How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation

You could be eligible for compensation if you are a veteran and have been afflicted with a disability because of an illness or injury sustained during military service. The process isn't easy.

It is best to send your claims documentation as soon as you are able to. VA requires time for these documents to be evaluated and to give an rating.

Disabilities caused by service

Service-connected disabilities are those that resulted from or worsened during military service. They include physical health issues such as chronic knee injuries and Lou Gehrig's Disease, and mental health issues such as PTSD. This includes chronic skin issues that require frequent VA visits to get special devices or ointments. Veterans with this kind of condition are often eligible for compensation and benefits. This includes free medical care, prescription medication and other benefits.

To prove their service Veterans must have medical evidence linking their condition to their military service. This is typically from service treatment records. However, independent medical opinions and the nexus letter may also be helpful.

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

The highest rating that can be achieved is 100% permanent and complete disabilities. This means that the veteran is unable to pursue any kind of lucrative employment. Those with a rating of this high are eligible for additional monthly benefits, known as Aid and Attendance. This is a way for veterans with disabilities or their surviving spouse to receive assistance with daily activities like dressing, bathing, and feeding, cleaning and attending to nature's needs. This includes arranging transportation as well as making home modifications to make the house more accessible.

Permanent and Total Disabilities Permanent and Total

For many Veterans the VA determination of disability is a lifeline. The additional income from a disability grant can be extremely helpful and affordable, as it is tax-free. It may not cover the mortgage, but it can help put food on the table and get kids through college. It can even make the difference between living in poverty and having a roof over your head and an automobile in the garage.

After a veteran's claim has been approved at the Regional Office after which they will be issued a Rating Decision. The Rating Decision outlines the veteran's conditions related to service and assigns a rating to each. In some cases the condition is rated 100%, while multiple conditions could be combined to give a rating of Total Disabled Unemployment (TDIU). TDIU is a permanent designation that means the combined effects of your condition prevent you from maintaining an employment that is substantial and lucrative.

You can request an upgrade to a permanent rating if you are a TDIU. To apply for this, you must submit a claim for Special Monthly Compensation. This is an additional benefit that the VA provides to veterans who are permanently and completely disabled due to an amputation or loss of use of body organs or body parts. This is an unavoidable distinction. However the C&P Examiner could reduce your rating if your impairments improve or could increase.

Service-Related Disabilities

Many veterans are suffering from conditions that have a significant impact on their ability to lead an active or productive existence. They are afflicted with chronic pain, mental health issues (like PTSD), and injuries. Disability compensation can help veterans to offset the financial burden of these ailments. These issues can be serious and can last for a long time.

The VA utilizes an assessment system that determines the severity of disability and benefits. The ratings vary between zero and 100 percent, with higher percentages denoting higher levels of disability. The criteria for determining this rating is based on many factors, including the effect the injury or illness has on the veteran's daily life and life.

Veterans might be able to show an unambiguous connection between their service and their impairment in certain cases. If there is proof that the illness or injury was caused by military service, then a head injury that has been traumatic or paralysis might be considered an immediate service connection. However, certain ailments such as tinnitus or anxiety or depression disorders, might be considered secondary conditions that are not directly related to the veteran's military service.

veterans disability lawsuits should provide as many medical records and other documents as they can to be eligible for benefits. This could include private medical records as well as service treatment records. The support of a County Veterans Service Office or Veterans Service Representative can also speed up the claims process. It is crucial to be as precise as you can when reporting dates of treatment and to submit requested information to the VA as soon as you can.

PTSD

If you've been through a traumatizing event, it can have lasting effects on your body and mind. This could include nightmares and flashbacks, difficulty concentrating at work or school or at work, feelings of fear and fear, and decrease in interest in the activities you used to enjoy. It can also lead to anxiety or depression, and could lead to abuse substances.

There are effective treatments for PTSD. They can assist you in getting back on track in your life and lessen the symptoms. Most involve psychological treatment, such as talking therapy or counseling however, medications can also be used.

Research on PTSD suggests that it's not just a result of trauma, but also by changes in brain functioning. It may also be aggravated by certain personal and environmental factors, such as being in a war zone or having a family history of mental illness.

Mental health issues, like PTSD, are considered "high-value" claims by the VA because they are harder to prove using medical evidence, unlike conditions such as skin, auditory or musculoskeletal problems. Veterans disability law firms suffering from mental illness are more likely to be awarded a disability rating that is higher than 30 percent than those who do not.