How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation
If you're a veteran suffering from an illness or injury caused by military service, you may qualify for veterans disability compensation. The process isn't easy.
It is best to send all your documents promptly. VA needs time for them to be evaluated and to determine an rating.
Service-Connected Disabilities
Disabilities that are a result of service are those that were suffered or worsened through military service. They include physical health issues like chronic knee injuries, Lou Gehrig's disease, as well as mental health issues like PTSD. It also includes recurrent illnesses, such as chronic skin disorders, which require frequent visits to the VA for special ointments and appliances. Veterans with this kind of condition are often qualified for compensation and other services. This includes no-cost healthcare, prescription medications and other benefits.
To prove connection to service, veterans must have medical evidence that links their medical condition to their military service. This typically comes from service treatment records, although independent medical opinions and nexus letters could help, too.
The VA uses a set of ratings which is based on Congressional laws to determine what conditions qualify for compensation, and in what percentage. The higher the disability rating is, the more benefits are available.
A 100 100% permanent and total disability rating is the highest possible rating, meaning that a veteran can't follow any kind of lucrative employment. People who score this high may be eligible for additional monthly benefits known as Aid and Attendance. This allows disabled
veterans disability law firm or their spouse of surviving receive assistance with daily chores like washing, dressing and eating, cleaning up and addressing the needs of nature. This includes organizing transportation and making home modifications to make the surroundings more accessible.
Permanent and Total Disabilities
For a lot of Veterans for many, a VA determination of disability is an important lifeline. The extra income from an SSD check is tax free which makes it affordable and extremely helpful. It might not cover the mortgage, but it can help put food on the table and aid children through college. It can be the difference between having a job and having a house and a car.
After a veteran's claim has been accepted by the Regional Office after which they will be issued a Rating Decision. The document lists their service-connected ailments and assigns a disability score to each. In some instances, a single condition is evaluated at 100 percent, while in other cases multiple conditions are combined into what's called a Total Disabled Individual Unemployment (TDIU) rating. TDIU means that the cumulative effects of all of your ailments hinder you from retaining a substantial amount of employment, and this is an indefinite designation.
You can request an upgrade to a permanent rating if you are a TDIU. In order to do this, you must file an application for Special Monthly Compensation. The VA offers this benefit to veterans who have been completely and permanently disabled as a result of an injury, loss of organs or body parts, or any combination of the two. This is a permanent distinction but the C&P examiner can reduce the score if they decide that your impairments have improved or could improve in the future.
Service-Related Disabilities
Many veterans suffer from conditions that have a major impact on their ability to lead an active and productive lifestyle. These include chronic pain, mental health issues (like PTSD), and injuries. Disability compensation can help these veterans offset the financial effects of these conditions, which can be severe and long-lasting.
The VA utilizes a system for assessing disabilities to determine the severity and the amount of benefits. The ratings range from zero and 100% and higher percentages indicating higher levels of disability. This rating is based on several factors, including the effect the illness or injury can have on the veteran's daily life and lifestyle.
Veterans may be able show a direct service connection with their disability in some cases. For instance, a traumatic brain injury or paralysis may be considered to be a direct connection to service in the event that there is evidence of the injury or illness that occurred during military service. However, certain conditions like tinnitus and anxiety or depression disorders may be considered secondary conditions that are not directly related to the service of a veteran.
To be eligible for benefits, veterans should submit as much medical and other evidence as possible. This could include personal records of medical treatment and treatment received during service. With the help of a County
Veterans Service Office or Veterans Service Representative can also speed up the claims process. It is important that you report dates of treatment as accurately as you can and provide the requested information as quickly as you can to the VA.
PTSD
If you've been through a traumatizing event, it can have lasting effects on your body and mind. This can include nightmares and flashbacks, difficulty concentrating at work or school as well as feelings of terror and anxiety, as well as a decline in the interests you used to enjoy. It could also lead to anxiety or depression and may cause you to abuse substances.
There are effective treatments for PTSD. They can assist you in getting back on track with your life and ease your symptoms. Most involve psychological treatment such as counseling or talk therapy but medication can also be used.
Research on PTSD has revealed that the condition is not solely caused by trauma. It is also caused by changes in the way your brain functions. It can also be aggravated by certain personal and environmental factors, like living in an area of war or having a family history of mental illness.
Mental health issues, such as PTSD are deemed "high-value" claims by the VA because they are harder to disprove by medical evidence than other conditions like neurological, skin or musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, veterans with disabling mental health conditions are much more likely to be granted a disability rating that is 30% or greater than those who suffer from other ailments.