How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation

If you're a veteran suffering from an illness or injury caused by military service, then you could be eligible for veterans disability compensation. The process can be a bit complicated.

It is recommended that you send your claims documentation as soon as you are able to. VA requires time to be evaluated and to assign the rating.

Service-Connected Disabilities

Service-connected disabilities are those that were incurred or worsened during military service. Physical health conditions such as Lou Gehrig's disease and chronic knee injuries, as well mental health issues like PTSD are also included. This includes skin conditions that require frequent VA visits for specialized devices or ointments. These kinds of veterans usually are eligible for compensation and benefits that include no-cost healthcare as well as prescription medications.

To prove connection to service an individual veteran must provide clear medical evidence that links their condition to their service in the military. This is usually based on service treatment records. However independent medical opinion and an nexus statement can also help.

The VA utilizes a rating schedule that is based upon Congressional law to determine which ailments are qualified for compensation and in what percentage. The higher the disability rating is, the more benefits are available.

A 100 percent permanent and total disability rating is the highest one can get, and it means that a veteran isn't able to pursue any type of job that is lucrative. If they have a rating this high can be eligible for additional monthly benefits, known as Aid and Attendance. This allows a veteran with a disability or their surviving spouse to receive assistance in everyday living tasks such as dressing, bathing, and cleaning, feeding and attending to nature's needs. This can include arranging transportation and making modifications to the home to make the house more accessible.

Permanent and Total Disabilities Permanent and Total

For many Veterans, a VA determination of disability is an important lifeline. The extra income from the disability check is tax-free and therefore very cost-effective and extremely useful. It may not cover the mortgage, Veterans Disability Compensation but it can aid in putting food on the table and get children get through college. It could even be the difference between living in poverty and having a roof over your head and an automobile in the garage.

Once a veteran's claim is approved at the Regional Office level and they receive an official Rating Decision. The Rating Decision outlines the veteran's conditions related to service and assigns a score to each. In some cases it is possible to rate a condition 100%, while multiple conditions could be combined to give a rating of Total Disabled Unemployment (TDIU). TDIU signifies that the combined effects of all your ailments hinder you from holding a job that is essentially lucrative employment, which is an ongoing designation.

You can request an upgrade to a permanent total rating if you have a TDIU. To do this, you must submit an application for Special Monthly Compensation. This is an additional benefit that the VA offers to veterans disability attorney who are permanently completely disabled due to injury or loss of organs or body components. This is a permanent distinction, Veterans Disability Compensation but the C&P examiner can reduce the rating if they determine your impairment has improved or may improve in the near future.

Disabilities Associated with Service

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

The VA utilizes an assessment system that determines the severity of disability and benefits. The ratings vary from 0% to 100% with higher percentages suggesting greater levels of disability. The rating is based on various factors, including the impact that the injury or illness had on the veteran's life and daily activities.

In certain instances it is possible for veterans disability law to demonstrate direct service connection to their condition. If there is proof that the injury or illness was caused by military service, for example, a head injury resulting in trauma or paralysis could be considered an immediate service connection. Some conditions, such as tinnitus, depression, or anxiety disorders can be considered secondary conditions, and not directly related to the service of a veteran.

To be eligible for benefits, veterans disability attorneys should provide as much medical and other evidence as is possible. This can include medical records from private sources and service treatment records. A County Veterans Service Office, or Veterans Service Representative, can assist in speeding the process of filing claims. It is crucial to submit dates of treatment as precisely as you can and provide the requested information as swiftly as possible to the VA.

PTSD

It is possible to have lasting effects on your body and mind after an event that is traumatic. This can include flashbacks and 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 cause anxiety or depression, and could lead to use drugs.

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. Most involve psychological treatment such as counseling or talk therapy but medicines can also be used.

Research on PTSD suggests that it's not only caused by trauma, but also due to changes in brain function. It can also be aggravated by personal and environmental triggers such as living in war zones or having a history of mental illness.

Mental health issues like PTSD are considered "high value" claims by VA because they are more difficult to disprove by medical evidence than conditions like skin, neurological, or auditory issues. In addition, veterans with chronic mental health issues are more likely to be granted a disability rating of 30% or more over those with other ailments.