How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation

You could be eligible for compensation if are a veteran who has suffered an impairment due to an illness or injury that was sustained while serving in the military. The process can be complex.

It is recommended to submit your claims in the shortest time possible. VA needs time to evaluate them and determine a rating for your claim.

Service-Connected Disabilities

Disabilities that are related to service are those that were caused or exacerbated by military service. Physical health issues like Lou Gehrig's Disease and chronic knee injuries, as well mental health issues such as PTSD are all included. Additionally, there are recurring illnesses like chronic skin disorders, which require frequent visits to the VA for special ointments and devices. Veterans with this kind of condition are often eligible for compensation and services. This includes free healthcare, prescription medications and other benefits.

To prove that they have a connection to their service veterans must provide medical evidence that ties their medical condition to their military service. This usually comes from the records of treatment for service, however independent medical opinions and nexus letters could aid, too.

The VA utilizes a rating system which is based on Congressional law, to determine which conditions are eligible for benefits and at what percentage. In general the higher the rating for disability, the more benefits offered.

The highest rating possible is 100% permanent and total disabilities. This means that the veteran is unable to seek any kind of a lucrative job. Those who are rated this high are likely to be eligible for additional monthly benefits known as Aid and Attendance. This allows disabled veterans or their spouse with a survivor to receive assistance in daily tasks such as dressing, bathing or cleaning, eating and addressing the needs of nature. This includes arranging transportation and making home adaptations to make the environment more accessible.

Permanent and Total Disability

For a lot of Veterans who are disabled, a VA determination of disability is a lifeline. The extra income that comes from a disability grant is extremely beneficial and affordable since it is tax-free. It might not be enough to pay for your mortgage, but you can afford food on the dinner table and send your children to college. It could even be the difference between living in poverty and having a roof over your head and having a car in the garage.

After a claim from a veteran has been approved at the Regional Office level and they receive an official Rating Decision. The Rating Decision lists the veteran's conditions related to service and assigns a rating for each. In certain instances, a condition is rated 100%, and multiple conditions could be combined to produce a rating known as Total Disabled Unemployment (TDIU). TDIU is the term used to describe the effects of all of your conditions hinder you from retaining substantial gainful job, and it's an ongoing designation.

You can request an upgrade to a permanent rating if you have a TDIU. To do this, you must file an application for Special Monthly Compensation. This is a benefit that the VA offers to veterans disability law firms who are permanently and totally disabled because of an amputation or loss of use of organs or body parts. This is a permanent distinction, however, the C&P examiner is able to reduce the score if they decide that your impairment has improved or may improve in the near future.

Service-Related Disabilities

Many veterans suffer from conditions that have a profound impact on their ability to work or live an active lifestyle, including chronic problems with mental health, pain (like PTSD) and injuries. Disability compensation can help these veterans deal with the financial burdens of these conditions that can be severe and long-lasting.

The VA uses a system for assessing disabilities to determine the severity and the amount of benefits. The ratings range from zero and 100%, with higher percentages denoting higher levels of disability. This rating is based upon many factors, including the effect the illness or injury has on the veteran's daily activities as well as life.

Veterans may be able show an unambiguous connection between their service and their impairment in certain cases. If there is evidence that the illness or injury occurred during military service the head injury that is traumatic or paralysis might be considered as a direct service connection. However, some conditions like tinnitus and anxiety disorders or depression could be considered to be secondary conditions that are not directly connected to the veteran's military service.

To claim benefits, veterans need to submit as as much medical evidence and other documentation as possible. This can include medical records that are private and service treatment records. A County Veterans Service Office, or veterans disability law firms Service Representative, can help speed up the process of claiming. It is essential to be as exact as possible when reporting dates of treatment, and to submit requested information to the VA in the earliest time possible.

PTSD

It is possible to have long-lasting effects on your body and mind following an event that is traumatic. This could include flashbacks and nightmares, difficulties concentrating at work or school or at school, Veterans disability law firms feelings of anxiety and terror, and a lack of interest in things you used to love. It can also lead to anxiety or depression, and could result in substance abuse particularly among teenagers and young adults.

There are effective treatments for PTSD. They can help you get your life back on track and lessen your symptoms. The majority of the time they require psychological therapies like counseling or talk therapy. However, medications can be used.

Research on PTSD suggests that it's not just caused by trauma, but can also be caused by changes in brain function. It can also be exacerbated by personal and environmental triggers such as living in war zones or having a history of mental illness.

Mental health issues, like PTSD, are considered "high-value" claims by the VA because they are more difficult to prove with medical evidence than conditions like skin, neurological or musculoskeletal issues. Veterans suffering from mental illness are more likely to be awarded a disability rating of 30% than those with no.