How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation

You could be qualified for compensation if are a veteran and have suffered a disability due to an illness or injury that was sustained while serving in the military. The process isn't easy.

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

Service-Connected Disabilities

The most common service-related disabilities are those that were acquired or worsened by military service. These include physical health conditions like chronic knee injuries and Lou Gehrig's Disease, as well as mental health issues such as PTSD. Also, it includes recurring disorders like chronic skin disorders, which require frequent visits to the VA for special ointments and appliances. Veterans of this type are usually eligible for compensation and services. This includes no-cost medical care, prescription medication and other benefits.

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

The VA utilizes a rating schedule which is based on Congressional law to determine which conditions are entitled to compensation and in what percentage. In general, the higher the rating for disability and the higher the disability ratings, the greater benefits are offered.

The highest rating that can be achieved is 100% permanent and complete disabilities. This means that the veteran is unable to seek any kind of a lucrative employment. People with a rating this high can be eligible for monthly benefits that are called Aid and Attendance. This allows disabled veterans or their spouse of surviving receive assistance with daily living chores like dressing, bathing and cleaning, eating, and addressing the needs of nature. This includes arranging transportation and making changes to the home to make the home more accessible.

Disabilities that are permanent and total

A VA determination of disability can be a lifeline to many Veterans. The extra income earned from an SSD check is tax free which makes it cost-effective and extremely useful. It may not cover your mortgage, but you can afford food on the table and send your children to college. It can be the difference between having a home and a car.

After a claim from a veteran has been accepted at the Regional Office level and they receive an Assessment Decision. The decision lists their conditions that are connected to service and assigns a disability score to each. In some cases one condition is rated as 100%, while in others multiple conditions, the two are combined to create what's known as a Total Disabled Independent Unemployment (TDIU) rating. TDIU is a permanent term which means that the combined effect of your ailments prevent you from being able to hold an employment that is substantial and lucrative.

If you have an TDIU rating You can request it be upgraded to a permanent and complete rating by filing a claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). The VA provides this benefit to veterans who have been completely and permanently disabled as a result of an accident, loss of organs or body parts, or an amalgamation of both. This is an indefinite distinction. However the C&P Examiner may reduce the rating if your condition gets worse or increase.

Disabilities related to Service

Many veterans disability lawsuits disability law firms, library.Pilxt.com, suffer from conditions that have a major impact on their ability to work or lead an active life, including chronic mental health issues, pain (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 uses a rating system to determine disability severity and benefit amounts. The ratings vary from 0% and 100% and higher percentages indicating higher levels of disability. This rating is based on a variety of factors, including the impact the injury or illness has on the veteran's daily activities and life.

Veterans might be able to show an immediate service connection to their disability in some cases. If evidence is available that the injury or illness was a result of military service then a head injury that has been traumatic or paralysis might be considered a direct service connection. Certain conditions, like tinnitus, depression, or anxiety disorders, could be considered secondary conditions, and not directly related to the military service of a veteran.

To be eligible for benefits, veterans need to submit as much medical and other evidence as is feasible. This could include medical records from private sources and service treatment records. A County Veterans Service Office, or Veterans Service Representative, can assist in speeding the claim process. It is vital to make your dates of treatment as accurately as you can, and then send the requested information as fast as possible to the VA.

PTSD

If you've been through a traumatizing event, it can leave lasting effects on your mind and body. This could include flashbacks and nightmares, difficulty concentrating at school or at work fears and horror and a lack of interest in the things you used to love. It can also lead to depression or anxiety and can cause substance abuse, particularly in teens 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 decrease the symptoms. They typically involve psychological treatment such as talking therapy or counseling but medication can also be utilized.

Research on PTSD has revealed that the condition is not solely caused by trauma, but changes in the way your brain works. It can also be aggravated by environmental and personal factors such as living in conflict zones or having an underlying mental illness.

Mental health problems, like PTSD are deemed "high-value" claims by the VA because they are more difficult to prove by medical evidence than other ailments like skin, neurological and musculoskeletal, or auditory. In addition, veterans with disabilities in their mental health are much more likely to be awarded a disability rating that is 30% or greater than those suffering from other conditions.