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 can also be for dependent spouses or children who are dependent.

Veterans may be required to submit proof to support their claim. Claimants can accelerate the process by ensuring they keep their medical exam appointments and submitting required documents promptly.

Identifying the presence of a disability

Injuries and illnesses that result from service in the military, like muscular skeletal disorders (sprains arthritis, sprains, etc. ), respiratory conditions, and loss of hearing are common among veterans disability lawyers. These ailments and injuries are typically approved for disability compensation at a much greater rate than other conditions because they can have lasting effects.

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

One of the most important aspects to consider is how serious your illness is. If you work hard young vets can recover from certain muscle and bone injuries. As you get older however, the chances of recovering decrease. It is essential that veterans file a claim for disability while their condition is still grave.

People who are awarded an assessment of 100 percent permanent and total disability are eligible to apply for Supplemental Security Social Security Disability Insurance (SSI/SSDI). To expedite the SSA application process, it's beneficial for the Veteran to provide their VA rating notification letter from the regional office that declares the rating as "permanent" and also indicates that no further tests are scheduled.

Gathering Medical Evidence

If you wish the VA to approve your disability benefits, it must have medical evidence to prove that a disabling medical condition exists and is severe. This can be evidenced by private documents, a note from a physician, or another health professional, who treats your condition. It could also include photos or videos showing your symptoms.

The VA is legally required to make reasonable efforts to obtain relevant evidence on behalf of you. This includes both federal and non-federal records (private medical records, for instance). The agency is required to search for these types of records until it is certain that they do not exist or further efforts would be ineffective.

After the VA has all of the necessary information it will then prepare an examination report. It is based on the patient's history and the symptoms, and is typically submitted to an VA examiner.

This report is used to determine on the claim for disability benefits. If the VA determines that the disabling illness is caused by service, the claimant will be awarded benefits. The veteran may appeal the VA decision if they disagree with the decision by submitting a formal notice of disagreement, Veterans disability and requesting an examiner at a higher level review their case. This is referred to as a Supplemental State of the Case. The VA can also reconsider a previously denied claim in the event that it receives fresh and relevant evidence that backs the claim.

How to File a Claim

To prove your claim for disability benefits, the VA will require all of your medical records and service records. You can provide them by filling out the eBenefits website application in person at a local VA office, or by post using Form 21-526EZ. In some instances you will need to submit additional documents or Veterans Disability statements.

Finding civilian medical records that confirm your condition is equally important. This process can be speeded up by providing the VA with the full address of the medical facility where you received treatment. You must also give the dates of your treatment.

After you have provided all the necessary paperwork and medical evidence and medical evidence, the VA will conduct a C&P examination. This will consist of physical examination of the affected part of your body. Also, depending on how you're disabled testing with a lab or X-rays might be required. The examiner will then prepare an examination report and submit it to the VA for review.

If the VA decides that you are eligible for benefits, they'll send you a decision letter which includes an introduction and a decision to accept or deny your claim a rating, and an exact amount of disability benefits. If you are denied benefits, they will provide the evidence they reviewed and the reasons behind their decision. If you contest the decision, the VA will issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

Make a Decision

It is vital that the claimants are aware of all the forms and documents needed during the gathering and review of evidence phase. If a form is not filled out correctly or if the correct type of document isn't provided, the entire process can be delayed. It is imperative that claimants attend their scheduled exams.

The VA will make an ultimate decision after reviewing all evidence. This decision will either approve the claim or reject it. If the claim is rejected You can submit a Notice of Disagreement to seek an appeal.

If the NOD is filed the next step of the process is to obtain 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 add additional information or be able to have certain claims re-judged. This is called a Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level Review. Board Appeal. The addition of new information to an existing claim could help expedite the process. These types of appeals allow senior reviewers or a veterans law judge to go over the initial disability claim again and even make a different decision.