How to File a Veterans Disability Claim

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

Veterans could be required to provide proof in support of their claim. Claimants can expedite the process by scheduling medical exam appointments and sending documents requested promptly.

Identifying the Disabling Condition

The military can cause injuries and illnesses like arthritis, musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. ) and respiratory issues and loss of hearing, are very common among veterans disability law firm. These ailments and injuries are approved for disability benefits at a higher percentage than other ailments due to the lasting effects.

If you've been diagnosed with an injury or illness during your time of service or during your service, the VA must be able to prove it was due to your active duty service. This includes medical clinic records and private hospital records relating to your injury or illness, and also statements from friends and family regarding your symptoms.

The severity of your issue is a significant aspect. If you are a hard worker younger vets may recover from certain bone and muscle injuries. As you get older however, your odds of recovering diminish. This is why it's vital for veterans disability attorney to file a disability claim early on, while their condition is still severe.

Those who receive an assessment of 100% permanent and total disability are eligible to apply for Supplemental Security Social Security Disability Insurance (SSI/SSDI). It will be beneficial to the Veteran to present the VA rating notification letter, which was sent by the regional office. This letter should indicate that the rating is "permanent", and that no further exams are scheduled.

Gathering Medical Evidence

If you'd like to have your VA disability benefits approved, it will need medical evidence that the medical condition is severe and incapacitating. This can include private records, a written letter from a doctor or other health care provider who treats your condition. It can include videos or images showing your symptoms.

The VA is legally required to make reasonable efforts to collect relevant evidence on your behalf. This includes both federal and non-federal records (private medical records, for instance). The agency will continue to search for these records until it is fairly certain that they don't exist. Otherwise, further efforts will be futile.

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

The report of the examination is used to determine if there is a need for a decision on the disability claim. If the VA decides that the illness is caused by service the claimant will receive benefits. A veteran can appeal against a VA decision if they disagree with the decision by submitting a formal notice of disagreement, and requesting an additional level of examiner look at their case. This is known as a Supplemental State of the Case. The VA can also decide to reopen an earlier denied claim if they are provided with 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. You can submit these documents by completing an eBenefits application on the VA website or in person at the VA office near you or by mail using Form 21-526EZ. In some cases you may need to provide additional documents or statements.

It is also necessary to find any medical records of a civilian which can prove your condition. This process could be made faster by providing the VA with the full address of the medical care facility where you received treatment. It is also important to provide the dates of your treatment.

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

If the VA determines that you're eligible for benefits, they will send an official decision letter which includes an introduction and their decision to accept or deny your claim. It also includes a rating and a specific disability benefit amount. If you are denied, they will explain what evidence they reviewed and the reasons for their decision. If you file an appeal the VA sends an Supplemental Case Statement (SSOC).

Getting a Decision

It is essential that claimants are aware of all the forms and documentation required during the gathering and reviewing of evidence. The entire process could be slowed down if a form or document is not completed correctly. It is also crucial that claimants make appointments for examinations and keep them on time.

After the VA reviews all the evidence, they will make an informed decision. The decision is either to accept or deny the claim. If the claim is denied you can submit a Notice of Disagreement to seek an appeal.

If the NOD is filed the next step of the process is to have an Statement of the Case (SOC) completed. The SOC is an account of all the evidence considered, actions taken, the decisions made, and the laws governing the decisions.

During the SOC process it is also possible for a claimant provide additional information or to have certain claims re-adjudicated. This is referred to as a Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level review, or Board Appeal. By adding new information to an existing claim may help expedite the process. These appeals permit a senior judge or veteran law judge to review the initial claim for disability again and make a new determination.