7 Things About Veterans Disability Legal You ll Kick Yourself For Not Knowing

How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation

You may be entitled to compensation if you are a veteran who suffered a disability due to illness or injury sustained during military service. The process isn't easy.

It is recommended to submit your claims documents in the shortest time possible. VA requires time to review them and assign a rating to your situation.

Service-Connected Disabilities

Service-connected disabilities are those that resulted from or aggravated while in military service. They include physical health issues such as chronic knee injuries and Lou Gehrig's disease as well as mental health problems such as PTSD. Also, it includes recurring disorders like chronic skin conditions, which require frequent visits to the VA for special ointments, appliances and other products. Veterans with this kind of condition are usually eligible for compensation and benefits. This includes free health care, prescription medications and other benefits.

To prove that a connection to service exists an individual veteran must provide solid medical evidence linking their health condition to their experience in the military. This usually comes from the records of treatment for service, however independent medical opinions and nexus letters can help, too.

The VA utilizes a list of ratings which is based on Congressional laws to determine what conditions are eligible for compensation and in what proportion. In general the higher the rating for disability the greater the benefits that are available.

A 100 percent permanent and total disability rating is the highest level that can be achieved rating and means that a veteran isn't able to pursue any kind of gainful employment. People who score this high may be eligible to receive additional monthly benefits, known as Aid and Attendance. This helps veterans with disabilities or their surviving spouse to receive assistance with daily activities like dressing, bathing and feeding, cleaning and taking care of the needs of nature. This includes organizing transportation and modifying the home to make the home more accessible.

Permanent disabilities that are total

A VA determination of disability can be lifesaving for many Veterans. The extra income that comes from a disability check can be extremely helpful and affordable because it is tax-free. It may not cover your mortgage, but it can buy food for 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 parked in the garage.

After a claim for a veteran has been approved at the Regional Office the veteran will receive a Rating Decision. The Rating Decision lists the veteran's service-related ailments and assigns a score to each. In some cases one condition is rated 100 percent, while in other cases multiple conditions, they are combined into what's called a Total Disabled Individual Unemployability (TDIU) rating. TDIU signifies that the combined effects of all of your ailments hinder you from retaining a substantial amount of job, and disability it's an indefinite designation.

You can apply for an upgrade to a permanent total rating if you are a TDIU. To do this, you have to file an application for Special Monthly Compensation. The VA provides this benefit to veterans who are completely and permanently disabled as a result of an injury, loss of organs or body parts, or the combination of both. This is a permanent distinction however, the C&P examiner could reduce your rating if they believe that your impairments have improved or could improve in the future.

Service-Related Disabilities

Many veterans suffer from ailments which have a significant effect on their ability to lead an active and productive life. This includes chronic pain, mental disorders (like PTSD), and injuries. Disability compensation is a way to help veterans deal with the financial burden of these conditions. These issues can be serious and last a long time.

The VA utilizes an assessment system that rates disabilities to determine their severity of the condition and determine the benefit amount. The ratings vary between 0% and 100% and higher percentages indicating greater levels of disabilities. The criteria for determining this rating is based on several factors, including the effect the injury or illness can have on the veteran's daily activities as well as lifestyle.

In some instances it is possible for veterans disability lawsuits to prove a direct connection to their impairment. If evidence exists that the injury or illness occurred during military service for example, a head injury resulting in trauma or paralysis could be considered as a direct service connection. However, some conditions such as tinnitus or depression or anxiety disorders, might be considered secondary conditions that are not directly connected to the veteran's military service.

To be eligible for benefits, veterans should provide as the most medical and other evidence as possible. This can include private documents of medical treatment as well as service treatment. A County Veterans Service Office, or Veterans Service Representative, can assist in speeding the claim process. It is crucial to provide dates of treatment as precisely as possible and send the requested information as quickly as you can to the VA.

PTSD

If you've had a difficult event, it can have lasting effects on your body and mind. This could include nightmares and flashbacks, difficulties concentrating at work or school or at work, feelings of fear and fear, and a decline in the interests you used to enjoy. It can also cause anxiety or depression and could cause substance abuse, especially in teenagers 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 the symptoms. The majority of them involve psychological treatments such as talking therapy or counseling but medicines can also be utilized.

Research on PTSD has proven that the condition isn't just caused by trauma but changes in how your brain functions. It can also be aggravated by certain environmental and personal factors, such as being in a war zone or having a family history of mental illness.

Mental health issues like PTSD are deemed "high value" claims by VA because they are more difficult to disprove with medical evidence than other conditions like skin, neurological, or auditory issues. Veterans suffering from disabling mental disorders are more likely to receive a disability rating of 30% than those who don't.