Supporting Our Vets: Navigating Disability Benefits for Veterans

Veterans were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. If they get hurt in service, it is the country’s responsibility and duty to look after its veterans and their families. Unfortunately, obtaining what they require to go on with their lives can be complicated and time-consuming for those who have served. 

Getting what you deserve should not be this hard. Morgan & Morgan’s compassionate and experienced veteran advocates can help if you are battling to receive the medical help or disability benefits you need to go on with your life. Get started now and contact us for free advice.

Veterans’ Disability Benefits

Getting veterans’ disability benefits can involve a complex process. A veteran advocate can guide you through the process and help you obtain the disability benefits you deserve. 

Eligibility for Veterans Disability Benefits

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), basic requirements that can qualify a veteran for disability benefits include: 

• Serving on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty

AND

• Getting a disability rating for a service-related injury or condition 

In addition, to be eligible, veterans must have either:

• Suffered an injury or illness while serving

OR

• Suffered aggravation of an existing injury or illness due to serving

OR

• Developed a disability-related to active-duty that did not present until they finished active service

In many cases, veterans can struggle to provide the necessary evidence showing that their disability or condition is related to active-duty service. A veteran advocate can potentially help them prove this essential link.

Injuries That Can Qualify for VA Disability Benefits  

The veteran advocates at Morgan & Morgan have experience with helping veterans recover disability benefits for the following physical conditions as well as others:  

• Chronic back pain and back disability
• Spinal injury and paralysis
• Breathing problems from a lung condition or disease
• Amputations
• Loss of mobility or loss of range of motion
• Cancer caused by toxin exposure
• Loss of hearing or sight
• Head and brain injuries such as traumatic brain injury

You could also qualify for VA disability benefits for certain mental disorders and illnesses, including but not limited to: 

• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Anxiety
• Depression

There can be other conditions that could qualify you for VA disability benefits. If you are unsure whether your disability or condition entitles you to benefits, a veteran advocate can advise you.

A Veteran Advocate Can Help with Your Application for Benefits

Completing claims for VA assistance can feel burdensome and overwhelming. A veteran advocate can explain your rights and walk you through your options to recover benefits. They can help you prove that your injury is service-related, which is vital for your claim.

An advocate can also assist you with completing the necessary VA forms and ensure the paperwork is filled in correctly and accompanied by the relevant medical records. Your veteran advocate can also consult with medical providers to collect the necessary medical records and physician statements that complete your application.

Appealing Against Your Disability Rating

The benefits you can receive from the VA directly will depend on your disability rating. Therefore, if your disability rating is too low, you will receive inadequate disability benefits. Individuals who believe that their disability rating is too low can launch an appeal by filing a supplemental claim with their VA office. The claim has to be accompanied by new evidence that could change the disability rating decision. The VA recommends filing the claim within one year of receiving your decision letter. 

Getting your disability rating changed can be an uphill struggle and may require filing several appeals during the process. Missing a deadline or making any mistakes on the relevant forms could cause your claim to be thrown out. Consider working with an experienced veteran advocate attorney to get a fair disability rating and receive the benefits you need to go on with your life. 

A Veteran Advocate Can Help Families Access VA Benefits

If you are the spouse or child of a veteran, you could potentially recover the following benefits, among others:

• Healthcare
• Life insurance
• Fees for education and training programs
• Home loans

Survivors Benefits 

In addition to the benefits above, survivors of a deceased veteran or service member, including the spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents, could qualify for additional benefits, such as:

• A monthly survivors’ pension
• Burial costs
• Bereavement counseling
• Tax-free monetary compensation (VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation)

Benefits for Those Caring for a Veteran

If you care for a disabled veteran, you could be entitled to certain benefits and support from the VA, including but not limited to:

• A monthly payment
• Access to health benefits
• Caregiver training and education
• Mental health counseling
• Financial and travel assistance when accompanying a veteran to medical appointments
• Respite care (currently at least 30 days per year)

The application for caregiver benefits has to be completed by the veteran and the caregiver together. A veteran advocate can help you with the application to prove that you are eligible for assistance. If there are several eligible caregivers in your family, you should seek advice from one of our veteran advocates to ensure all caregivers can receive the assistance they are entitled to.

Family Members of a Veteran Can Seek Help

Applying for VA benefits can be a challenge for a veteran’s family and survivors of a deceased veteran. It can be easy to lose hope when filling in stacks of forms and waiting for months to receive a response from the VA. However, help is available. If you are a family member of a veteran and do not know where to turn for help, a veteran advocate can be there for you. If you or a loved one was already denied benefits, do not keep struggling on your own and consult with a veteran advocate at Morgan & Morgan as soon as possible.