How to File a Veterans Disability Claim

A claim for veterans disability is a request for compensation due to an injury or illness that is connected to military service. It could also be for dependent spouses or children who are dependent.

Veterans could be required to submit evidence to support their claim. Claimants can speed up the process by making sure they attend their medical appointments and submitting required documents promptly.

Identifying the presence of a disability

Injuries and illnesses that can result from serving in the military, like musculoskeletal disorders (sprains arthritis, sprains and so on. Lakewood Veterans Disability Lawyer are more susceptible to respiratory issues and hearing loss, among other illnesses. These injuries and illnesses are eligible for disability benefits more frequently than others because they have long-lasting consequences.

If you were diagnosed as having an injury or illness while on active duty then the VA will require proof the cause was your service. This includes medical records from private hospitals and clinics related to the injury or illness as well the statements of family members and friends about the symptoms you experience.

The severity of your illness is an important aspect. The younger vets are able to recover from some muscle and bone injuries when they put their efforts into it, but as you get older, your chances of recovering from these kinds of injuries decrease. It is essential that west haverstraw veterans disability attorney submit a claim for disability even if their condition is grave.

People who have been classified as having a permanent 100% and total disability could be eligible to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance/Supplemental Security income (SSI/SSDI). To help expedite the SSA application process, it is beneficial for the Veteran to submit their VA rating notification letter from the regional office. The letter identifies the rating as "permanent" and also indicates that no future exams are scheduled.

Gathering Medical Evidence

If you want the VA to accept your disability benefits, it needs medical proof that a debilitating medical condition exists and is severe. This can include private documents, a letter from a physician, or another health professional who is treating your condition. It can also include photos or videos which show your symptoms.

The VA must make reasonable efforts in order to obtain evidence relevant to your case. This includes both federal and non-federal records (private medical records, for example). The agency will continue to look for these records until it can be reasonably certain that they don't exist. Otherwise, further efforts will be futile.

The VA will then create an examination report when it has all the required information. This is based upon the claimant's history and symptoms and is usually submitted to a VA examiner.

This report is used to determine regarding the claim for disability benefits. If the VA decides that the disability illness is caused by service, the claimant will be awarded benefits. If the VA disagrees, the veteran may appeal the decision by filing an Notice of Disagreement and asking for an examiner at a higher level to review their case. This process is called a Supplemental Statement of the Case. The VA may also allow a reopening of the claim that was denied previously if it receives new and relevant evidence that supports the claim.

The process of filing a claim

To support your claim for disability, the VA will require all of your medical and service records. You can provide these by completing the eBenefits application on the web, in person at a local VA office or via mail using Form 21-526EZ. In some cases you may require additional documents or forms.

It is also essential to locate any medical records from a civilian source that can support your health condition. You can make this process faster by providing complete addresses to medical centers where you've been treated, providing dates of treatment, and being as specific as you can about the documents you're sending to the VA. Finding the location of any medical records from the military you have will enable the VA benefits division to have access to them as well.

The VA will conduct an examination C&P after you have submitted the required paperwork and medical proof. It will include an examination of the affected body part and, depending on your disability and the severity of your disability, may also include lab work or X-rays. The examiner will draft a report, which he or she will then send to the VA.

If the VA determines you are eligible for benefits, they'll send an official decision letter which includes an introduction and their decision to either approve or deny your claim and a rating and specific disability benefit amount. If you are denied, they'll explain what evidence they reviewed and the reasons for their decision. If you appeal, the VA sends a Supplemental Case Report (SSOC).

Making a Decision

During the gathering and reviewing of evidence phase it is crucial for claimants to stay aware of the forms and documents they must submit. If a form is not completed correctly or the proper type of document isn't presented then the entire process will be delayed. It is imperative that claimants attend their scheduled tests.

After the VA examines all evidence, they'll make an informed decision. The decision will either be to approve the claim or refuse it. If the claim is rejected, you can file a Notice of Disagreement to request an appeal.

The next step is to prepare a Statement of Case (SOC). The SOC is an official record of all evidence considered, the actions taken, the decisions made, and the laws governing those decisions.

During the SOC process it is also possible for a claimant add new information or get certain claims re-judged. This is referred to as Supplemental Claims or Higher-Level Review, also known as a Board Appeal. It is a good idea to add additional information to a claim. These types of appeals permit senior reviewers or a veteran law judge to go over the initial disability claim again and, if necessary, make a new decision.