How to File a Veterans Disability Claim

A claim for veterans disability is a claim for compensation based on an illness or injury that is connected to military service. It could also be a claim for dependency and Vimeo indemnity payments (DIC) for spouses who have died and dependent children.

Veterans may be required to submit proof in support of their claim. Claimants can accelerate the process by making sure they attend their appointments for medical examinations and submitting the required documents on time.

Identifying a condition that is disabling

Injuries and illnesses that result from serving in the military, such as muscular skeletal disorders (sprains, arthritis, etc. Veterans are susceptible to respiratory issues, loss of hearing and other illnesses. These injuries and illnesses are typically approved for disability compensation at a higher rate than other conditions because they cause long-lasting effects.

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

A key consideration is how severe your situation is. If you are a hard worker, younger vets can recover from certain bone and muscle injuries. As you get older, however, your chances of recovering diminish. This is why it is vital for veterans to file a disability claim early on, while their condition is not too severe.

Those who receive an assessment of 100% permanent and total disability are able to apply for Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability Insurance (SSI/SSDI). To expedite the SSA application process, it is helpful for the Veteran to submit their VA rating notification letter from the regional office. This letter indicates the rating as "permanent" and indicates that no further tests are scheduled.

Gathering Medical Evidence

If you want your VA disability benefits approved you must provide medical evidence proving that the condition is severe and disabling. This could include private documents, a note from a physician, or a different health care provider who treats your illness. It can include videos or images showing your symptoms.

The VA is required by law to make reasonable efforts to collect relevant evidence on behalf of you. This includes federal records and non-federal records (private medical records, for example). The agency should continue to look for these records until it can be reasonably certain that they do not exist. Otherwise, further efforts will be futile.

Once the VA has all of the necessary information the VA will prepare an examination report. The report is typically based on a claimant's symptoms and their history. It is usually sent to an VA Examiner.

The report of the examination is used to determine if there is a need for a decision on the disability benefit claim. If the VA finds the condition to be dependent on service, the claimant might be entitled to benefits. If the VA does not agree, the veteran may contest the decision by filing a Notice of Disagreement and asking for an examiner at a higher level to review their case. This process is referred to as a Supplemental Statement of the Case. The VA can also decide to reopen the claim that was denied previously in the event that it receives fresh and relevant evidence to support the claim.

How to File a Claim

To prove your claim for disability, the VA will require all of your medical and service records. They can be provided by filling out the eBenefits online application, in person at a local VA office, or by mail using Form 21-526EZ. In some instances, you might need to submit additional documents or forms.

It is also important to locate any medical records of a civilian which can prove your condition. This process can be speeded up by providing the VA with the exact address of the medical facility where you received treatment. Also, you should provide dates of treatment.

The VA will conduct an examination C&P after you have provided the necessary paperwork and medical proof. This will consist of an examination of the affected part of your body and, depending on how you're disabled, lab work or X-rays may be required. The doctor will create an assessment report, which he or she will send to the VA.

If the VA determines that you are eligible for benefits, they'll mail an official decision letter which includes an introduction the decision they made to approve or deny your claim. It also includes an assessment and specific disability benefit amount. If you are denied, vimeo they'll explain what evidence they reviewed and the reason for their decision. If you decide to appeal the appeal, the VA will issue an additional statement of the Case (SSOC).

Make a Choice

During the gathering and review of evidence, it is important for claimants to stay on top of all forms and documents they must submit. The entire process could be delayed if a form or document is not completed correctly. It is important that claimants attend their scheduled tests.

After the VA examines all the evidence, they'll make the final decision. The decision is either to approve or deny the claim. If the claim is rejected, you can submit a Notice of Disagreement to seek an appeal.

If the NOD is filed then the next step in the process is having an Statement of the Case (SOC) completed. The SOC is an official document of the evidence of the case, the actions taken the decisions taken, and the laws that govern the decisions.

During the SOC process it is also possible for a claimant to add additional information or have certain claims reviewed. This is referred to as Supplemental Claims or Higher-Level Review, also known as a Board Appeal. It can be helpful in bringing new information into the claim. These appeals permit an experienced or senior law judge to examine the initial claim for disability again and make a new determination.