How to File a Veterans Disability Claim

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

Veterans may be required to submit evidence to support their claim. Claimants can speed up the process by attending their appointments for medical examinations and submitting the required documents on time.

Recognizing a disabling condition

The military can cause injuries and diseases such as arthritis, musculoskeletal problems, and injuries. Veterans are more susceptible to respiratory problems hearing loss, respiratory problems and other ailments. These conditions and injuries are typically approved for disability compensation at a much greater rate than other conditions because they have long-lasting effects.

If you were diagnosed with an injury or illness during your time of service then the VA must prove that it was a result of your active duty. This includes medical clinic records and private hospital records relating to the injury or illness you suffered, and also statements from friends and family regarding your symptoms.

A key consideration is how serious your illness is. If you're a hard-working person younger vets may recover from certain bone and muscle injuries. As you get older, however, your chances of recovering decrease. This is why it's essential for veterans to file a claim for disability in the early stages, when their condition isn't too severe.

Those who have been rated as having a 100% permanent and total disability might be eligible to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance/Supplemental Security income (SSI/SSDI). To expedite the SSA application process, it's helpful for the veteran to provide their VA rating notification letter from the regional office. This letter declares the rating as "permanent" and indicates that no further tests are scheduled.

Gathering Medical Evidence

If you are seeking to get your VA disability benefits to be approved it will require medical evidence to prove that the condition is severe and disabling. This could include private documents, a letter from a doctor or another health care provider who treats your condition. It could also include photos or videos that show your symptoms.

The VA is required by law to make reasonable efforts to collect relevant evidence on your behalf. This includes federal records and non-federal records (private medical records, for example). The agency will continue to look for these records until it can be reasonably certain that they do not exist. Otherwise, any further efforts will be futile.

Once the VA has all the information required, it will prepare an examination report. The report is based on claimant's history and symptoms and is usually presented to an VA examiner.

This report is used to determine on the claimant's eligibility for disability benefits. If the VA finds that the condition is due to service, the applicant may be entitled to benefits. The veteran can appeal the VA decision in the event that they disagree, with the decision by submitting a formal notice of disagreement and asking a higher level examiner review their case. This process is called a Supplemental Statement of the Case. The VA may also allow a reopening of a previously denied claim if it is presented with new and relevant evidence to back the claim.

How to File a Claim

The VA will require all your medical records, service and military to prove your disability claim. You can submit these documents by filling out an eBenefits application on the VA website, in person at an VA office near you or via mail using Form 21-526EZ. In some cases you may require additional documents or forms.

It is also crucial to search for 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 care facility where you received treatment. Also, you should give the dates of your treatment.

Once you have submitted all required documentation and medical evidence, the VA will conduct a C&P exam. This will involve a physical examination of the affected body part and dependent on your disability it could include lab work or X-rays. The examiner will draft the report, which she or she will then send to the VA.

If the VA decides you are eligible for benefits, they will send you a letter of decision that includes an introduction, a decision to approve or deny your claim, a rating and the specific amount of disability benefit. If you are denied benefits, they will explain the evidence they reviewed and their reasoning for their decision. If you file an appeal the decision, the VA will send an Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

Making a Choice

It is important that claimants are aware of the forms and documentation required during the gathering and review of evidence. The entire process could be delayed if a form or document is not completed correctly. It is also crucial that applicants keep appointments for exams and to attend the exams as scheduled.

The VA will make the final decision after examining all evidence. The decision will either be to approve the claim or refuse it. If the claim is denied, it is possible to file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) in order to request an appeal of the decision.

If the NOD is filed, the next step in the process is to get an Statement of the Case (SOC) completed. The SOC is a record of all the evidence considered, actions taken, decisions made and the laws governing the decision.

During the SOC the claimant may also add new information to their claim or request that it be reviewed. This is referred to as Supplemental Claims or Higher-Level Review. It is also known as a Board Appeal. The addition of new information to an existing claim can aid in speeding up the process. These types of appeals permit a senior reviewer or a veterans law judge to go over the initial disability claim and potentially make a different decision.