How to File a Veterans Disability Claim

A veterans disability claim is a claim for compensation for an injury or disease related to military service. It could also be a request for dependency and indemnity payments (DIC) for spouses who survive and dependent children.

A veteran might need to submit evidence to support an application. Claimants can accelerate the process by keeping their medical exam appointments and submitting the required documents on time.

Identifying a disabling condition

The possibility of ill-health and injuries that result from serving in the military, like muscle and joint disorders (sprains, arthritis, etc. ), respiratory conditions and hearing loss are quite frequent among veterans. These ailments and injuries are approved for disability benefits more frequently than other types due to their lasting effects.

If you were diagnosed with an illness or injury while on active duty or in the military, the VA will need proof that it was caused by your service. This includes medical documents from private hospitals and clinics related to the illness or injury as well statements from family and friends regarding your symptoms.

The severity of your illness is a key factor. Veterans who are younger can generally recover from some muscle and bone injuries as long as they work at it, but as you get older, the chances of recovery from these conditions diminish. This is why it is vital for veterans disability law firm to file a claim for disability at an early stage, even if their condition is still serious.

If you have been assessed as having a permanent 100% and total disability might be eligible to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance/Supplemental Security Income (SSI/SSDI). It is helpful to the Veteran to present the VA rating notification letter that was issued by the regional office. This letter should indicate that the rating is "permanent" and that no further examinations are scheduled.

Gathering Medical Evidence

If you wish to have your VA disability benefits approved it will require medical evidence to prove that the illness is severe and debilitating. This can include private documents, a note from a doctor, or a different health care provider who treats your illness. It can also include images or videos which show your symptoms.

The VA must make reasonable efforts to gather evidence relevant to your particular case. This includes federal records and non-federal records (private medical records, veterans disability for instance). The agency should continue to look for these kinds of records until it's certain that they do not exist or any further efforts would be ineffective.

Once the VA has all the required information it will then prepare an examination report. The report is typically based on a claimant's symptoms and their history. It is typically submitted to an VA Examiner.

This report is used to determine on the claimant's eligibility for disability benefits. If the VA finds that the condition is service-related, the claimant may be entitled to benefits. Veterans can appeal against a VA decision if they disagree by submitting a notice of disagreement and asking that an examiner at a higher level review their case. This is referred to as a Supplemental Statement of the Case. The VA can also decide to reopen an earlier denied claim if they receive new and pertinent evidence to back the claim.

How to File a Claim

To prove your claim for disability, the VA will need all of your medical and service records. You can submit these documents by filling out an eBenefits application on the VA website or in person at an VA office near you, or by mail using Form 21-526EZ. In some cases, you must submit additional documents or statements.

It is also essential to find any medical records from the civil service that can support your illness. This process can be made easier by providing the VA with the complete address of the medical care facility where you received treatment. You should also provide the dates of treatment.

Once you have completed all the necessary paperwork and medical evidence after which the VA will conduct an C&P examination. This will involve a physical exam of the affected area of your body and depending on how you're disabled and the extent of your disability, lab work or X-rays might be required. The examiner will prepare an examination report, which he or she will forward to the VA.

If the VA decides that you are eligible to receive benefits, they will send you a letter of decision which includes an introduction as well as a decision on whether to approve or deny your claim a rating, and an exact amount of disability benefits. If you are denied benefits, they will provide the evidence they analyzed and why they made their decision. If you file an appeal the appeal, the VA will send an Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

Making a Decision

During the gathering and review of evidence it is essential for claimants to stay aware of the forms and documents they are required to submit. If a form is not completed correctly or the correct type of document isn't sent the entire process could be delayed. It is also important that claimants keep appointments for examinations and attend them as scheduled.

The VA will make an official decision after reviewing all the evidence. The decision can either approve or reject it. If the claim is rejected, you can make a notice of Disagreement to make an appeal.

The next step is to complete the Statement of Case (SOC). The SOC is an official record of all evidence considered, actions taken, the decisions made, and the laws that govern the decisions.

During the SOC, a claimant can also add additional details to their claim or have it re-adjudicated. This is known as a Supplemental Claims, Higher-Level Review, or Board Appeal. The addition of new information to an existing claim may make the process easier. These types of appeals permit an experienced reviewer or veteran law judge to look over the initial disability claim and even make a different decision.