How to File a Veterans Disability Case

Many veterans experience medical issues when they enter the military, but do not reveal them or treat them. They think they'll go away or get better after a time.

As the years go by, these problems get worse. Now they need VA assistance to receive compensation. The problem is that the VA will not believe them.

Getting Started

Many veterans wait for a long time before making an claim. They may feel that they can manage the problem or that it will go away by itself, without treatment. It is crucial to begin a claim as soon as the symptoms of disability get serious enough. Let the VA be aware if you are planning to file a claim on a later date by submitting an intent to file. This will enable you to establish an earlier effective date and make it easier to get your back pay.

It is vital to provide all the relevant documentation when you file your initial claim. This includes any medical clinics in the civilian sector and hospital records that relate to the injuries or illnesses you intend to claim, as well as any military records pertaining to your service.

Once the VA accepts your claim they will review it and seek additional evidence from you and your health medical professionals. Once they have the data they require, they'll arrange for you to take an examination to determine your compensation and pension (C&P) to determine your rating.

This is best done in conjunction with the separation physical, to ensure that your disability is recognized as service-connected even if it's not%. It will be easier to request an increase in rating if your condition becomes worse.

Documentation

To be able to claim the benefits you are entitled to, it is vital that you give your VA disability lawyer with all of the relevant documentation. This could include medical records, service records and even lay evidence, such as letters from friends, family members or coworkers who know how your disabilities affect you.

Your VSO can help you gather the necessary documentation. This can include medical records from the VA Hospital, private physician's report or diagnostic tests, and other evidence that shows that you suffer from a chronic illness and that your service in the Armed Forces caused or worsened it.

VA will then assess the evidence to determine your disability rating. This is done by using a schedule created by Congress which defines the types of disabilities that are eligible for compensation and at what percentage.

If VA determines that you are suffering from a qualifying disability, they will inform you of this decision in writing, and [Redirect-302] then send the relevant documents to Social Security for processing. If they determine that you don't have a qualifying disability then the VSO will return the document to you, and the decision is yours to appeal within a specific time.

A VA attorney can help you get the evidence you need to prove your claim. In addition to medical documentation our veterans advocate will get opinions from independent medical examiners and a statement from your VA treating physician on the impact of your disability on your daily life.

Meeting with VSO VSO

A VSO can help with a range of programs that go beyond disability compensation. They can help with vocational rehabilitation as well as employment, home loans and group life insurance. They can also assist with medical benefits as well as military burial benefits. They will go through your medical records and service records to determine what federal programs are available to you. They will also fill in the required paperwork.

Many accredited representatives work for VA-accredited/federally chartered veterans service organizations (VSOs), which are private non-profit groups that advocate on behalf of Veterans, Servicemembers, and their families. They are legally authorized to represent an Veteran or dependent who has a claim to any federal benefit.

After the VA receives all of your evidence, they will go over it, and then give you an assessment of disability based on your severity of symptoms. A VSO can discuss your rating as well as any other state benefits, for which you could be eligible, after you have received a decision from the federal VA.

The VSO can assist you in requesting an interview with the VA in the event that you are dissatisfied with a decision made by the federal VA. The Appeals Modernization Act provides three "lanes" to appeal. They include a supplementary claim or a review at a higher level or a notice of disagreement to the Board of Veterans Appeals. A VSO can help you decide which appeal/review options are best for your situation.

Appeal

The VA appeals process can be complicated and lengthy. It could take a full time of up to a year before you receive the outcome, depending on the AMA lane you choose and whether your case qualifies for priority processing. A veteran disability lawyer can help you determine the best way to proceed and file a formal appeal on your behalf, if necessary.

There are three options for appealing the denial of veterans' benefits However, each takes a different amount of time. A lawyer can assist you in deciding which one is right for your situation and explain the VA disability appeals process so that you know what you can expect.

If you want to forgo the DRO review and instead go directly to the BVA You must submit an appeal form 9 formal appeal and wait for the regional office of your region to transfer your appeal to the Board. The BVA will then issue an Statement of Case (SOC). You can request a private hearing before the BVA, but it isn't required.

A supplemental claim gives you the chance to present new and relevant evidence to the VA. This could include medical evidence however, it can also include non-medical proof such as lay assertions. A lawyer can submit these statements and request independent medical tests as well an opinion of a vocational expert on your behalf. If the BVA decides to deny your claim you may appeal to the Court of Appeals for Two Rivers danville veterans disability lawyer Disability Law Firm (Vimeo.Com) Claims.