How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation

If you're a former soldier suffering from an injury or illness that was caused by military service, you could qualify for veterans disability compensation. But the process is complex.

It is best to send your claims documentation as soon as you are able to. VA requires time to review them and give a rating to your claim.

Disabilities caused by service

Disabilities that are related to service are those that were incurred or worsened during military service. Physical health conditions, such as Lou Gehrig's disease and chronic knee injuries, as also mental health issues like PTSD are all included. This includes chronic skin conditions that require frequent VA visits for specialized applications or ointments. Veterans of this type are often eligible for compensation and services. This includes free medical care, prescription medication and other benefits.

To prove connection to service, veterans must have medical evidence that ties their medical condition to their military service. This is typically based on service treatment records. However independent medical opinions as well as a nexus letter can also help.

The VA utilizes a list of ratings based on Congressional laws to determine what conditions qualify for compensation, and in what percentage. In general, the higher a disability rating is, the more benefits are available.

A 100 percent permanent and total disability rating is the highest level that can be achieved rating, meaning that a veteran can't follow any type of job that is lucrative. Those who are rated this high could be eligible for additional monthly benefits, known as Aid and Attendance. This is a way for veterans disability lawyers with disabilities or their surviving spouse to receive assistance in everyday activities like dressing, bathing and feeding, cleaning and attending to nature's needs. This can include arranging transportation and making modifications to the home to make the surroundings more accessible.

Permanent and Total Disability

A VA determination of disability can be a lifeline to many Veterans. The extra income earned from the disability check is tax-free, making it very affordable and very beneficial. It might not be enough to pay for your mortgage, but it can buy food for the dinner table and send your children to college. It can make the difference between having a home and car.

Once a veteran's claim is approved at the Regional Office level the veteran is sent a Rating Decision. This lists their service-connected conditions and assigns a disability rating to each. In certain instances, a condition is rated 100%, and multiple conditions could be combined to create a rating called Total Disabled Unemployment (TDIU). TDIU signifies that the combined effects of all your ailments hinder you from holding a job that is essentially lucrative employment, which is an indefinite designation.

If you have a TDIU rating, you can request that it be upgraded to a total and permanent rating by submitting an application for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). The VA provides this benefit to veterans who are permanently and completely disabled due to an injury, loss of organs or body parts or any combination of the two. This is an ongoing distinction. However, the C&P Examiner can reduce the rating in the event that your impairments get worse or increase.

Service-Related Disabilities

Many veterans suffer from illnesses that have a major impact on their ability to live an active or productive life. This includes chronic pain, mental illness (like PTSD), and injuries. Disability compensation can help veterans to offset the financial burden of these ailments. These ailments can be very severe and can last for a long time.

The VA uses a system for assessing disabilities to determine their severity and the amount of benefits. The ratings vary from zero and 100 percent with higher percentages representing higher levels of disability. This rating is based on various factors, such as the impact the injury or illness caused on the veteran's daily life and daily activities.

Veterans may be able to demonstrate an immediate service connection to their impairment in certain cases. For instance, a traumatizing brain injury or paralysis may be considered a direct service connection in the event that there is evidence of the injury or illness occurring during military service. Certain conditions, for example, depression, tinnitus, or anxiety disorders may be considered secondary and not directly related to military service.

Veterans should submit as many medical records and other documents as is possible to claim benefits. This could include medical records from private sources and service treatment records. The support of a County Veterans Service Office or Veterans Service Representative can also accelerate the process of submitting claims. It is crucial to make your dates of treatment as accurately as you can, and then send the requested information as soon as possible to the VA.

PTSD

It is possible to experience long-lasting effects on both your body and mind after trauma. This can result in flashbacks, nightmares, trouble concentrating at school or at work fears or horror, as well as a lack of interest in things you used to enjoy. It can also trigger depression or anxiety and can result in substance abuse especially in teenagers and young adults.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for PTSD. They can assist you in getting back on track with your life and help reduce the symptoms. The majority of the time, they involve psychological treatments like counseling or therapy. However, medications are also available.

Research on PTSD has revealed that the condition is not solely caused by trauma. It is also caused by changes in the way your brain functions. It can also be aggravated by personal and environmental triggers like living in areas of war or having an illness history.

Mental health issues like PTSD are deemed "high value" claims by VA because they are more difficult to disprove using medical evidence than conditions like skin, neurological, or auditory issues. Additionally, veterans with debilitating mental health conditions are more likely to receive a disability rating of 30% or more over those with other ailments.