How to File a Veterans Disability Claim

A claim for disability benefits for veterans is an application for compensation due to an injury or illness related to military service. It could also be a claim for dependency and indemnity payment (DIC) for spouses who survive and dependent children.

A veteran may need to provide evidence in support of an claim. Claimants can expedite the process by scheduling appointments for medical examinations and sending documents requested promptly.

Identifying the Disabling Condition

The military can lead to injuries and diseases such as arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions, and firms strains. ) and respiratory issues and loss of hearing, are very common among veterans. These illnesses and injuries are considered to be disability-related at a higher rate than other conditions due to their long-lasting consequences.

If you were diagnosed as having an injury or illness while on active duty, the VA will require evidence that this was caused by your service. This includes both medical clinic records and private hospital records regarding your illness or injury as well as statements from relatives and friends regarding your symptoms.

The severity of your condition is a significant aspect. If you work hard, younger vets can recover from certain bone and muscle injuries. As you get older however, your chances of recovering diminish. It is important that veterans file a claim for disability even if their condition is grave.

If you are a recipient of an assessment of 100 percent permanent and total disability are able to apply for Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability Insurance (SSI/SSDI). To speed up the SSA application process, it is beneficial to have the Veteran provide their VA rating notification letter from the regional office that confirms the rating as "permanent" and states that there are no future tests scheduled.

Gathering Medical Evidence

If you'd like to have your VA disability benefits to be approved the benefits will require medical evidence to prove that the medical condition is severe and incapacitating. This can include private records, a written letter from a doctor or a different health care provider who treats your illness. It could include videos or images which show your symptoms.

The VA is legally required to take reasonable steps to obtain relevant evidence on behalf of you. This includes both federal and non-federal records (private medical records for example). The agency should continue to search for these records until it is reasonably certain that they do not exist. Otherwise, further efforts will be in vain.

The VA will prepare an examination report once it has all the relevant information. The report is usually dependent on the claimant's symptoms and past. It is usually submitted to a VA Examiner.

This report is used to make a decision on the claimant's eligibility for disability benefits. If the VA decides that the illness is caused by service, the applicant will be granted benefits. The veteran may appeal against a VA decision when they disagree with the decision by submitting a formal notice of disagreement and requesting that a higher level examiner review their case. This is referred to as a Supplemental State of the Case. The VA may also allow a reopening of the claim that was denied previously if it is presented with new and relevant evidence to back the claim.

How to File a Claim

To support your claim for disability, the VA will require all of your medical records and service records. They can be provided by filling out the eBenefits application on the web in person at a local VA office, or by mail using Form 21-526EZ. In certain cases you may need to provide additional documents or statements.

It is also necessary to find any medical records from the civil service that can support your health condition. This process can be made easier by providing the VA with the full address of the medical facility where you received treatment. Also, you should give the dates of your treatment.

After you have provided all necessary paperwork and medical documentation and medical evidence, the VA will conduct an C&P exam. This will involve an examination of the affected body part and depending on your condition, may include lab work or X-rays. The examiner will prepare a report, which he or she will forward to the VA.

If the VA determines that you're entitled to benefits, they'll mail an official decision letter which includes an introduction and their decision to accept or deny your claim. They will also provide a rating and a specific disability benefit amount. If you are denied, they will provide the evidence they analyzed and the reason they came to their decision. If you contest the appeal, the VA will issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

Getting a Decision

It is vital that the claimants are aware of all the forms and documents required during the gathering and reviewing evidence. The entire process could be slowed down if a form or document is not completed correctly. It is also crucial that applicants keep appointments for exams and keep them on time.

The VA will make the final decision after examining all evidence. This decision will either accept or deny it. If the claim is rejected You can submit a Notice of Disagreement to request an appeal.

The next step is to write a Statement of Case (SOC). The SOC is a record of all the evidence considered, actions taken, the decisions made, and the laws governing those decisions.

During the SOC process it is also possible for a claimant provide additional information or to have certain claims reviewed. This is known as a Supplemental Claims or Higher-Level Review, also known as a Board Appeal. Adding new information to an existing claim can aid in speeding up the process. These appeals allow an experienced or senior law judge to look over the initial claim for disability again and, if necessary, make a different determination.