How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation

If you're a former soldier suffering from an injury or illness caused by military service, you could be eligible for compensation for veterans disability. The process isn't easy.

It is recommended to complete all your paperwork as soon as you can. VA requires time to review them and give a rating to your claim.

Disabilities that are related to service

Disabilities that are service-related are those that have been incurred or worsened during military service. They include physical health issues like chronic knee injuries or Lou Gehrig's disease and mental health issues such as PTSD. Additionally, there are recurring illnesses, such as chronic skin conditions, which require frequent visits to the VA for special ointments, appliances and other products. Veterans of this type are often entitled to compensation and services. This includes no-cost healthcare, prescription medications and other benefits.

To prove connection to service Veterans must have medical evidence that ties their condition to their military service. This is typically found in medical records for treatment, but independent medical opinions and nexus letters may assist, too.

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

A 100 percent permanent and total disability rating is the highest level that can be achieved, and it means that a veteran isn't able to pursue any kind of lucrative employment. If they have a rating this high could be eligible for additional monthly benefits called Aid and Attendance. This allows a disabled veteran or their surviving spouse to receive assistance in daily tasks like washing, dressing and eating, cleaning up and addressing the needs of nature. This includes organizing transportation as well as making home modifications to make the house easier to access.

Permanent disabilities that are total

For a lot of Veterans, a VA determination of disability is an essential lifeline. The additional income derived from a disability check is tax-free which makes it cost-effective and extremely useful. It may not cover your mortgage, but it can put food on the table and send your children to college. It can mean the difference between having a job and having a home and car.

Once a veteran's claim is accepted at the Regional Office level the veteran is sent a Rating Decision. The document lists their service-connected ailments and assigns a disability score to each. In some cases the condition itself is rated as 100 percent, while in other cases multiple conditions are grouped into what's known as a Total Disabled Independent Unemployment (TDIU) rating. TDIU means that the combined effects of all of your ailments hinder you from maintaining substantially gainful work, and is permanent designation.

You can request an upgrade to a permanent rating if you are a TDIU. In order to do this, you must submit an application for Special Monthly Compensation. This is a benefit that the VA offers to veterans who are permanently and totally disabled as a result of an injury or loss of organs or body components. This is a permanent distinction but the C&P examiner may reduce the score if they decide that your impairment has improved or may improve in the future.

Disabilities that are a result of Service

Many veterans suffer from conditions which have a significant impact on their ability to work and live an active lifestyle, such as chronic pain, mental health issues (like PTSD) and injuries. Disability compensation can help veterans deal with the financial effects of these conditions which can be serious and last for a long time.

The VA uses an assessment system that determines the severity of disability and benefits. The ratings vary from 0% to percent with higher percentages suggesting greater levels of disability. The criteria for determining this rating is based on a variety of factors, including the impact the illness or vimeo injury can have on the veteran's daily activities as well as lifestyle.

westmont veterans disability attorney may be able to demonstrate an unambiguous connection between their service and their condition in some instances. For example, a traumatic brain injury or paralysis might be considered to be a direct connection to service when there is evidence of the injury or illness occurring during military service. Certain conditions, like tinnitus, depression, or anxiety disorders, could be considered secondary conditions and not directly connected to military service.

To claim benefits, veterans must submit as as much medical evidence and other documentation as is possible. This can include private documents of medical treatment as well as treatment received during service. A County Veterans Service Office, or Veterans Service Representative, can help speed up the claim process. It is vital to report dates of treatment as accurately as you can and submit the requested information as swiftly as you can to the VA.

PTSD

If you've experienced a traumatic event, it can leave lasting effects on your body and mind. This could include nightmares and flashbacks, difficulty concentrating at work or school or at work, feelings of fear and anxiety, and a loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy. It can also cause anxiety or depression and may lead to abuse substances.

There are effective treatments for PTSD. They can help you get your life back on track and reduce the symptoms. They typically involve psychological treatment such as counseling or talk therapy but medicines can also be used.

Research on PTSD has proven that the condition isn't solely caused by trauma. It is also caused by changes in the way that your brain functions. It can also be exacerbated by environmental and personal factors such as living in war zones or having an underlying mental illness.

Mental health issues, such as PTSD, are considered "high-value" claims by the VA because they are more difficult to disprove by medical evidence than other ailments such as neurological, skin, auditory or musculoskeletal problems. Moreover, veterans who have debilitating mental health conditions are much more likely be granted a disability rating that is 30% or greater than those suffering from other conditions.