How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation
If you’re a veteran suffering from an injury or illness that was caused by military service, you might be eligible for compensation for veterans’ disability. But the process is complex.
It’s best to send your claims documentation as quickly as possible. VA requires time to review them and assign a rating to your claim.
Service-Connected Disabilities
Service-related disabilities are those that resulted from or worsened during military service. Physical health conditions like Lou Gehrig’s disease and chronic knee injuries, as well mental health issues such as PTSD are all included. It also includes recurrent illnesses like chronic skin conditions, which require frequent visits to the VA for special ointments or appliances. These veterans typically are eligible for compensation and benefits that include no-cost healthcare as well as prescription drugs.
To prove that a connection to service exists an individual veteran must provide proof of medically proven connection linking their condition to their service in the military. This is usually found in documents related to treatment, however independent medical opinions and nexus documents can assist, too.
The VA uses a schedule of ratings that are based on Congressional laws to determine which conditions are eligible for compensation and at what percentage. In general the higher the rating for disability the greater the benefits that are available.
The highest rating possible is 100% permanent and complete disabilities. This means that the veteran cannot pursue any kind of lucrative employment. With a rating this high are eligible for additional monthly benefits, known as Aid and Attendance. This allows a disabled veteran or their spouse with a survivor to receive help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing and cleaning, eating, and attending to the wants of nature. This includes organizing transportation and making home adaptations to make the house easier to access.
Permanent disabilities that are total
For many Veterans the VA determination of disability is an essential lifeline. The extra money earned from an SSD check is tax-free making it extremely cost-effective and extremely useful. It might not be enough to pay for the mortgage, but it will provide food on the table and help students through college. It can be the difference between poverty and having a home and a car.
Once a veteran’s claim is approved at the Regional Office level and they receive the Rating Decision. It lists their service-related conditions and assigns a disability score to each. In some cases, a single condition is rated at 100%, while in others multiple conditions are combined into what’s known as a Total Disabled Independent Unemployment (TDIU) rating. TDIU is a term that can be used for a long time that means the combined effects of your conditions prevents you from maintaining significant gainful employment.
You can request an upgrade to a permanent rating if you are a TDIU. To apply for this, you must file an application for Special Monthly Compensation. This is an additional benefit that the VA will pay to veterans who are permanently and totally disabled because of an injury or loss of organs or body parts. This is an indefinite distinction. However the C&P Examiner can reduce the rating in the event that your impairments improve or could increase.
Disabilities that are a result of Service
Many veterans are suffering from conditions that have a significant impact on their ability to live an active and productive life. This includes chronic pain, mental issues (like PTSD), and injuries. Disability compensation can help Chillicothe Veterans Disability Law Firm with the financial effects of these conditions that can be severe and last for a long time.
The VA uses a system for assessing disabilities to determine the severity and determine benefit amounts. The ratings vary from 0% to percent with higher percentages suggesting higher levels of disability. This rating is based on a number of aspects, including the impact the injury or illness affected the veteran’s lifestyle and daily activities.
Veterans may be able to demonstrate an unambiguous connection between their service and their impairment in certain cases. For instance, a traumatic brain injury or paralysis may be considered a direct service connection if there is evidence that shows the illness or injury occurring during military service. Certain conditions, such as tinnitus, depression, or anxiety disorders, could be considered secondary and not directly related to a veteran’s military service.
Veterans should submit as many medical records as well as other proof as possible to claim benefits. This can include private documents of medical treatment as well as service treatment. A County niceville veterans disability lawsuit Service Office, or Veterans Service Representative, can assist in speeding up the process of claiming. It is vital to report dates of treatment as precisely as you can and provide 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 can include nightmares and flashbacks, problems concentrating at work or school, feelings of terror and anxiety, as well as a decrease in interest in the activities you used to enjoy. It can also cause anxiety or depression and could lead to substance abuse, particularly in teens and young adults.
There are effective treatments available for PTSD. They can aid you in getting back in the right direction and help reduce the symptoms. The majority of the time they involve psychological treatments like counseling or therapy. However, medication are also used.
Research on PTSD has revealed that the condition isn’t solely caused by trauma, but changes in the way your brain works. It could also be caused by certain environmental and personal circumstances, such as living in a war zone or having a family history of mental illness.
Mental health issues, such as PTSD are deemed “high-value” claims by the VA because they are more difficult to prove by medical evidence than other ailments like neurological, skin and musculoskeletal, or auditory. Veterans with mental health issues that are disabling are more likely to receive a disability rating above 30% than those with no.