How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation

If you're a veteran suffering from an injury or illness that was caused by military service, you could qualify for veterans disability compensation. But the process can be difficult.

It is recommended that you submit your claims documents as soon as you can. VA requires time to be evaluated and to assign an rating.

Disabilities caused by service

The most common service-related disabilities are those that have been acquired or worsened by military service. They include physical health issues like chronic knee injuries or Lou Gehrig's Disease, as well as mental health issues such as PTSD. Additionally, there are recurring illnesses like chronic skin disorders, which require frequent visits to the VA for special ointments or appliances. These kinds of veterans usually are eligible for compensation and benefits which include free healthcare and prescription drugs.

To prove service-connection veterans must provide medical evidence that links their medical condition to their military service. This is usually determined by the service treatment records. However independent medical opinion and an nexus document can also help.

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

The highest possible rating is 100% permanent and complete disabilities. This means that the veteran cannot seek any kind of a lucrative employment. If they have a rating this high may qualify for additional monthly benefits called Aid and Attendance. This allows a disabled veteran or their spouse who is surviving to receive help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing or cleaning, eating and attending to the wants of nature. This can include arranging transportation and making changes to the home to make the environment more accessible.

Permanent and Total Disability

For many Veterans for many, a VA determination of disability is an essential lifeline. The additional income from a disability determination can be very beneficial and affordable since it is tax-free. It might not cover the mortgage, but it will aid in putting food on the table and help students through college. It can mean the difference between having a home and car.

Once a veteran's claim has been approved by the Regional Office, they will be issued a Rating Decision. The Rating Decision lists the veteran's conditions related to service and assigns a score to each. In some cases one condition is evaluated at 100 percent, while in other cases multiple conditions, they are combined into what's called the Total Disabled Individual (TDIU) rating. TDIU means that the combined effects of all your ailments hinder you from holding a job that is essentially lucrative employment, which is an indefinite designation.

If you have an TDIU rating and you wish to request it be upgraded to a permanent and complete rating by submitting a claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). The VA provides this benefit to veterans disability law firm who have been permanently and completely disabled as a result of an amputation, loss of organs or body part use, or an amalgamation of both. This is an unavoidable distinction. However, the C&P Examiner can reduce the rating if your impairments get worse or improve.

Service-Related Disabilities

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

The VA uses an assessment system that determines disability severity and benefit amounts. The ratings vary from 0% up to 100 percent with higher percentages suggesting greater levels of disability. This rating is based upon many factors, including the effect the illness or injury affects the veteran's daily activities and life.

Veterans may be able show the direct connection between their service and their disability in certain instances. For instance, a traumatic brain injury or paralysis might be considered a direct service connection if there is evidence of the illness or injury occurring during military service. However, some ailments such as tinnitus, anxiety or depression may be considered secondary conditions that aren't directly connected to the service of a veteran.

To be eligible for benefits, veterans must submit as much medical and other evidence as they can. This could include personal documents of medical treatment as well as treatments for service. A County Veterans Service Office, or Veterans Service Representative, can aid in the speeding up of 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 as soon as you can.

PTSD

It is possible to experience lasting effects on your body and mind after an experience that was traumatic. This could include flashbacks and nightmares, trouble concentrating at school or work fears or horror, as well as a lack of interest in the things you used to love. It can also lead to anxiety or depression and could result in addiction to substances, especially among teens and young adults.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for PTSD. They can assist you in getting your life back on track and help reduce your symptoms. Most times they involve psychological treatments such as counseling or talking therapy. However, medication are also used.

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

Mental health issues such as PTSD are deemed "high value" claims by VA because they are more difficult to disprove using medical evidence than ailments such as skin, neurological or auditory problems. Veterans with disabling mental conditions are more likely to be awarded a disability rating that is higher than 30 percent than those without.