Are You Getting The Most From Your Veterans Disability Legal
How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation
You could be eligible for compensation if you are a veteran who suffered a disability due to illness or injury sustained during military service. The process can be a bit complicated.
It is best to file your claims in the shortest time possible. VA needs time for them to be assessed and to assign an assessment.
Disabilities that are related to service
Disabilities that are a result of service are those that were suffered or worsened through military service. Physical health conditions, such as Lou Gehrig's disease and chronic knee injuries, as also mental health issues like PTSD are also included. Additionally, there are recurring illnesses like chronic skin conditions, which require frequent visits to the VA for special ointments or appliances. These types of veterans often are eligible for compensation and benefits, including no-cost healthcare and prescription drugs.
To prove that a connection to service exists veterans must have proof of medically proven connection linking their medical condition to their time in the military. This is typically from service treatment records. However, independent medical opinions and the nexus letter may also be helpful.
The VA uses a set of ratings that are based on Congressional laws to determine what conditions are eligible for compensation and in what percentage. Generally, the higher the disability rating then the more benefits are available.
A 100% permanent and veterans disability law firms total disability rating is the most prestigious rating, which means that a veteran can't follow any kind of gainful employment. People who score this high may be eligible for additional monthly benefits, known as Aid and Attendance. This allows a veteran with disabilities or their survivor spouse to receive assistance in everyday life tasks like dressing, bathing and cleaning, feeding and attending to the needs of nature. This includes arranging transportation and home modifications to make the house more accessible.
Disabilities that last a lifetime and are total
For many Veterans who are disabled, a VA determination of disability is an essential lifeline. The additional income derived from an SSD check is tax free making it extremely affordable and extremely helpful. It may not cover the mortgage, but it could provide food on the table and help children through college. It can make the difference between being poor and having a home and car.
After a claim from a veteran has been approved at the Regional Office level, they are mailed the 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 can be grouped to create a rating called Total Disabled Unemployment (TDIU). TDIU means that the cumulative effects of all of your ailments prevent you from retaining substantial gainful employment, and this is an indefinite designation.
You can apply for an upgrade to a permanent rating if you have a TDIU. To apply for this, you have to file a claim for Special Monthly Compensation. The VA provides this benefit to veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to an accident, loss of organs or body parts, or a combination of both. This is an ongoing distinction. However the C&P Examiner may reduce the rating in the event that your impairments get worse or increase.
Disabilities that are a result of Service
Many veterans suffer from conditions which have a significant effect on their ability to lead an active or productive existence. These include chronic pain, mental issues (like PTSD), and injuries. Disability compensation can help veterans to offset the financial impact of these ailments. These conditions can be severe and last for a long time.
The VA utilizes an assessment system that determines the severity of disability and benefits. The ratings vary from zero and 100 percent with higher percentages representing higher levels of disability. The rating is based on several factors, including the effect the illness or injury impacts the veteran's daily activities and life.
Veterans may be able to demonstrate an immediate service connection to their disability in some cases. If evidence is available that the illness or injury was caused by military service, the head injury that is traumatic or paralysis could be deemed a direct service connection. However, certain ailments like tinnitus and anxiety disorders or depression, might be considered secondary conditions that aren't directly connected to the service of a veteran.
Veterans must submit as many medical records and other documents as is possible to claim benefits. This can include private medical records as well as service treatment records. Being able to count on the support of a County veterans disability attorneys Service Office or Veterans Service Representative can also expedite the claim process. It is important that you make your dates of treatment as precisely as you can and provide the requested information as swiftly as possible to the VA.
PTSD
It is possible to experience lasting effects on your body and mind after an event that is traumatic. It can result in nightmares and flashbacks, difficulty concentrating at work or school or at work, feelings of fear and fear, and a loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy. It can also cause 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 aid you in getting back on track with your life and lessen the symptoms. The majority times, they involve psychological treatments such as counseling or talking therapy. However, medication can also be utilized.
Research on PTSD has shown that the condition isn't solely caused by trauma. It is also caused by changes in the way that your brain works. It may also be aggravated by certain environmental and personal factors, such as living in a war zone or having an ancestral history of mental illness.
Mental health issues like PTSD are regarded as "high value" claims by VA because they are more difficult to disprove using medical evidence than ailments such as skin, neurological or auditory issues. Furthermore, Veterans Disability Law Firms who suffer from disabling mental health conditions are much more likely be awarded a disability rating of 30% or higher than those suffering from other conditions.