How to File a Veterans Disability Claim

A veterans disability; go here, claim is a request for compensation due to an injury or disease related to military service. It could also apply to dependent spouses or children who are dependent.

A veteran might have to submit documents to support an application. Claimants can accelerate the process by making sure they attend their appointments for medical exams and submitting the required documents on time.

Identifying the Disabling Condition

Injuries and illnesses that result from serving in the military, like muscular skeletal disorders (sprains arthritis, sprains, etc. ), respiratory conditions and loss of hearing, are very frequent among veterans. These ailments and injuries are considered to be disability-related at a higher rate than others because they have long-lasting effects.

If you've been diagnosed with an injury or illness during your time of service, the VA must be able to prove it was the result of your active duty service. This includes medical documents from private hospitals and clinics that relate to the injuries or illnesses as well the statements of friends and family about your symptoms.

The severity of your illness is a major aspect. If you're active younger vets are able to recover from certain bone and muscle injuries. As you age however, the chances of recovering diminish. It is essential that veterans disability attorney file a claim for disability when their condition remains grave.

Those who have been rated as having a 100% permanent and total disability might be eligible to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance/Supplemental security Income (SSI/SSDI). To speed up the SSA application process, it is beneficial for the Veteran to submit their VA rating notification letter from the regional office. This letter declares the rating as "permanent" and also indicates that no further tests are scheduled.

Gathering Medical Evidence

If you want the VA to approve your disability benefits, it must have medical evidence that a disabling condition is present and severe. This can be evidenced by private records, a written letter from a doctor or a different health care provider who treats your illness. It can also include photos or videos which show your symptoms.

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

The VA will create an examination report when it has all the necessary details. This report is typically built on the claimant's condition and past. It is usually sent to a VA Examiner.

This report is used to make a decision on the claimant's disability benefits. If the VA finds that the condition is dependent on service, the claimant might be eligible for benefits. Veterans can appeal against a VA decision if they disagree by filing a notice of disagreement, and requesting an inspector at a higher level look into their case. This is referred to as a Supplemental Statement of the Case. The VA may also allow a reopening of an earlier denied claim when they receive new and pertinent evidence to back the claim.

How to File a Claim

The VA will require all of your medical, service and military records to prove your disability claim. They can be provided by completing the eBenefits application on the website or in person at the local VA office, or by post using Form 21-526EZ. In some instances you'll need to fill out additional documents or statements.

Tracking down civilian medical records that can support your condition is also crucial. This process can be accelerated by providing the VA with the complete address of the medical care facility where you received treatment. Also, you should provide the dates of your treatment.

The VA will conduct an examination C&P after you have submitted the necessary paperwork and medical evidence. This will consist of physical examination of the affected part of your body. Also depending on how you're disabled the lab work or X-rays could be required. The examiner will write an assessment report, which he or she will forward to the VA.

If the VA determines that you're eligible for benefits, they will issue an approval letter that contains an introduction, their decision to approve or deny your claim and a rating and a specific disability benefit amount. If you are denied, they will provide the evidence they analyzed and the reason they came to their decision. If you appeal, the VA will send a Supplemental Case Report (SSOC).

Getting a Decision

It is important that claimants are aware of the forms and documents required during the gathering and review of evidence. The entire process can be slow if a document or document is not completed correctly. It is also essential that claimants keep appointments for exams and to attend the exams as scheduled.

The VA will make the final decision after examining all evidence. This decision will either accept or reject it. If the claim is rejected, you can submit a Notice of Disagreement to request an appeal.

The next step is to write the Statement of Case (SOC). The SOC is an official document of the evidence and the actions taken, the decisions made, as well as the laws that govern the decisions.

During the SOC process, it is also possible for a claimant include new information or be able to have certain claims re-judged. This is referred to as Supplemental Claims or Higher-Level Review. It is also known as a Board Appeal. By adding new information to an existing claim may aid in speeding up the process. These types of appeals permit senior reviewers or a veteran law judge to look over the initial disability claim and possibly make a different decision.