How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation

You may be entitled to compensation if you are a veteran and have been afflicted with a disability because of an illness or injury that was sustained while serving in the military. The process can be complex.

It is recommended to complete all your paperwork as soon as you can. VA requires time to review them and determine a rating for your claim.

Service-Connected Disabilities

Service-related disabilities are those that were incurred or aggravated by military service. These include physical health conditions like chronic knee injuries, Lou Gehrig's Disease, and mental health issues such as PTSD. This includes chronic skin issues that require frequent VA visits for specialized products or appliances. These types of veterans disability attorney often get compensation and other services, including no-cost healthcare and prescription medications.

To prove service-connection Veterans must have medical evidence that links their medical condition to their military service. This is usually from service treatment records. However independent medical opinions as well as a the nexus letter may also be helpful.

The VA utilizes a rating system which is based on Congressional law to determine which ailments are qualified for compensation and in what percentage. In general the higher the rating for disability and the higher the disability ratings, the greater benefits are available.

A 100% permanent and total disability rating is the most prestigious rating, meaning that a disabled veteran cannot pursue any kind of gainful employment. If they have a rating this high can be eligible for monthly benefits that are called Aid and Attendance. This helps veterans with disabilities or their surviving spouse to receive assistance for daily life tasks like washing, dressing, eating, and cleaning up and taking care of the needs of nature. This includes arranging transportation and home modifications to make the house more easily accessible.

Disabilities that last a lifetime and are total

For many Veterans who are disabled, a VA determination of disability is an important lifeline. The additional income from a disability check can be very helpful and affordable, as it is tax-free. It might not cover the mortgage, but it will help to put food on the table and aid students through college. It can even make the difference between being poor and having a roof over your head and a car in the garage.

After a veteran's claim has been approved at the Regional Office level, they are mailed a Rating Decision. The Rating Decision outlines the veteran's conditions related to service and assigns a score to each. In some cases a single condition is rated at 100%, while in others multiple conditions, they are combined into what's known as the Total Disabled Individual (TDIU) rating. TDIU means that the cumulative effects of all your ailments prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful work, and is an indefinite designation.

If you have a TDIU rating, you can request that it be upgraded to a permanent and complete rating by submitting a claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). The VA provides this benefit to veterans who have been permanently and totally disabled as a result of an amputation, loss of organs or body part use or any combination of the two. This is an indefinite distinction. However, the C&P Examiner can reduce the rating if your impairments increase or improve.

Service-Related Disabilities

Many veterans suffer from illnesses that have a significant impact on their ability to work or live an active life. This includes chronic physical pain, mental health issues (like PTSD) and injuries. Disability compensation can help veterans disability law firms offset the financial burden of these conditions. These issues can be serious and last a long time.

The VA utilizes a system for assessing disabilities to determine the severity and the amount of benefits. The ratings range from zero and 100 percent with higher percentages indicating higher levels of disability. The criteria for determining this rating is based on a variety of factors, including the effect the illness or injury impacts the veteran's daily routine and life.

Veterans may be able show a direct service connection with their impairment in certain cases. If there is proof that the illness or injury occurred during military service, for example, a head injury resulting in trauma or paralysis might be considered as a direct connection to service. However, certain conditions like tinnitus and anxiety or depression are considered to be secondary conditions that aren't directly connected to the veteran's service in the military.

Veterans should submit as many medical records and other proof as they can to be eligible for benefits. This can include private medical records as well as service treatment records. Having the support of a County Veterans Service Office or Veterans Service Representative can also help speed up the process of filing claims. It is essential to be as exact as you can when reporting dates of treatment and to send requested information to the VA promptly.

PTSD

It is possible to experience lasting effects on your body and mind after an event that is traumatic. This can result in flashbacks, nightmares, difficulties concentrating at school or work, feelings of fear and terror, and a lack of interest in things you used to love. It could also lead to depression or anxiety, and may cause you to abuse substances.

There are effective treatments for PTSD. They can help you get back to normal and ease your symptoms. They typically involve psychological treatment such as counseling or talk therapy but medication are also available.

Research on PTSD has shown that the condition is not just caused by trauma but changes in how your brain functions. It can also be aggravated by personal and environmental triggers like living in the war zone or Veterans Disability Law Firms having a history of mental illness.

Mental health issues, like PTSD are regarded as "high-value" claims by the VA because they are more difficult to prove by medical evidence than other conditions like skin, neurological, auditory or musculoskeletal problems. Veterans with disabling mental conditions are more likely to receive an impairment rating of more than 30% than those who don't.