How to Qualify For
Veterans Disability Compensation
You could be qualified for compensation if are a veteran who been afflicted with a disability because of illness or injury sustained during military service. But the process could be complicated.
It is recommended that you complete all your paperwork as soon as possible. VA requires time to review them and give a rating to your condition.
Disabilities caused by service
Disabilities that are related to service are those that were incurred or worsened during military service. They include physical health issues such as chronic knee injuries and Lou Gehrig's Disease, and mental health issues such as PTSD. This includes chronic skin issues that require frequent VA visits for special ointments or appliances. These types of veterans often are eligible for compensation and benefits which include free healthcare and prescription drugs.
To prove that they have a connection to their service veterans must provide medical evidence that ties their condition to their military service. This is typically found in documents related to treatment, however independent medical opinions and nexus documents can aid, too.
The VA uses a rating schedule that is based upon Congressional law to determine which ailments are entitled to compensation and in what percentage. In general, the higher the disability ratings the greater the benefits that are offered.
A 100 percent permanent and total disability rating is the highest possible rating, meaning that a veteran cannot pursue any kind of lucrative employment. The people who are rated as high are likely to be eligible for additional monthly benefits known as Aid and Attendance. This allows disabled veterans or their spouse with a survivor to receive assistance with daily living chores like dressing, bathing, cleaning, feeding, and addressing the needs of nature. This includes organizing transportation and making home adaptations to make the environment more accessible.
Permanent disabilities and total
A VA determination of disability could be lifesaving for many Veterans. The additional income from a disability grant is extremely beneficial and affordable, as it is tax-free. It might not cover the mortgage, but it could help to put food on the table, and also help children through college. It could even be the difference between being poor and having a roof over your head and a car in the garage.
Once a veteran's claim is approved at the Regional Office level, they are mailed the Rating Decision. The Rating Decision outlines the veteran's medical conditions that are related to his service and assigns a score to each. In some instances the condition itself is rated 100%, while in others multiple conditions, the two are combined to create what's called a Total Disabled Independent Unemployment (TDIU) rating. TDIU is the term used to describe the effects of all of your conditions prevent you from holding a job that is essentially lucrative employment, which is an ongoing designation.
You can request an upgrade to a permanent rating if you have a TDIU. To apply for this, you must file an application for Special Monthly Compensation. This is an additional benefit that the VA provides to veterans who are permanently and totally disabled as a result of an injury or loss of organs, body parts or other organs. This is an ongoing distinction. However the C&P Examiner is able to reduce the rating if your impairments get worse or increase.
Disabilities related to Service
Many veterans suffer from illnesses that have a major impact on their ability to work and live an active lifestyle, including chronic mental health issues, pain (like PTSD) and injuries. Disability compensation may help veterans deal with the financial impacts of these ailments, which can be severe and last for a long time.
The VA utilizes an assessment system for disabilities to determine their severity and the amount of benefits. The ratings vary between zero and 100 percent, with higher percentages denoting higher levels of disability. This rating is based upon several factors, including the effect the illness or injury affects the veteran's daily activities as well as lifestyle.
Veterans may be able to prove a direct service connection with their condition in some instances. If there is evidence that the illness or injury was caused by military service, for example, a head injury resulting in trauma or paralysis may be considered an immediate service connection. However, some ailments like tinnitus and anxiety disorders or depression may be considered secondary conditions that are not directly connected to the veteran's service in the military.
To claim benefits, veterans should provide as much medical and other evidence as is possible. 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 accelerate the process of submitting claims. It is essential to submit dates of treatment as precisely as you can, and then send the requested information as quickly as you can to the VA.
PTSD
If you've been through a traumatizing event, it can leave lasting effects on your body and mind. This could include flashbacks and nightmares, trouble concentrating at school or at work, feelings of fear and terror, and a lack of interest in things that you used to enjoy. It could also lead to anxiety or depression and may lead to use drugs.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for PTSD. They can help you get your life back on track and decrease the symptoms. The majority of them involve psychological treatments such as counseling or talk therapy but medication can also be used.
Research on PTSD indicates that it is not only caused by trauma, but also caused by changes in the brain's functioning. It can also be aggravated by certain environmental and personal factors, like living in the midst of war or having a family history of mental illness.
Mental health issues like PTSD are deemed "high value" claims by VA because they are more difficult to disprove using medical evidence than conditions like skin, neurological or auditory problems. Furthermore,
Veterans Disability law Firms who suffer from disabilities in their mental health are more likely to be awarded a disability rating of 30% or more than those suffering from other conditions.