14 Common Misconceptions About Veterans Disability Legal
How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation
You could be eligible for compensation if are a veteran who been afflicted with a disability because of ill health or an injury sustained during military service. But the process could be complex.
It's best to send your claims documentation in the shortest time possible. VA needs time to evaluate them and determine a rating for your situation.
Service-Connected Disabilities
Disabilities that are related to service are those that have been incurred or worsened during military service. Physical health conditions such as Lou Gehrig's Disease and Vimeo chronic knee injuries, as well as mental health issues such as PTSD are covered in. This includes chronic skin conditions that require frequent VA visits for vimeo special products or appliances. These types of veterans often get compensation and other services that include no-cost healthcare as well as prescription medications.
To prove service-connection veterans disability lawsuit must provide medical evidence that ties their medical condition to their military service. This is usually determined by the service treatment records. 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 in what percentage. In general the higher the rating for disability and the higher the disability ratings, the greater benefits are offered.
The highest rating that can be achieved is 100% permanent and total disabilities. This means that the veteran cannot pursue any kind of gainful employment. People with a rating this high are eligible for monthly benefits that are called Aid and Attendance. This allows a disabled veteran or their surviving spouse to receive assistance in daily tasks such as washing, dressing and vimeo eating, cleaning up and addressing the needs of nature. This includes arranging for transportation and making changes to the home to make the surroundings more accessible.
Permanent and Total Disabilities
A VA determination of disability could be lifesaving for many Veterans. The extra income from an income from a disability check is tax free and therefore very affordable and extremely beneficial. It might not be enough to pay for the mortgage, but it will help to put food on the table and help students through college. It can be the difference between poverty and having a home and car.
After a veteran's claim been approved by the Regional Office the veteran will receive an Rating Decision. The Rating Decision lists the veteran's service-related conditions and assigns a score to each. In some instances a single condition is rated 100%, while in others multiple conditions are grouped into what's called the Total Disabled Individual (TDIU) rating. TDIU signifies that the combined effects of all your ailments hinder you from holding a job that is essentially lucrative job, and it's an indefinite designation.
If you have an TDIU rating you may request it be upgraded to a permanent and complete rating by filing a claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). This is an additional benefit that the VA provides to veterans who are permanently totally disabled because of an loss of function or amputation of organs or body parts. This is an unavoidable distinction. However, the C&P Examiner is able to reduce the rating in the event that your impairments increase or improve.
Disabilities Associated with Service
Many veterans suffer from illnesses which have a profound impact on their ability to live an active and productive life. They are afflicted with chronic pain, mental illness (like PTSD), and injuries. Disability compensation may help veterans offset the financial impacts of these conditions that can be severe and lasting.
The VA utilizes an assessment system that determines disability severity and benefit amounts. The ratings vary from 0% and 100% with higher percentages representing higher levels of disability. This rating is based upon several aspects, including the impact that the injury or illness caused on the veteran's daily life and daily activities.
In some cases, veterans may be able to prove direct service connection to their impairment. For example, a traumatic brain injury or paralysis may be considered to be a direct connection to service if there is evidence of the injury or illness that occurred during military service. However, certain conditions such as tinnitus or anxiety or depression disorders could be considered to be secondary conditions that aren't directly related to the veteran's service in the military.
To claim benefits, veterans need to submit as much medical and other evidence as is feasible. This could include medical records from private sources and service treatment records. A County veterans disability lawyer Service Office, or Veterans Service Representative, can assist in speeding the claim process. It is important to be as precise as possible when reporting dates of treatment, and to forward requested information to the VA as soon as you can.
PTSD
It is possible to have lasting effects on your body and mind after an experience that was traumatic. This could include flashbacks and nightmares, difficulties concentrating at work or school or at school, feelings of anxiety and horror and a lack of interest in things you used to love. It can also trigger anxiety or depression and could lead to abuse substances.
There are effective treatments for PTSD. They can help you get back on track in your life and reduce your symptoms. Most times they require psychological therapies like counseling or talk therapy. However, medication are also used.
Research on PTSD shows that it is not only caused by trauma, but can also be caused by changes in the brain's function. It could also be caused by certain personal and environmental factors, like living in an area of war or having an ancestral history of mental illness.
Mental health conditions, such as PTSD are deemed "high-value" claims by the VA because they are harder to disprove using medical evidence, unlike conditions such as skin, auditory or musculoskeletal problems. Additionally, veterans with chronic mental health issues are more likely to be granted a disability rating of 30% or more than those suffering from other conditions.