5 Killer Quora Answers On Veterans Disability Legal

How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation

If you're a former soldier suffering from an injury or illness caused by military service, you could qualify for veterans disability compensation. The process can be a bit complicated.

It is best to submit your claims as quickly as possible. VA requires time to review them and assign a rating to your claim.

Service-Connected Disabilities

Service-related disabilities are those that are incurred or worsened in military service. They include physical health issues such as chronic knee injuries and Lou Gehrig's disease as well as mental health issues such as PTSD. This includes skin conditions that require frequent VA visits to get special applications or ointments. Veterans with this kind of condition are usually entitled to compensation and services. This includes no-cost medical care, prescription medication and other benefits.

To prove their service veterans must present medical evidence that ties their condition to their military service. This is typically determined by the service treatment records. However independent medical opinions and the nexus letter may also be helpful.

The VA uses a rating scale which is based on Congressional law to determine which conditions are entitled to compensation and at what percentage. In general the higher the disability rating and the higher the disability ratings, the greater benefits are available.

The highest rating that can be achieved is 100% permanent and total disabilities. This means that the veteran will not be able to pursue any type of gainful employment. Those who are rated this high are likely to be eligible for additional monthly benefits, known as Aid and Attendance. This allows disabled veterans or their spouse who is surviving to receive assistance in daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, cleaning, feeding, and attending to the wants of nature. This includes organizing transportation and home modifications to make the environment easier to access.

Permanent and Total Disability

For many Veterans for many, a VA determination of disability is a lifeline. The additional income from a disability check can be extremely helpful and affordable since it is tax-free. It might not cover the mortgage, but it can help put food on the table and get kids through college. It can even make the difference between being poor and having a roof over your head and having a car parked in the garage.

After a veteran's claim has been approved by the Regional Office the veteran will receive an Rating Decision. The Rating Decision outlines the veteran's service-related conditions and assigns a score to each. In some cases a single condition is rated at 100 percent, while in other instances, multiple conditions, the two are combined to create what's called a Total Disabled Individual Unemployability (TDIU) rating. TDIU is a designation that lasts forever which means that the combined effect of your ailments prevent you from being able to maintain an employment that is substantial and lucrative.

If you have an TDIU rating, you can request that it be upgraded to a permanent, total rating by submitting a claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). This is a bonus benefit that the VA provides to veterans disability lawyer who are permanently and completely disabled due to loss of function or amputation of organs or body parts. This is a permanent distinction but the C&P examiner could reduce your rating if they find that your impairments have improved or could improve in the future.

Disabilities related to Service

Many veterans suffer from conditions that have a major impact on their ability to lead an active and productive life. This includes chronic pain, mental illness (like PTSD), and injuries. Disability compensation is a way to help veterans deal with the financial burden of these ailments. These issues can be serious and last a long time.

The VA uses an assessment system that determines disability severity and benefit amounts. The ratings range from 0% up to 100 percent with higher percentages indicating greater levels of disability. The criteria for determining this rating is based on several factors, including the impact the illness or injury affects the veteran's daily routine and life.

Veterans may be able to demonstrate a direct service connection with their condition in some instances. For instance, a traumatic brain injury or paralysis may be considered to be a direct connection to service in the event that there is evidence of the injury or illness that occurred during military service. Certain conditions, such as depression, tinnitus, or anxiety disorders, could be considered secondary conditions, and not directly connected to the service of a veteran.

To be eligible for benefits, veterans should provide as many medical and other proof as is feasible. This could include private documents of medical treatment as well as treatment for service. A County Veterans Service Office, or Veterans Service Representative, can aid in the speeding up of the claim process. It is important to be as exact as you can when reporting dates of treatment, and to submit requested information to the VA promptly.

PTSD

If you've been through a devastating event, it can leave lasting effects on your body and mind. This could include nightmares and flashbacks. It can also cause problems with concentration at school or work, feelings of terror and anxiety, and a decline in the interests you used to enjoy. It can also cause depression or anxiety and can lead to substance abuse, especially among teens and young adults.

The good news is that there are effective treatments for PTSD. They can assist you in getting your life back on track and reduce the symptoms. The majority of them involve psychological treatments such as talking therapy or counseling but medicines can also be utilized.

Research on PTSD has shown that it is not just the result of trauma, but can also be caused by changes in the brain's functioning. It can also be exacerbated by personal and environmental triggers like living in the war zone or having an underlying mental illness.

Mental health issues like PTSD are deemed "high value" claims by VA because they are more difficult to prove using medical evidence than ailments such as skin, neurological or auditory problems. Veterans with disabling mental conditions are more likely to receive an impairment rating of more than 30 percent than those with no.