VA Disability Information
A Guide Through the VA Disability Process
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) grants tax-free, monthly benefits to eligible veterans who have suffered one or more disabilities as a result of their military service. Members of the U.S. Army (including the National Guard and Reserve), Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy are all eligible for disability compensation as long as they meet certain requirements. You must, for example, be an active-duty service member or have been honorably discharged or separated from the service. Your injury or disease must also be directly caused or aggravated by your service in the military.
This website was designed to be an informative tool to help you learn about VA disability benefits and to understand the VA disability process. If you are an active-duty service member, your injury or disease will be evaluated by a physical evaluation board (PEB) to determine whether or not you can return to active duty. Your PEB evaluation can also be used by the VA to determine your disability rating, which in turn determines how much you are awarded. A veteran’s disabilities are rated from 0% – 100% based on evidence provided by you and gathered by the VA from multiple sources. Multiple disabilities will require a combined disability rating, which is based on a complex formula.
The detailed and lengthy process of filing for VA disability benefits is unfamiliar to most people. – You can find extensive information on this website, but it is also recommended that you seek professional counsel. Many veterans find help from qualified VA agents or VA disability lawyers, or by simply visiting their local VA office. Counsel and guidance from a professional can help you maximize your benefits, especially in tricky cases that involve additional compensation, such as secondary service connection, earlier effective dates, or special monthly compensation (SMC).
Veterans Deserve the Right to Disability Benefits
There are many types of VA disability claims for which you may be eligible. Disability compensation comes in many forms, from service connected benefits to dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) to special monthly compensation (SMC). Veterans can file for total disability individual unemployability (TDIU) if they are unable to obtain substantial gainful employment due to their service-connected disability. Mental claims can be filed for mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Military sexual trauma (MST) claims can be filed for cases involving sexual assault, harassment, or threats in the military, which can have lasting emotional and mental consequences. Vietnam War veterans may file an Agent Orange claim if they have suffered an injury or disease that was caused by exposure to the highly toxic herbicide.
Protect Your Rights Like You Have Protected Your Country
As a veteran, you have sacrificed much to protect the United States of America. Now is the time to protect your own rights that you have earned through your service. The process to obtain of VA disability benefits is confusing, and you likely have many questions about VA disability benefit process running through your mind. This extensive website has valuable information that may provide the answers that you need to fight for the VA disability benefits that you seek and deserve.
If the VA has denied your claim or offered less benefits than you believe you deserve, then you are probably wondering, “How do I appeal?” The appeals process is very detailed, but you can read an excellent overview that outlines the VA disability appeals process on this site. This website can also help you determine when to use a lawyer. Some VA disability cases do not require legal representation whereas it is invaluable to have a lawyer by your side for other cases. Explore the rest of this informative veterans’ disability website today for more information!