If you are a Veteran who suffered physical or mental injuries during your service, you deserve disability compensation from the federal government. Taking on the risk of severe injuries is part of the job. However, that risk comes with reassurances that the country will take care of you and your family if you suffer harm that keeps you from being able to support yourself.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rates disabilities to determine whether a Veteran is entitled to payments. The disabilities can be cumulative to determine the whole disability rating, which is further discussed on our page for calculating VA benefits.
The two biggest obstacles you face are proving the degree of the disability and that it is service-connected. At Fight4Vets, we have a Pennsylvania Veterans disability lawyer who can guide you through the process. We are proud to take VA cases anywhere in the country.
Realizing that they are no longer able to fully support themselves can be frustrating for any person – and is especially true for Veterans. Coming to terms with that new reality can be challenging enough without having to fight for the benefits they earned.
VA disability benefits are supposed to provide compensation for Veterans and their families. The VA determines the amount of compensation by looking at the degree of disability. However, there is no asset or income test. As long as the Veteran has the appropriate rating for a service-related injury, they will qualify for benefits.
Despite this, the VA is notorious for being overzealous in its analysis of applications, which might result in denials for perfectly legitimate claims. A lawyer can help Pennsylvania Veterans properly fill out their disability applications or navigate the appeals process as efficiently as possible.
Generally, qualifying for disability benefits means establishing that someone is disabled. For Veterans’ benefits, there is an additional hurdle—proving that the disability is service-connected. Being service-connected does not necessarily mean the injury is linked to an acute accident event. Long-term exposure can lead to conditions, as well—especially chronic conditions like PTSD, Gulf War Syndrome, and even Type 2 diabetes.
Establishing that injuries are service-connected is often easier when the injury is the result of a documented accident or other event. It can be more challenging when the injury is the result of long-term exposure, especially for chronic conditions or conditions linked to toxin exposure. A VA disability attorney can use testimony, medical documentation, and Lay Statements to help establish that link for a Veteran in Pennsylvania.
Almost any type of disability can qualify for benefits—as long as the Veteran can establish the service connection. Some of the most common injuries include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spine injuries, chronic back pain, and ankle and knee injuries. Some mental health conditions are common, as well. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and drug or alcohol dependency are three of the most prominent.
Applicants seeking VA benefits should be prepared for the possibility of having to appeal. The VA routinely denies a large percentage of applications but eventually overturns many of those denials. Even applicants with verifiable service-connected disabilities could end up with a denied claim.
A Pennsylvania Veteran disability attorney can help applicants appeal the denial in the most strategic way. There are three ways to do so: a higher-level review, a Supplemental Claim, or an appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. Choosing the right one depends on the theory of the appeal and whether the applicants need to submit additional information. There are also different turnaround times for each.
Do not get discouraged if you find yourself unable to get a good grasp of the VA benefits process. It can seem impossible to tackle, especially when you are also dealing with challenges from service-connected disabilities. That’s why we are here.
A Veterans disability lawyer from Fight4Vets can help Veterans in Pennsylvania or anywhere across the country file an application or find the right way to address your appeal. Contact us now to schedule a free consultation and learn what assistance we can offer.
