How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation

If you're a former soldier suffering from an illness or injury caused by military service, then you could qualify for veterans disability compensation. But the process could be difficult.

It is recommended that you submit all your documents promptly. VA needs time to evaluate them and assign a rating to your condition.

Disabilities Linked to Service

Service-related disabilities are those that are incurred or worsened in military service. Physical health conditions like Lou Gehrig's Disease and chronic knee injuries, as well as mental health issues such as PTSD are included. It also includes recurrent illnesses like chronic skin conditions, which require frequent visits to the VA for special ointments, appliances and other products. These veterans typically get compensation and other services that include no-cost healthcare as well as prescription drugs.

To prove connection to service an individual veteran must provide proof of medically proven connection linking their medical condition to their time in the military. This is usually dependent on the records of treatment for service. However, independent medical opinions and an nexus document can also help.

The VA uses a rating scale, based on Congressional law to determine which conditions are entitled to compensation and at what percentage. In general the higher the rating for Veterans Disability Compensation disability the greater the benefits that are available.

The highest possible rating is 100% permanent and total disabilities. This means that the person who is disabled cannot pursue any kind of lucrative work. People who score this high may be eligible to receive additional monthly benefits, known as Aid and Attendance. This is a way for veterans with disabilities or their surviving spouse to receive assistance for daily chores like dressing, bathing, eating, and cleaning up and attending to nature's needs. This can include arranging transportation and making changes to the home to make the surroundings more accessible.

Disabilities that last a lifetime and are total

A VA determination of disability can be lifesaving for many veterans disability claim. The extra income from an SSD check is tax-free making it extremely affordable and very beneficial. It may not cover your mortgage, but you can afford 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.

After a veteran's claim has been approved at the Regional Office level after which they are sent an official Rating Decision. It lists their service-related conditions and assigns a disability rating to each. In some cases conditions, a condition is graded 100%, and multiple conditions may be combined to create a rating referred to as Total Disabled Unemployment (TDIU). TDIU is a permanent term that means the cumulative effect of your ailments prevent you from maintaining an employment that is substantial and lucrative.

You can apply for an upgrade to a permanent rating if you have a TDIU. In order to do this, you need to 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 as a result of an loss of function or amputation of body organs or body parts. This is an ongoing distinction. However the C&P Examiner can reduce the rating in the event that your impairments improve or could improve.

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 physical pain, mental health issues (like PTSD) and injuries. Disability compensation may help veterans deal with the financial consequences of these ailments, which can be severe and lasting.

The VA utilizes a rating system to determine the severity of disability as well as the amount of benefits. The ratings range between 0% and 100% with higher percentages representing higher levels of disability. This rating is based on a number of factors, such as the impact that the injury or illness had on the veteran's life and daily activities.

In some cases it is possible for veterans disability compensation to demonstrate direct service connection to their condition. If there is evidence that the illness or injury was a result of military service the head injury that is traumatic or paralysis may be considered an immediate service connection. Certain conditions, such as depression, tinnitus and anxiety disorders may be considered to be secondary conditions that are not directly connected to the service of a veteran.

To claim benefits, veterans need to submit as many medical and other proof as they can. This can include private medical records and service treatment records. Having the support of a County Veterans Service Office or Veterans Service Representative can also help speed up the process of filing claims. It is important to be as exact as you can when reporting dates of treatment and to provide requested information to the VA as soon as you can.

PTSD

It is possible to have lasting effects on your body and mind following an event that is traumatic. This can result in flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty concentrating at school or at work or at school, feelings of anxiety and terror, and a lack of interest in the things you used to enjoy. It could also lead to depression or anxiety, and could lead to use drugs.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for PTSD. They can assist you in getting your life back on track and lessen your symptoms. Most times they involve psychological treatments like counseling or talk therapy. However, medication are also available.

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

Mental health issues like PTSD are regarded as "high value" claims by VA because they are more difficult to disprove with medical evidence than other conditions like neurological, skin or auditory problems. veterans disability litigation with mental health issues that are disabling are more likely to receive an impairment rating of more than 30 percent than those without.