How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation

If you're a former soldier suffering from an illness or injury caused by military service, you might qualify for veterans disability compensation. But the process is difficult.

It is recommended that you complete all your paperwork as soon as you can. VA requires time to be reviewed and determine an rating.

Service-Connected Disabilities

The most common service-related disabilities are those that were suffered or worsened through military service. Physical health conditions, such as Lou Gehrig's disease and chronic knee injuries, along with mental health issues such as PTSD are covered in. Additionally, there are recurring illnesses like chronic skin conditions that require frequent visits to the VA for special ointments and appliances. These kinds of veterans usually are eligible for compensation and benefits which include free healthcare and prescription medications.

In order to prove service-connection veterans must have solid medical evidence linking their condition to their service in the military. This usually comes from the records of treatment for service, however independent medical opinions and nexus letters could aid, too.

The VA uses a schedule of ratings which is based on Congressional laws to determine which conditions qualify for compensation, and at what percentage. Generally, the higher the disability rating is, the more benefits are available.

A 100% permanent and total disability rating is the highest level that can be achieved, and it means that a veteran can't follow any kind of work that can be considered lucrative. Those with a rating of this high may qualify for monthly benefits that are called Aid and Attendance. This lets a veteran with disabilities or their surviving spouse receive assistance in daily chores like washing, dressing, eating, and cleaning up and attending to nature's needs. This includes organizing transportation and making modifications to the home to make the house more accessible.

Permanent and Total Disabilities

For a lot of Veterans, a VA determination of disability is a lifeline. The additional income derived from an income from a disability check is tax free and therefore very affordable and extremely helpful. It might not be enough to pay for your mortgage, but you can put food on the dinner table and send your kids to college. It can even make the difference between living in poverty and having a roof over your head and a car in the garage.

When a claim for a veteran is 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 it is possible to rate a condition 100%, and multiple conditions may be combined to produce a rating known as Total Disabled Unemployment (TDIU). TDIU is a term that can be used for a long time that means the cumulative effect of your conditions prevents you from retaining substantial gainful employment.

If you have an TDIU rating, you can request that it be upgraded to a permanent, total rating by filing a claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). This is a benefit that the VA offers to veterans who are permanently completely disabled due to amputation or loss of use of body organs or body parts. This is a permanent distinction however, the C&P examiner could reduce your rating if they find that your impairment has improved or may improve in the future.

Disabilities Associated with Service

Many veterans disability lawsuits suffer from conditions which have a significant effect on their ability to lead an active or productive life. These include chronic pain, mental illness (like PTSD), and injuries. Disability compensation can assist these veterans with the financial impacts of these ailments which can be serious and last for a long time.

The VA utilizes a rating system to determine the severity of disability and benefits. The ratings vary from zero and 100%, with higher percentages denoting higher levels of disability. This rating is based on a variety of factors, including the impact the illness or injury impacts the veteran's daily routine and lifestyle.

Veterans may be able to demonstrate a direct service connection with their disability in some cases. If there is proof that the injury or illness occurred during military service, the head injury that is traumatic or paralysis could be deemed as a direct connection to service. Certain conditions, such as tinnitus, depression, or anxiety disorders may be considered secondary conditions, and not directly related to a veteran's military service.

Veterans should provide as many medical records and other documents as possible to claim benefits. This could include personal records of medical treatment and treatment for service. A County veterans disability attorneys Service Office, or Veterans Service Representative, can aid in the speeding up of the claim process. It is important to be as accurate as you can when reporting dates of treatment and to submit requested information to the VA as soon as possible.

PTSD

If you've experienced a traumatic event, it can leave lasting effects on your body and mind. This can include flashbacks and nightmares, difficulty concentrating at work or school fears and horror and a lack of interest in activities you used to love. It can also lead to depression or anxiety and can cause substance abuse, especially among teens and young adults.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for PTSD. They can help you get your life back on track and help reduce your symptoms. Most times they involve psychological treatments like counseling or therapy. However, medications are also available.

Research on PTSD has shown that the condition isn't solely caused by trauma, but changes in how your brain works. It may also be aggravated by certain environmental and personal circumstances, such as living in the midst of war or having an ancestral history of mental illness.

Mental health issues, such as PTSD, are considered "high-value" claims by the VA because they are harder to prove using medical evidence, unlike conditions like neurological, skin, auditory or musculoskeletal problems. Additionally, veterans with chronic mental health issues are much more likely be granted a disability rating of 30% or higher over those with other ailments.