VETERANS DISABILITY BENEFITS FAQS
Veterans Disability benefits are part of a total package in which the members of the armed forces may be entitled to. In peacetime or wartime, military personnel receive various benefits both during active duty and as Veterans. When an injury or illness has its onset during active duty, whether domestically or overseas, there are opportunities for the affected uniformed men and women to obtain disability compensation, even after military service is over. When the injury or illness results in disability, a Veteran can receive monthly payments depending on how severely he or she is disabled.
- What are VA disability benefits?
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) grants compensation (also known as VA Disability Compensation) to Veterans who have served in the U.S. military for two types of disability, namely service-connected and non-service-connected disability benefits. Non-service-connected pension is a needs-based benefit program for wartime Veterans who are age 65 or older, have limited income, or have a permanent and total non-service-connected disability. Read more about VA pension and eligibility requirements on the VA Pension Factsheet.
A service-connected disability is when a Veteran has become disabled as a result of their service in the United States military. Every Veteran applying for disability benefits through the VA needs to prove that the condition occurred during active service. At Wolf & Brown Law Offices, we often discover that clients benefit from claims that they had not thought to include in their cases and therefore do not file claims they think they are not entitled to, when in fact they are. Common types of service-connected disability claims include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Agent Orange exposure
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Musculoskeletal
The experienced VA disability attorneys at Wolf & Brown can help Veterans whose injury or illness did not necessarily occur during service but was aggravated during active duty.
- What is a “service-connected” disability?
- A “service-connected” disability is when a Veteran has become disabled as a result of their service in the United States military. Every Veteran applying for disability benefits through the VA needs to prove that the condition occurred during active service. At Wolf & Brown Law Offices, we often discover that clients benefit from claims that they had not thought to include in their cases and therefore do not file claims they think they are not entitled to, when in fact they are.
- How does the VA rate and pay Veterans with disabilities?
- The VA uses a “Schedule Rating of Disabilities” (also known as a disability rating) whereby they determine an individual’s disability based on its severity and impact on the person’s ability to perform work. The VA then uses this rating to determine the compensation amount of the Veteran’s Disability benefits.
- What does the “effective date” mean in a VA disability claim?
- The “effective date” stipulates that disability benefits are due to the Veteran from the first day of the month following the month of the effective date. For example, if you applied for benefits on October 13, 2015, and were finally awarded benefits in January 2019, benefits would be due to the Veteran from November 1, 2015, onward.
- Can I appeal the decision if the VA denies my case?
- Yes, however, it is highly recommended that you retain the services of an attorney to represent you in the appeal process. In our role as Veterans Disability benefits lawyers, we help ensure that clients meet deadlines and correctly navigate the system to their best advantage. An attorney who handles all claims of a given client gets a big picture of the person’s health that can be invaluable.
HIRING A LAWYER
- Do you need to hire a disability lawyer to win a case?
- Although you are not legally required to have representation when applying for Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, or Veterans Disability benefits, it is highly recommended. The process for obtaining benefits is complicated and technical. Most people who file an application on their own are turned down because they fail to adequately demonstrate that their disabling condition is preventing them from working. Many also make procedural errors because they are unfamiliar with navigating a complicated system. We have extensive experience in both demonstrating the effect of disabilities as well as navigating a complex system. Contact us today for a free attorney consultation.
COST & BENEFITS
- How much does it cost to hire a disability lawyer?
- Wolf & Brown offers free attorney consultations and handles Social Security Disability and Veterans Disability benefits claims on a contingency basis – this means you pay no fee unless we win. Whether you are applying for SSDI (Social Security disability), SSI (Supplemental Security Income), or Veterans Disability benefits, our attorneys will work on your case without making you pay until the case has been settled, even if that takes years! Our clients have nothing to lose, everything to gain. Contact us today for a free attorney consultation.