5 Things Veterans Need To Do To Get Their VA Disability Claim Approved in 2019

2019 has started, and that means it’s time for new goals for the new year. If you’re a Veteran one of your goals for 2019 might be getting your VA Disability Claim approved. If this is one of your goals for the new year, it may be a difficult task. Claims are still backlogged, and more Veterans are applying for service connection. Don’t let that discourage you though. There are certain things you can do this year to help you get the benefits you deserve.

1. File for benefits. If you haven’t applied for VA disability benefits before, take the time today to You can’t get approved if you don’t apply first. Applying is easier than ever. You can apply online via the VA website. One of the benefits of applying online is that you can save your progress and come back to the application if you need to take a break. This is also helpful if you need to get additional paperwork. For instance, if you need to look at the date of your DD-214, you can pause the application while you find the information you need. It’s also easier to submit the application online too. However, if you’d rather fill out your application the traditional way, you still can. The application is tricky though. You may want to seek help when filing for your benefits. Our law firm will help you with your initial application.
2. Get treatment. This was on our list in 2018, 2017, and every list since this blog started in 2011. And (spoiler alert,) seeking treatment will also be on our 2020 list. Treatment is the most important aspect of any VA Disability Claim. Treatment is the evidence the VA uses to approve or deny your claim. Treatment can be obtained from a medical professional like a doctor, but that does not have to be the only type of treatment you receive. For instance, if you have PTSD, you may seek treatment from a doctor, but if you attend some sort of PTSD Support Group, that too can be considered a form of treatment. Not only does it show the VA that you have the condition, but it also proves that you are treating for your PTSD. Even if you do nothing else on this list this year, be sure to get medical treatment.
3. Don’t procrastinate. This may be one of the most difficult goals to accomplish this year, but it’s one of the most important things to consider when pursuing VA Disability Benefits. The reason why it’s so important to be prompt with the VA is that they have some strict deadlines. If you wait too long and miss an appeal, your claim will automatically close. If your claim closes you will lose your backpay date. If you lose your backpay date you may lose out on thousands of dollars worth of back pay. Also, considering it takes at least 12 to 18 months to receive an initial decision, missing an appeal could mean several more years of waiting.
4. Talk to other Veterans. Many individuals who serve in the military develop great bonds with others who serve. This bond often ends after service though. Too often Veterans find themselves isolated when they return from serving, especially when they’ve served in combat. Reconnecting with others who serve can be beneficial. Finding others with shared experiences can help you feel less alone. With social media, it’s easier than ever to reconnect with other Veterans. However, you can still connect with other Veterans in traditional ways too. One of the most common ways to connect is to try a local Veterans organization. Many are social clubs which require membership to attend. However, they often host events which can be a lot of fun.
5. Consider hiring an attorney. VA Disability claims can be tough. Many claims take several years and it’s almost as if the VA is working against you. Not only are the claims time consuming, but they are also frustrating. Sometimes Veterans are hesitant to hire an attorney because they’ve sometimes never hired one before. A VA Attorney doesn’t charge an upfront fee. This is how our firm handles fees. Our fees are based on a contingency. In other words, we only receive an attorney fee if you get service connected. The fee is 20% of whatever backpay you receive. Attorneys help in many ways. We submit paperwork, file appeals, help with evidence, we can help get second opinions, and much more. We’ve helped thousands of Veterans and we have the knowledge and the compassion you need.

We hope you have a great year, and we hope you get the VA Disability Benefits you deserve. If you’d like to know more about the services we offer, give us a call today for a free consultation. Our number is 1-877-526-3457. Or you can fill out this form so we can call you later.