How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation

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

It is best to complete all your paperwork in the earliest time possible. VA requires time to review them and assign a rating to your situation.

Disabilities related to service

Disabilities that are service-related are those that were acquired or worsened by military service. These include physical health conditions like chronic knee injuries, Lou Gehrig's disease and mental health issues like PTSD. Additionally, there are recurring illnesses, such as chronic skin conditions that require frequent visits to the VA for special ointments or appliances. These types of veterans disability lawyers often qualify for compensation and services, including no-cost healthcare and prescription drugs.

To prove their service, veterans must have medical evidence that ties their condition to their military service. This is typically determined by the service treatment records. However, independent medical opinions and an nexus statement can also help.

The VA utilizes a rating system that is based on Congressional law to determine which ailments are eligible for benefits and at what percentage. The higher the disability rating is and the higher the benefits will be available.

A 100 percent permanent and total disability rating is the highest one can get rating, meaning that a veteran isn't able to pursue any type of job that is lucrative. Those with a rating of this high can be eligible for additional monthly benefits known as Aid and Attendance. This allows a veteran with disabilities or their survivor spouse to receive assistance with daily chores like dressing, bathing and eating, cleaning and attending to nature's needs. This includes arranging transportation and making home adaptations to make the surroundings more easily accessible.

Permanent and Total Disabilities

For a lot of Veterans who are disabled, a VA determination of disability is a lifeline. The extra money earned from an income from a disability check is tax-free, making it very cost-effective and extremely useful. It might not be enough to pay for your mortgage, but you can get food on the dinner table and send your children to college. It can mean the difference between being poor and having a house and car.

After a claim for a veteran has been accepted by the Regional Office after which they will receive an Rating Decision. The Rating Decision lists the veteran's service-related ailments and assigns a score to each. In some instances one condition is rated as 100 percent, while in other instances, multiple conditions are combined into what's called a Total Disabled Individual Unemployability (TDIU) rating. TDIU is the term used to describe the effects of all your ailments prevent you from holding a job that is essentially lucrative employment, and this is an ongoing designation.

If you have a TDIU rating You can request it be upgraded to a permanent and complete rating by submitting a claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). The VA offers this benefit to veterans who have been permanently and totally disabled as a result of an accident, loss of organs or body parts or an amalgamation of both. This is an unavoidable distinction. However the C&P Examiner could reduce your rating in the event that your impairments get worse or improve.

Service-Related Disabilities

Many veterans suffer from illnesses which have a profound impact on their ability to lead an active or productive life. These include chronic pain, mental health issues (like PTSD), and injuries. Disability compensation can help veterans reduce the financial burden of these ailments. These ailments can be very severe and last for a long time.

The VA utilizes a system to rate disabilities to determine their extent of the disability and calculate benefit amounts. The ratings range from 0% to percent with higher percentages suggesting greater levels of disability. The criteria for determining this rating is based on several factors, such as the impact the injury or illness caused on the veteran's daily life and daily activities.

Veterans may be able to prove an unambiguous connection between their service and their disability in some cases. For example, a traumatic brain injury or paralysis may be considered to be a direct connection to service if there is evidence that shows the injury or illness that occurred during military service. However, certain ailments like tinnitus and depression or anxiety disorders may be considered secondary conditions that are not directly connected to the veteran's military service.

Veterans should provide as many medical records and other documents as they can in order to claim benefits. This can include private records of medical treatment and service treatment. A County Veterans Service Office, or Veterans Service Representative, can assist in speeding up the process of claiming. It is vital to submit dates of treatment as accurately as you can and provide the requested information as quickly as you can to the VA.

PTSD

It is possible to have long-lasting effects on both your body and mind following trauma. This can result in flashbacks, veterans disability nightmares, difficulty concentrating at school or at work fears and horror and a lack of interest in activities you used to love. It can also trigger anxiety or depression, and could cause substance abuse, particularly in teens and young adults.

There are effective treatments for PTSD. They can aid you in getting back on track with your life and help reduce the symptoms. The majority times, they involve psychological treatments such as counseling or talking therapy. However, medications are also available.

Research on PTSD has shown that the condition isn't solely caused by trauma, but changes in the way that your brain works. It can also be exacerbated by personal and environmental factors like living in the war zone or having an illness history.

Mental health problems such as PTSD are regarded as "high value" claims by VA because they are more difficult to disprove by medical evidence than conditions like skin, neurological or auditory problems. Moreover, veterans who have debilitating mental health conditions are more likely to be awarded a disability rating of 30% or more than those suffering from other conditions.