How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation

You could be eligible for compensation if you are a veteran and have suffered an impairment due to an illness or injury that was sustained while serving in the military. But the process is complex.

It is recommended that you submit all of your documents in the earliest time possible. VA requires time to be reviewed and determine the rating.

Disabilities that are related to service

Service-connected disabilities are those that were incurred or worsened in military service. These include physical health conditions like chronic knee injuries or Lou Gehrig's disease and mental health issues such as PTSD. This includes chronic skin conditions that require frequent VA visits to get special devices or ointments. These kinds of veterans disability attorney usually have the right to compensation and services which include free healthcare and prescription drugs.

To prove their service Veterans must have medical evidence that links their medical 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 uses a rating scale, based on Congressional law to determine which conditions are eligible for compensation and at what percentage. In general, the higher a disability rating then the more benefits are available.

A 100 percent permanent and total disability rating is the highest level that can be achieved rating, which means that a disabled veteran cannot pursue any kind of work that can be considered lucrative. People with a rating this high could be eligible for monthly benefits that are called Aid and Attendance. This is a way for veterans with a disability or their surviving spouse to receive assistance in everyday activities like dressing, bathing, legal eating, cleaning and attending to the needs of nature. This includes arranging for transportation and making modifications to the home to make the surroundings more accessible.

Permanent and Total Disabilities Permanent and Total

A VA determination of disability can be a lifeline for a lot of Veterans. The extra income that comes from a disability grant can be extremely helpful and affordable as it is tax-free. It might not cover the mortgage, but it can provide food on the table and get students through college. It can mean the difference between poverty and having a home and a car.

After a veteran's claim has been approved at the Regional Office level and they receive an Assessment Decision. This lists their service-connected conditions and assigns a disability rating to each. In some cases conditions, a condition is graded 100%, while multiple conditions can be grouped to produce a rating known as Total Disabled Unemployment (TDIU). TDIU signifies that the combined effects of all of your conditions hinder you from holding a job that is essentially lucrative employment, and this is an indefinite designation.

If you have an TDIU rating, you can request that it be upgraded to a permanent and total rating by submitting an application for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). The VA offers this benefit to veterans who have been completely and permanently disabled due to an loss of organs, amputation or body parts or any combination of the two. This is a permanent distinction however, the C&P examiner is able to reduce the rating if they find that your impairment has improved or may be improved in the future.

Disabilities Related to Service

Many veterans suffer from illnesses that have a profound impact on their ability to work or lead an active lifestyle, such as chronic mental health issues, pain (like PTSD) and injuries. Disability compensation can assist these veterans deal with the financial burdens of these ailments that can be severe and last for a long time.

The VA uses a system to rate disabilities to determine their extent of the disability and calculate benefit amounts. The ratings vary from 0% and 100%, with higher percentages denoting higher levels of disability. This rating is based on several factors, such as the impact that the injury or illness had on the veteran's life and daily activities.

veterans disability lawyer might be able to show an immediate service connection to their impairment in certain cases. For instance, a traumatizing brain injury or a paralysis can be considered to be a direct service connection in the event that there is evidence of the illness or injury occurring during military service. However, certain ailments such as tinnitus or anxiety disorders or depression are considered to be secondary conditions that aren't directly connected to the veteran's military service.

Veterans must provide as many medical records and other proof as they can to be eligible for benefits. This could include personal records of medical treatment and treatments for service. A County Veterans Service Office, or Veterans Service Representative, can assist in speeding up the process of filing claims. It is important to be as accurate as possible when reporting dates of treatment, and to submit requested information to the VA promptly.

PTSD

If you've been through a traumatizing event, it may have lasting effects on your body and mind. It can result in nightmares and flashbacks, difficulty concentrating at work or school in fear of or feeling terrorized and fear, and decrease in interest in the activities you used to enjoy. It can also trigger anxiety or depression and may result in substance abuse particularly in teens and young adults.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for PTSD. They can assist you in getting back in the right direction and reduce your symptoms. Most involve psychological treatment, such as counseling or talking therapy but medicines are also available.

Research on PTSD has revealed that the condition is not only caused by trauma but changes in how your brain functions. It may also be aggravated by certain environmental and personal factors, such as living in an area of war or having a family history of mental illness.

Mental health issues, such as PTSD, are considered "high-value" claims by the VA because they are more difficult to disprove using medical evidence, unlike conditions such as neurological, skin or musculoskeletal disorders. Veterans with mental health issues that are disabling are more likely to receive a disability rating above 30% than those who do not.