Eleven Things You Should Know About Veterans Disability Benefits

bg Many veterans find the VA and the process of filing for veterans disability benefits confusing.  We know that it can be confusing and would like to help clarify the process a little bit.  Here are eleven things you should know about veterans disability benefits.

1.  You must use VA’s forms to file for disability compensation benefits

VA changed its regulations in 2015.  The new regulations require you to use standard forms that are published by VA.  If you do not use the right forms, VA will probably deny your claim until you use the right forms.

2.  If you receive a rating decision from VA, you have one year to file a notice of disagreement

VA often denies veterans applications for disability compensation benefits.  Even when they do not completely deny the claim, they often assign an incorrect rating or the wrong effective date for benefits.  To appeal VA’s rating decision, you need to file a notice of disagreement.

3.  If you have more than one service-connected disability, VA math does not work like regular math

VA has special math that it uses when you have more than one service-connected disability.  While you would think that a 30% rating for a back condition plus a 30% rating for PTSD equals a total rating 60%, VA math will usually cause it to equal 50%.

4.  If you served “boots on the ground” in Vietnam, many conditions like diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and certain types of cancer are presumed to be caused by your military service

Most veterans who served in Vietnam are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange during their military service.  VA presumes that certain medical conditions are caused by that Agent Orange exposure.

5.  You cannot appeal a remand from VA, but you usually can improve your case

If you appeal VA’s rating decision, one way that you can be successful is by getting your claim remanded by the Board of Veterans Appeals or the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.  A case is usually remanded because VA made some error in your case.  This does not necessarily mean that you win your case.  Many times, it gives you an opportunity to improve your case by presenting additional evidence to VA.

6.  Like Vietnam veterans, veterans who served in the Gulf War are entitled to a presumption that certain diseases were caused by their military service

VA established presumptions that fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and certain other medical conditions are presumed to be connected to a Gulf War veteran’s service.  This presumption means that a Gulf War veterans will not have to prove that these conditions are service-connected.

7.  Veterans with service-connected traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) receive a presumption that certain other medical conditions were caused by the TBI

Secondary conditions are conditions that are related to a service-connected condition.  VA established by rule that certain conditions which develop are presumed to be secondary to a TBI.  Those conditions include depression, seizures, dementia, symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, and certain hormone deficiencies.  Whether the presumption applies depends on the condition and the severity of the TBI.

8.  You can get a 100% rating through total disability individual unemployability (TDIU) even if VA math does not add up to 100%

Many veterans have serious service-connected conditions that cause them to be unable to work.  In some situations, these veterans can prove that they are unemployable and qualify for a 100% rating using TDIU.

9.  Veterans can qualify for additional benefits using special monthly compensation

Special monthly compensation is payable in addition to the regular benefit that the veterans would receive.  Among other things, it can be paid for loss of a limb, loss of sight or hearing, and aid and attendance.

10.  You can get a free consultation with a VA accredited attorney to answer your questions about VA benefits

Many people have questions about veterans benefits.  We are happy to provide you with a free consultation so that you can get answers to your questions.

11.  Our VA accredited attorney’s will often represent you for free if you are filing an initial application for benefits

We can represent you on an initial application or an appeal.  If you decide you need help filing an initial application after talking to us, we will often agree to help you file that initial application for free.  Sometimes, our free representation can result in a significant recovery for you.

remand

Travis Studdard is an attorney who focuses on representing veterans in VA disability compensation claims.  He regularly writes about issues that are important to veterans and their families.

You can subscribe to his Veterans Disability channel on YouTube.

I highly recommend going to Perkins studdard for VA claims! We have been fighting with the VA on service connected disabilities for 5 years and they helped us get our claims processed. Thank you guys!!!Chelsea
Recommend 100% After calling many attorneys and being turned away. They took my case and did amazingly well. They were patient and respectful throughout the process. Thease guys are legit and know their stuff!!!Mary Ann Sotelo
Great people, Great Service 100% Satisfied and has recommended them to a few people.Flo N Scnts Johnson
Happy and impressed working with Perkins Studdard to help me through the VA claim maze. Don't hesitate to contact them for help. You cannot do it alone.Jim & Linda Woychik
My experience with this firm was overwhelmingly awesome! My attorney is very knowledgeable in veteran law and the rest of the staff is polite and they answer emails in a timely manner. I definitely recommend Perkins Studdard for you VA claim needs.Juan Armenta
Couldn’t be happier with the service they provided me. After so much time spent working with the VA to grant me disability for my service connected disabilities I was denied. Exhausted with the process and ready to give up a friend recommended this firm to assist me with an appeal. They handled all of it, keeping me updated regularly on progress, and eventually getting me the disability rating that was due. This was the happiest I’ve been to pay an invoice for services received.Kendall Lucy
100 % recomendable, in my humble opinion they are the best. I am very grateful with their assistance in filling my claim with the VA and winning They have done an outstanding job. They are professional ThanksFrancisco Javier Pérez A
They assessed my case as being potentially tdiu qualified and got to work right away. I only provided the information they asked me for and let them do their work. I didn’t hound them, I didn’t pester them, I just let them do their work and provided what they asked for and trusted the process. Within a few months or so I was awarded a tdiu rating. In my case I’m a combat vet of oef, but the Va had denied me twice for a benefit that I know I qualified for. The Perkins-studdard firm got the the benefit I deserved and I am eternally grateful for their expertise and hard work.M C
Jason provided provided outstanding counsel and support. His communication was exemplary, with prompt and informative responses to all my inquiries. The entire team was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring, transforming a potentially stressful experience into a positive one. I cannot recommend their services highly enough. Thanks Jason!Cody
I saw Travis on some YouTube videos. It was the way he worded things, I just felt compelled to contact them about my situation, he seemed trustworthy. Travis told me he thought he could help me. I was hesitant, but proceeded. The claim process was long, but my claim was granted. They are organized and punctual. Jessica and Travis are a strong team. I feel the Lord led me to Perkins & Studdard. I consider Travis an advocate and friend. ThanksCorby Reese

Related Posts

Contrast:

Font Size: