Who can help me file a claim for VA disability?
Veterans have many options when it comes to getting help with their VA claims. You can do it yourself online or work with an accredited VSO for initial claims or a Claims Agent or Attorney for previously denied claims. The VA.gov website makes it super easy to prepare and file your own VA claim online in just a few minutes.
What disabilities qualify for VA disability?
Office of Personnel Management Guidelines
- Competitively Filled Positions. Jobs that are filled competitively are advertised through USAJOBS. ...
- Non-competitively Filled Positions. ...
- Required Disability Documentation. ...
What benefits are you eligible for as a disabled veteran?
- No cost health care and prescription medications
- Travel allowance for scheduled appointments for care at a VA medical facility or VA authorized health care facility
- Waiver of VA funding fee for home loan
- 10 point Veteran preference in federal hiring
- Direct hire authority
- Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
How do I apply for VA disability benefits?
When we solemnly swore our oath in supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States, we didn’t have in our heads the idea that existed the potential to leave military service with fewer abilities had we not entered military service at all.
How do I claim disability from the military?
You can apply online for veterans disability benefits using the Veterans On-Line Application (VONAPP). To apply by mail, complete Application for Veterans Compensation and/or Pension, which can be found at the VA Forms Website, and send it to your local VA office. You can apply by phone by calling 800-827-1000.
What conditions can you claim for VA disability?
You may be able to get VA disability benefits for conditions such as:Chronic (long-lasting) back pain resulting in a current diagnosed back disability.Breathing problems resulting from a current lung condition or lung disease.Severe hearing loss.Scar tissue.Loss of range of motion (problems moving your body)Ulcers.More items...•
What determines military disability?
DoD Disability Ratings are determined based on time-in-service, rank, and the disability percentage. This is in contrast to VA disability ratings which are based only on the severity of the medical issue.
How do I get evaluated for VA disability?
Resources and support.Call us. 800-698-2411.Visit a medical center or regional office. Find a VA location.
Is it hard to get VA disability?
As you might expect, it is difficult to obtain a 100% VA disability rating with just one service-connected disability. Most veterans who receive a 100% rating have two or more disabling conditions. Often, these conditions have a secondary service connection.
What is the easiest VA disability to claim?
TinnitusThe #1 Easiest VA Disability to Claim: Tinnitus Tinnitus can only have one VA rating. It is either 10% or nothing. There is no lower VA rating and there is no higher VA rating. Therefore, we call it a “low-value” claim, because it is always rated at 10%, and 10% only, with no exceptions.
How long does it take to get military disability?
As of June 2021, the average time it takes for the VA to issue a decision on VA benefits is 134.4 days. If your application is denied and you want to complete the appeals process, it will take approximately 125 days for a Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level Review and more than one year for a Board Hearing.
What is the VA 5 year rule?
The VA disability rating 5-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot reduce a veteran's disability rating if it has been in place for five years or more unless the condition shows sustained improvement over time. In this situation, the veteran's rating is considered a stabilized rating.
What is the difference between VA disability and military disability?
VA disability ratings are based entirely upon the severity of the injury. DoD disability ratings are given only for conditions occurring from the injury a service member is claiming, while the VA will take your entire medical condition as a whole into consideration in making a rating decision.
Why do VA claims get denied?
If a Veteran does not submit enough proof about their disability in their VA claim , the VA will likely deny their claim. The VA has strict guidelines about what types of medical conditions qualify as disabilities and what level of compensation each veteran can receive based on the impact of the condition.
Can you file a VA claim without medical records?
If several attempts to find the missing medical evidence have failed, you can still win your VA disability case if you can find other evidence of the accident or treatment. The evidence in your file may show a sudden drop off in health or a leave from duty that can support your assertion that an event occurred.
How long after I get out of the military can I claim disability?
A joint VA-Department of Defense (DoD) program gives service members the opportunity to file VA disability claims from 180 to 90 days prior to their separation or retirement from active duty.
What is VA DIC?
Compensation benefits for a surviving spouse and dependents (VA DIC) Learn about getting VA disability benefits as a surviving spouse, dependent child, or parent.
What is VA disability compensation?
VA disability compensation. VA disability compensation (pay) offers a monthly tax-free payment to Veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military and to Veterans whose service made an existing condition worse. You may qualify for VA disability benefits for physical conditions ...
Can you get VA disability for mental health?
You may qualify for VA disability benefits for physical conditions (like a chronic illness or injury) and mental health conditions (like PTSD) that developed before, during, or after service. Find out how to apply for and manage the Veterans disability benefits you've earned.
How to file a VA claim?
Choose one of three ways: 1 Apply online, using the VA's VETS.GOV website , or 2 Work with a Veteran's Service Organization. These groups know the intricacies of dealing with the VA and can help you ensure your submission is complete and correct. They will provide free assistance, anyone who charges you for help filing a VA claim is ripping you off. 3 Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee assist you.
What is a fully developed VA claim?
Filing a "Fully Developed Claim" is the fastest way to get a decision from the VA, this simply means that you should submit all of your supporting documentation with your claim for benefits. This documentation includes:
How long does it take for VA to process a claim?
OK, you've filed your claim, now you sit and wait. It can take months, but usually the VA will send you a letter when: they get your claim, they start working on your claim, if they need more information, around every month or so while they are working on it. when they make a decision on your claim.
Can you have multiple VA appointments?
The VA may schedule you for multiple medical appointments depending on how many or what type of disabilities you claim. Other than attend scheduled examinations, you don’t need to do anything else unless VA sends you a letter saying it needs more information.
How to apply for VA education benefits?
The best way to apply for your education benefits is by going to www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/. You can also apply for education benefits by doing any of the following options: By mail. Call 888-442-4551, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, to request that we send the application to you.
What to do before leaving the military?
If you are a member of the armed forces serving on either active duty or full-time National Guard duty, you should apply through the VA Pre-discharge claim program before leaving service. Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits for service members and Veterans.
How to apply for VA benefits?
You can apply for this benefit in any of these ways: 1 Mail the form to the Pension Management Center (PMC) for your state.#N#Find your PMC 2 Work with an accredited representative.#N#Get help filing your claim 3 Go to a VA regional office and get help from a VA employee.#N#Find a VA regional office near you
Where to apply for VA pension?
You can apply for pension benefits online at www.va.gov/pension. To submit a paper application Pension benefits, download and complete VA Form 21P-527EZ, "Application for Pension" and mail it to the Pension Management Center that serves your state.
What are the benefits of veterans with disabilities?
These include compensation, pensions, and grants for veterans with certain service-connected disabilities as well as pensions for some veterans 65 and older and grants for vets with age-related disabilities.
What is VA disability compensation?
Disability compensation is for an illness or injury that happens because of or was made worse by your military service. It’s not income-based and war service is not required. A VA pension is for war veterans with a low income and who may have a disability that is not service-related.
Do wartime veterans get a pension?
Wartime veterans with a low income and their survivors may qualify for a tax-free pension. These monthly payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are based on financial need.
Can you get Aid and Attendance if you receive a VA pension?
Aid & Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits. If you receive a VA pension, you may also qualify for Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits . You can only get one of them. Each has its own qualifications.
Is VA pension taxable?
Here are two ways to tell the difference: Military retirement is taxable but a VA pension is tax-free. Military retirement uses years of service (not necessarily wartime). But a VA pension is based on wartime service and financial need.
Can veterans get housing assistance?
Veterans with certain service-connected or aging-related disabilities can get housing help. You may qualify for special housing grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Apply for a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) or a Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant. You can use it to:
How to apply for VA disability?
How do I prepare before starting my application? 1 Find out if you’re eligible for VA disability compensation 2 Gather any evidence (supporting documents) you’ll submit yourself when you file your VA disability claim. 3 Be sure your claim is filled out completely and you have all the supporting documents ready to send in along with your claim. This will help us process your claim quickly.#N#Learn about fully developed claims 4 Find out if you’ll need to turn in any additional forms with your claim
What are VA medical records?
VA medical records and hospital records that relate to your claimed illnesses or injuries or that show your rated disability has gotten worse. Private medical records and hospital reports that relate to your claimed illnesses or injuries or that show your disability has gotten worse.
How to submit intent to file?
You can submit your intent to file by phone or by written form. Note: If you file your claim online, you don't need to separately send an intent to file form. The online application already includes your intent to file.
How long can you be on disability with VA?
If you've had your VA disability for more than five years, the VA has to prove that your illness or disease has gotten better and will stay better before reducing or terminating your rating. If you've had your disability for 10 years or more, the VA can very rarely terminate your benefits unless it proves that you've been fraudulent in your claim.
What to do if you disagree with the VA?
If you disagree with the VA's decision on your disability, you can file what is known as a "Notice of Disagreement" with the VA. This is also known as an appeal.
Can the VA reduce my disability?
It can, however, reduce your benefits. If you've had your disability for 20 years, the VA won't reduce your rating below the lowest one you've received in those 20 years. The VA can also reduce or terminate your compensation if you miss a scheduled disability rating medical exam.
Can a disability cause knee pain?
There may come a time that your disability begins to worsen. You may have more pain, have new symptoms, or find that your existing disability causes other issues. For example, your service-connected back injury leads you to favor one leg over the other, causing knee pain.
Can you get a disability increase from the VA?
Many types of medical conditions get worse over time. If you are getting disability benefits from the VA, you have the right to request that your rating be increased if your medical condition gets worse or causes your health to deteriorate. Before you file for an increase in your disability rating, make sure you know what you can expect from ...
VA Rating Increase: 4 Essential Elements for VA Disability Claims
There are four (4) essential elements you must prove to get your VA disabilities service connected, rated, or increased.
About the Author
Brian Reese is VA benefits expert, author of the #1 Amazon Bestseller You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits You’ve Earned, and founder of VA Claims Insider – “The Most Trusted Name in Education-Based Resources for Veterans.”
