5 Killer Quora Answers On Veterans Disability Legal
How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation
If you're a vet suffering from an injury or illness that was caused by military service, then you could qualify for veterans disability compensation. But the process can be complex.
It is best to submit all of your documents promptly. VA requires time to review them and give a rating to your condition.
Service-Connected Disabilities
Service-related disabilities are those that were incurred or worsened during military service. They include physical health issues like chronic knee injuries and Lou Gehrig's Disease, and mental health problems such as PTSD. It also includes recurrent disorders, such as chronic skin conditions that require frequent visits to the VA for special ointments and appliances. Veterans of this type are usually eligible for compensation and services. This includes free health care, prescription medications and other benefits.
To prove that they have a connection to their service Veterans must have medical evidence linking their condition to their military service. This is typically based on service treatment records. However independent medical opinions as well as a an nexus statement can also help.
The VA uses a rating schedule that is based upon Congressional law, to determine which conditions are entitled to benefits and at what percentage. In general the higher the disability ratings is the better the benefits offered.
The highest possible rating is 100% permanent and complete disabilities. This means that the veteran is unable to pursue any kind of gainful work. If they have a rating this high can be eligible for additional monthly benefits known as Aid and Attendance. This lets a veteran with disabilities or their survivor spouse to receive assistance in everyday activities like washing, dressing, eating, and cleaning up and attending to nature's needs. This includes arranging for transportation and making modifications to the home to make the home more accessible.
Permanent disabilities and total
For many Veterans who are disabled, a VA determination of disability is an important lifeline. The extra income earned from an income from a disability check is tax-free and therefore very affordable and extremely beneficial. It may not cover your mortgage, but it can put food on the dinner table and send your children to college. It can even make the difference between being poor and having a roof over your head and a car in the garage.
After a veteran's claim has been approved at the Regional Office level, they are mailed an official Rating Decision. It lists their service-related conditions and assigns a disability rating to each. In some cases a single condition is rated as 100%, while in others multiple conditions are grouped into what's called a Total Disabled Independent Unemployment (TDIU) rating. TDIU is a permanent designation which means that the combined effect of your medical conditions prevent you from being able to maintain significant gainful employment.
You can request an upgrade to a permanent total rating if you are a TDIU. To request this, you must file a claim for Special Monthly Compensation. The VA offers this benefit to veterans disability law firms who are permanently and totally disabled due to an injury, loss of organs or body parts or the combination of both. This is an unavoidable distinction. However, the C&P Examiner could reduce your rating if your impairments get worse or increase.
Service-Related Disabilities
Many veterans suffer from conditions which have a profound impact on their ability to lead an active and productive life. This includes chronic pain, mental illness (like PTSD), and injuries. Disability compensation can help veterans to offset the financial impact of these ailments. These ailments can be very severe and last for a long period of time.
The VA utilizes a system for assessing disabilities to determine their extent of the disability and calculate benefit amounts. The ratings vary between 0% and 100% with higher percentages indicating higher levels of disability. This rating is based upon many factors, including the impact that the injury or illness had on the veteran's lifestyle and daily activities.
Veterans may be able to prove an immediate service connection to their disability in some cases. If evidence is available that the injury or illness occurred during military service, then a traumatic head injury or paralysis may be considered an immediate service connection. However, some conditions such as tinnitus, anxiety disorders or depression could be considered to be secondary conditions that aren't directly connected to the veteran's military service.
To claim benefits, veterans must submit as many medical and other proof as is feasible. This can include medical records from private sources and service treatment records. With the help of a County Veterans Service Office or Veterans Service Representative can also speed up the claims process. It is essential to be as exact as you can when reporting dates of treatment and to submit requested information to the VA as soon as you can.
PTSD
It is possible to have lasting effects on your body and mind after trauma. It can cause flashbacks and nightmares, trouble concentrating at school or work as well as feelings of fear and terror, and a lack of interest in things that you used to love. It can also lead to anxiety or depression, and may lead to abuse substances.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for PTSD. They can help you get your life back on track and decrease your symptoms. The majority of the time they are based on psychological treatments like counseling or talk therapy. However, Veterans Disability medication are also available.
Research on PTSD has proven that the condition is not only caused by trauma but changes in the way that your brain works. It could also be caused by certain personal and environmental factors, such as living in an area of war or having an ancestral history of mental illness.
Mental health issues such as PTSD are deemed "high value" claims by VA because they are more difficult to disprove by medical evidence than conditions like neurological, skin or auditory problems. Veterans with mental health issues that are disabling are more likely to receive a disability rating of 30 percent than those who do not.