How to File a Veterans Disability Claim

A veterans disability claim is a claim for compensation based on an injury or illness related to military service. It could also be a request for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for spouses of survivors and dependent children.

A veteran might need to provide evidence to support an application. Claimants can speed up the process by making appointments for medical examinations and sending requested documents on time.

Identifying the Disabling Condition

The military can lead to injuries and illnesses such as arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions, and sprains. Veterans are prone to respiratory issues as well as hearing loss and other ailments. These illnesses and injuries are approved for disability benefits more often than others because they have long-lasting consequences.

If you were diagnosed with an injury or illness while on active duty or in the military, the VA will require proof that the cause was your service. This includes medical clinic and private hospital records related to the injury or illness you suffered, and also the statements of family and friends regarding your symptoms.

One of the most important aspects to consider is how severe your condition is. Veterans who are younger can generally recover from a few muscle and bone injuries if they work at it however as you grow older, the chances of recovery from these kinds of injuries diminish. It is crucial that veterans make a claim for disability when their condition is serious.

The people 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). It will be beneficial to the Veteran to supply the VA rating notification letter that was issued by the regional office. The letter should state that the rating is "permanent", and that no further tests are scheduled.

Gathering Medical Evidence

If you want your VA disability benefits approved you must provide medical evidence that proves the medical condition is severe and incapacitating. This can include private medical records, a declaration from a doctor Veterans Disability or another health care professional who treats your illness, as well as evidence by way of photographs and videos that show the signs or injuries you have suffered.

The VA must make reasonable efforts to obtain evidence relevant to your particular case. 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 don't exist, or further efforts would be ineffective.

After the VA has all the necessary information It will then draft an examination report. This is based upon the claimant's medical history and symptoms and is usually submitted to an VA examiner.

This examination report is then used to make a decision on the disability claim. If the VA decides that the condition is related to service, the claimant could be qualified for benefits. If the VA does not agree, the veteran can contest the decision by filing a Notice of Disagreement and asking a higher-level examiner to review their case. This process is referred to as a Supplemental Statement 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

The VA will require all of your medical documents, military and service records to prove your disability claim. You can submit these by completing the eBenefits application on the website or in person at the local VA office, or Veterans Disability by mail using Form 21-526EZ. In certain situations, you may require additional documents or forms.

It is also necessary to locate any medical records of a civilian that could support your medical health condition. This process could be made faster by providing the VA with the exact address of the medical care facility where you received treatment. You must also give the dates of your treatment.

The VA will conduct an examination C&P once you have submitted the necessary paperwork and medical evidence. It will include an examination of the body part affected and, depending on your disability and the severity of your disability, may also include lab work or X-rays. The examiner will draft the report, which she or she will submit to the VA.

If the VA decides you are eligible for benefits, they'll send you a letter of decision which includes an introduction as well as a decision on whether to approve or deny your claim, an assessment and a specific disability benefit amount. If you are denied, they'll provide the evidence they analyzed and the reasons for their decision. If you file an appeal, the VA will send a Supplemental Case Report (SSOC).

Making a Choice

During the gathering and review of evidence phase it is essential for claimants to stay aware of the forms and documents they have to submit. The entire process could be slowed down if a form or document is not completed correctly. It is imperative that claimants attend their scheduled examinations.

The VA will make an ultimate decision after reviewing all the evidence. The decision can either decide to approve or reject it. If the claim is rejected you may submit a Notice of Disagreement to make 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 account of all the evidence considered, actions taken, the decisions made, and the laws governing those decisions.

During the SOC process it is also possible for a claimant to provide additional information or to have certain claims reviewed. 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 could help expedite the process. These types of appeals permit senior reviewers or a veterans law judge to go over the initial disability claim again and potentially make a different decision.