Nine Things That Your Parent Teach You About Veterans Disability Lawyer
How to File a veterans Disability (mariskamast.net) Claim
The claim of a veteran for disability is a crucial part of submitting an application for benefits. Many veterans get tax-free income when their claims are approved.
It's no secret that the VA is way behind in the process of processing disability claims from veterans. It can take months, even years, for a final decision to be made.
Aggravation
Veterans may be qualified for disability compensation if their condition was caused by their military service. This type of claim is called an aggravated disability. It could be either mental or physical. A licensed VA lawyer can help the former service member submit an aggravated claim. A claimant needs to prove via medical evidence or independent opinions that their condition prior to service was made worse by active duty.
A doctor who is an expert on the disability of the veteran can offer an independent medical opinion proving the severity of the condition prior to service. In addition to the doctor's opinion, the veteran must also submit medical records and lay statements from family or friends who can attest to their pre-service condition.
In a veterans disability claim it is crucial to keep in mind that the condition that is aggravated must be distinct from the original disability rating. An attorney who is a disability attorney can help an ex-servicemember on how to provide sufficient medical evidence and testimony to establish that their health condition was not merely aggravated through military service, but was worse than it would have been without the aggravating factor.
In addressing this issue VA is proposing to align the two "aggravation" standards within its regulations 38 CFR 3.306 and 3.310. The different language of these provisions has led to confusion and disagreement in the process of claiming. Particularly, the inconsistent use of terms like "increase in disability" and "any increase in severity" has been the source of disputes and uncertainty.
Service-Connected Terms
In order for a veteran to be eligible for benefits, they must prove that their illness or disability is connected to service. This is referred to as "service connection." Service connection is granted automatically in certain circumstances, including Ischemic heart disease or another cardiovascular conditions that develop due to specific amputations linked to service. veterans disability law firm suffering from other ailments, like PTSD and PTSD, are required to provide witness testimony or lay evidence from those who were their friends during their service to link their condition to an specific incident that occurred during their time in the military.
A pre-existing medical condition could be service-related in the event that it was aggravated by active duty and not just the natural progression of the disease. It is best to provide an official report from a doctor that explains that the deterioration of the condition was caused by service, and not the natural progression of the disease.
Certain illnesses and injuries may be attributed to or aggravated by treatment. These are referred to as "presumptive diseases." These include exposure to Agent Orange for Vietnam and Korean veterans as well as exposure to radiation for prisoner of war, and numerous Gulf War conditions. Some chronic illnesses and tropical diseases are suspected to have been caused or aggravated from service. This includes AL amyloidosis and other acne-related illnesses, such as Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, Multiple Sclerosis Tuberculosis and diabetes Mellitus Type 2. Click here for more details about these probable diseases.
Appeal
The VA has a procedure to appeal their decision to award or deny benefits. The first step is to submit a Notice of Disagreement. Your VA-accredited attorney may file this on your behalf but if not, Veterans disability you can file it yourself. This form is used to inform the VA you disagree with their decision and you would like a more thorough review of your case.
There are two options for higher-level review. Both should be considered carefully. You can request a private meeting with a Decision Review Officer at your local office. The DRO will perform a de novo (no consideration is given to the previous decisions) review and either overturn the earlier decision or maintain it. You could or might not be able to present new evidence. You can also request an appointment with a Veterans Law judge at the Board of Veterans' Appeals, Washington D.C.
It is essential to discuss all of these issues with your VA-accredited lawyer. They'll have experience and will know the best route for your case. They also know the challenges that disabled veterans face and their families, which makes them an effective advocate for you.
Time Limits
You can seek compensation if you suffer from a disability that you acquired or worsened in the course of serving in the military. You'll have to be patient as the VA evaluates and makes a decision on your application. You could have to wait up to 180 calendar days after submitting your claim before you receive a decision.
Many factors can influence the time it takes for VA to make a decision on your claim. The amount of evidence submitted will play a major role in the speed at which your application is evaluated. The location of the VA field office who will review your claim could also impact how long it takes.
Another factor that can impact the length of time it takes your claim to be processed is the frequency at which you contact the VA to check the progress of your claim. You can help accelerate the process by submitting your evidence whenever you can and being specific in your address information for the medical care facilities that you use, and sending any requested information immediately when it becomes available.
You can request a higher level review if it is your opinion that the decision you were given regarding your disability was incorrect. This requires you to submit all facts that exist in your case to a senior reviewer who can determine if there was an error in the initial decision. This review doesn't contain any new evidence.