How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation

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

It is best to submit your claims in the shortest time possible. VA needs time for them to be reviewed and assign an rating.

Service-Connected Disabilities

Service-related disabilities are those that have been incurred or aggravated by military service. Physical health conditions like Lou Gehrig’s Disease, chronic knee injuries, along with mental health issues such as PTSD are also included. This includes chronic skin conditions that require frequent VA visits to get special applications or ointments. These types of takoma park veterans disability lawsuit often are eligible for compensation and benefits, including no-cost healthcare and prescription drugs.

To prove that they have a connection to their service Veterans must have medical evidence that ties their condition to their military service. This usually comes from the records of treatment for service, however independent medical opinions and nexus documents can help, too.

The VA uses a schedule of ratings which is based on Congressional laws to determine what conditions are eligible for compensation and Vimeo in what proportion. In general, the higher the disability ratings is the better the benefits available.

The highest rating possible is 100% permanent and total disabilities. This means that the veteran will not be able to seek any kind of a lucrative job. Those with a rating of this high are eligible for additional monthly benefits, known as Aid and Attendance. This is a way for veterans with disabilities or their survivor spouse to receive assistance with daily living tasks such as dressing, bathing and eating, and cleaning up and attending to nature’s needs. This includes arranging transportation as well as making home modifications to make the home more accessible.

Permanent disabilities that are total

A VA determination of disability could be lifesaving for many Veterans. The extra income from a disability check is tax free which makes it cost-effective and extremely useful. It might not cover the mortgage, but it could help put food on the table and help children through college. It can make the difference between being poor and having a roof over your head and having a car parked in the garage.

After a veteran’s claim has been approved at the Regional Office level, they are mailed the Rating Decision. It lists their service-related conditions and assigns a disability score to each. In some cases the condition itself is rated 100 percent, while in other instances, multiple conditions, they are combined into what’s known as a Total Disabled Individual Unemployability (TDIU) rating. TDIU means that the cumulative effects of all your ailments prevent you from retaining substantial gainful work, and is an ongoing designation.

You can apply for an upgrade to a permanent total rating if you have a TDIU. To do this, you must file an application for Special Monthly Compensation. This is an additional benefit that the VA offers to veterans who are permanently and totally disabled because of an amputation or loss of use of body organs or body parts. This is an indefinite distinction. However, the C&P Examiner is able to reduce the rating if your condition gets worse or improve.

Service-Related Disabilities

Many veterans suffer from illnesses which have a profound impact on their ability to lead an active and productive life. These include chronic pain, mental disorders (like PTSD), and injuries. Disability compensation can help veterans to offset the financial impact of these conditions. These conditions can be severe and can last for a long time.

The VA uses an assessment system for disabilities to determine their severity and determine benefit amounts. The ratings range between 0% and 100 percent, with higher percentages indicating greater levels of disability. The criteria for determining this rating is based on many factors, including the impact the illness or injury has on the veteran’s daily routine and lifestyle.

Veterans might be able to show the direct connection between their service and their disability in certain instances. For instance, a traumatizing brain injury or paralysis might be considered to be a direct service connection when there is evidence of the injury or illness that occurred during military service. However, some conditions like tinnitus and depression or anxiety disorders are considered to be secondary conditions that are not directly related to the veteran’s service in the military.

Veterans must submit as many medical records and other evidence as possible to claim benefits. This could include private medical records and service treatment records. A County Veterans Service Office, or Veterans Service Representative, can aid in the speeding up of the process of claiming. It is essential to be as accurate as you can when reporting dates of treatment, and to provide requested information to the VA promptly.

PTSD

It is possible to experience long-lasting effects on both your body and mind following an experience that was traumatic. This can include flashbacks and nightmares, trouble concentrating at school or at work fears and horror, and a loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy. It can also trigger anxiety or depression and may lead to substance abuse, particularly among teenagers and young adults.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for PTSD. They can assist you in getting back to normal and help reduce the symptoms. Most of the time they are based on psychological treatments such as counseling or talking therapy. However, medication can be used.

Research on PTSD suggests that it’s not only caused by trauma, but also caused by changes in brain functioning. It can also be exacerbated by personal and environmental factors like living in war zones or having an illness history.

Mental health issues like PTSD are considered “high value” claims by VA because they are more difficult to disprove using medical evidence than conditions such as skin, neurological or auditory issues. Veterans with disabling mental conditions are more likely to receive an impairment rating of more than 30% than those who do not.