Five Killer Quora Answers On Veterans Disability Legal
How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation
If you're a vet suffering from an injury or illness caused by military service, you may qualify for veterans disability compensation. The process isn't easy.
It is best to send your claims documentation as quickly as possible. VA needs time to evaluate them and assign a rating to your situation.
Disabilities related to service
Disabilities that are related to service are those that were acquired or worsened by military service. Physical health conditions such as Lou Gehrig's disease and chronic knee injuries, as well mental health issues such as PTSD are all included. It also includes recurrent illnesses like chronic skin conditions that require frequent visits to the VA for special ointments or appliances. These types of veterans disability lawyer often get compensation and other services that are free, such as healthcare and prescription medications.
In order to prove service-connection, a veteran must have solid medical evidence linking their condition to their time in the military. This is usually found in documents related to treatment, however independent medical opinions and nexus letters could help, too.
The VA utilizes a rating schedule which is based on Congressional law, to determine which conditions are suitable for compensation and at what percentage. Generally, the higher the disability rating then the more benefits are available.
A 100% permanent and total disability rating is the highest level that can be achieved rating and means that a veteran can't follow any kind of work that can be considered lucrative. People who score this high may be eligible to receive additional monthly benefits, known as Aid and Attendance. This is a way for veterans with disabilities or their surviving spouse to receive assistance in everyday chores like dressing, bathing and eating, cleaning and attending to the needs of nature. This includes organizing transportation as well as making home modifications to make the house more easily accessible.
Disabilities that last a lifetime and are total
A VA determination of disability can be a lifeline for many Veterans. The extra money earned from an SSD check is tax-free, making it very affordable and extremely beneficial. It may not cover your mortgage, but it can put food on the dinner table and send your children to college. It can be the difference between being poor and having a home and a car.
Once a veteran's claim is approved at the Regional Office level and they receive a Rating Decision. The Rating Decision lists the veteran's service-related ailments and assigns a rating for each. In some cases one condition is rated at 100 percent, while in other instances, multiple conditions, they are combined into what's called a Total Disabled Individual Unemployability (TDIU) rating. TDIU is a permanent term that means the cumulative effect of your conditions prevents you from retaining an employment that is substantial and lucrative.
If you have a TDIU rating you may request it be upgraded to a permanent, total rating by filing a claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). The VA offers this benefit to veterans who have been completely and permanently disabled due to an injury, loss of organs or body part use or a combination of both. This is a permanent distinction, however, the C&P examiner is able to reduce the rating if they determine your limitations have improved or are likely to improve in the future.
Service-Related Disabilities
Many veterans disability lawyer are affected by conditions that have a profound impact on their ability to work and live an active lifestyle, such as chronic problems with mental health, pain (like PTSD) and injuries. Disability compensation can help veterans with the financial effects of these ailments, which can be severe and last for a long time.
The VA uses a rating system to determine the severity of disability and benefits. The ratings range from 0% to 100% with higher percentages suggesting higher levels of disability. The criteria for determining this rating is based on several factors, such as the impact that the injury or illness caused on the veteran's daily life and daily activities.
Veterans may be able show an unambiguous connection between their service and their condition in some instances. For instance, a traumatizing brain injury or paralysis might be considered to be a direct connection to service when there is evidence of the injury or illness that occurred during military service. However, some conditions, like tinnitus and anxiety or depression disorders could be considered to be secondary conditions that are not directly related to the veteran's military service.
Veterans should provide as many medical records and other documents as possible to claim benefits. This can include private medical records as well as service treatment records. A County Veterans Service Office, or Veterans Service Representative, can help speed up the claim process. It is essential to provide dates of treatment as precisely as you can and provide the requested information as fast as possible to the VA.
PTSD
It is possible to experience lasting effects on your mind and body after trauma. It can cause flashbacks and nightmares, difficulty concentrating at work or school as well as feelings of fear and horror and a lack of interest in activities you used to love. It can also trigger anxiety or depression, and could result in addiction to substances, especially among teens and young adults.
There are effective treatments available for PTSD. They can assist you in getting your life back on track and help reduce the symptoms. Most of the time they require psychological therapies such as counseling or talking therapy. However, medications can be used.
Research on PTSD has proven that the condition is not only caused by trauma but changes in the way your brain functions. It could also be caused by certain environmental and personal factors, like living in a war zone or having a family history of mental illness.
Mental health issues, such as PTSD, are considered "high-value" claims by the VA because they are harder to prove by medical evidence than other ailments like skin, neurological and musculoskeletal, or auditory. Moreover, veterans who have disabilities in their mental health are much more likely be awarded a disability rating of 30% or more than those with other conditions.