities that are eligible for compensation and in what percentage.

If VA decides that you are eligible for disability benefits, they will notify you in writing of their decision and forward all the relevant documents to Social Security. If they determine that you do not have a qualifying impairment The VSO returns the form and you are able to appeal the decision within a specified time period.

A VA attorney in Kalamazoo can help you gather the evidence you need to support your claim. In addition to medical documentation our veterans disability law firm advocate can get opinions from independent medical examiners as well as an opinion from your VA treating doctor on the impact of your disability on your life.

Meeting with a VSO

A VSO can assist with a range of programs, beyond disability compensation. They can help with vocational rehabilitation employment, home loans, and group life insurance. They also can assist with medical benefits and military burial benefits. They will go over all of your service records and medical records to figure out the federal programs you're eligible for and to fill out the necessary paperwork required to apply.

Many accredited representatives work for VA-accredited/federally chartered veterans service organizations (VSOs), which are private non-profit groups that advocate on behalf of Veterans, Servicemembers, and their families. They are authorized to represent the interests of a Veteran or a dependent with claims for any federal benefit.

When the VA receives all the evidence they will review it, and assign the disability rating depending on the severity of your symptoms. After you have been given a decision by the federal VA, an VSO will be able to discuss your ratings with you and any additional benefits from the state that you may be entitled to.

The VSO can also assist you to request an appeal to the VA to resolve a problem in case you disagree with a ruling made by the federal VA. The Appeals Modernization Act provides three "lanes" for an appeal. These are a supplemental claim or a higher-level review or a notice of disagreement to the Board of veterans disability law firms Appeals. A VSO will assist you in determining the best appeal or review option for your particular situation.

Appeal

The VA appeals process can be complex and time-consuming. Depending on which AMA route is chosen and whether or not your case is eligible to be processed with priority this could mean it takes an extended time to receive an official decision. A veteran disability lawyer can help you decide the best course of action and make an appeal on your behalf if required.

There are three ways to appeal a Veterans Benefits denial however each one takes different amounts of time. A lawyer can assist you in deciding which option is best for you and will explain the VA disability appeals process so that you understand what to expect.

If you wish to bypass the DRO review for you to directly submit your case to BVA, then you must submit Form 9 and wait for the regional office to forward the file to the Board. The BVA will then issue an Statement of Case (SOC). You may request an individual hearing before the BVA but it's not mandatory.

A supplemental claim is an opportunity to present new and relevant evidence to the VA. This can include medical evidence however, it can also include non-medical proof like lay statements. An attorney can present these statements on behalf of you and can also obtain independent medical exams and a vocational expert's opinion. If the BVA refuses to accept your supplemental claim you may appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.