VA General Info and Helpful Tips on Starting Your VA Disability Claim

VETERANS HELP GROUP

Are You Filing a VA Claim for a Physical or Mental Health Condition?

Veterans who develop a mental or physical illness, such as PTSD, after serving in the US military may be entitled to receive VA disability compensation and other benefits. If you sustained an injury, you must file a VA claim and provide medical records and documents evidencing your health issues.
As a veteran, if you were disabled due to a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during your active military service, you are supposed to get suitable compensation and benefits depending on your VA disability rating.
Did you know that compensation and benefits may also be available to you for any post-service disabilities occurring in military service or presumed to be pertaining to circumstances of military service?
Besides compensation, veterans with disabilities, such as traumatic brain injury may also be eligible for insurance and housing benefits. However, you may not know how to start or file your disability claim. This is where Veterans Help Group can help.

Services-Related Disability or Injury

The US government covers disabilities and injuries, such as stress fractures, related to military service. It is worth noting that certain health conditions are deemed presumptively arising out of your military service within a particular time limit.
For example, this includes specific chronic and prisoner of war-related diseases. It also includes diseases associated with exposure to chemicals and certain herbicides. Note that this includes multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis, Lou Gehrig’s disease, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease.

Starting your VA Disability Claim

If you are disabled because of a service-related injury, you can apply for veteran’s compensation and benefits. You can apply online or through an accredited agent or representative. You can also file through your regional VA office. If you are unsure how to go about it, Veterans Help Group can help.

Your application for the claim should include separation or discharge papers, medical evidence, and Service Treatment Records (STRs).

If required, the VA will provide a medical exam or get a medical opinion. You may also need to provide evidence or proof of a relationship between your disability and military service.

When do You Need an Advocate?

In some cases, you may not need an advocate when you’re first applying for VA benefits or compensation. Note that you can depend on an agent of a veteran’s service organization in order to help you with your claim application.

However, you should consult an advocate if you don’t know how to apply or have applied for disability benefits or compensation and received a denial letter from the VA and want to file an appeal to restart the process.

The VA Disability Insurance Claims Process in Florida

Tips on Starting Your VA Disability Claim

Here are some tips for filling out your initial application for VA disability benefits.

Know the Terminology
You should know the legal terms and forms you need to fill out. For example, you must know that you have to complete a Veterans’ Application for Compensation and/or Pension, VA Form 21-526. Knowing the name of the form ahead of time will make it simpler and quicker to communicate with VA representatives.

Gather all the Forms and Documents You Need
At times, you will have to disclose some personal information, and you may not know all the information the VA requests ahead of time. This is why it is vital to get the following items and documents first:
➢ Your DD-214
➢ Marriage Certificate
➢ Social Security Cards for yourself and your spouse
➢ Death Certificate if you are filing for Widows/Widowers Pension
➢ Divorce Decrees
➢ Addresses and telephone numbers of hospitals and clinics you visit to treat your conditions

Completing Your Application
When completing your application, you should paint a complete picture of your health condition, including all your symptoms. You should also describe the full impact these symptoms have on your life. And if you have lost your job due to your disability, it is best to talk about how your income has changed as well as any financial hardships and challenges you are facing.

Review all Your Military Records
Carefully look at your service record. The information in these documents can assist in your disability claim. For instance, you should look for medical documentation for reported injuries.
Also, consider any medals and awards that depict your working conditions, like Combat Infantry Badge and Purple Heart.

Have a Thorough Understanding of Your Disability Claim
After filling out your basic detail, such as name, and address, on the form, locate where you have to list your claims and be specific about your injuries. You also have to document where you received treatment and when you were diagnosed.

Filing Your Claim
You can choose any one of three ways:
✓ You can apply online and use the VA’s VETS.GOV site
✓ Work with a reliable Veteran’s Service Organization. Keep in mind that these groups and organizations know the intricacies and complexities of dealing with the US VA and will help you ensure that your submission is correct and complete.
✓ Visit a VA regional office and have a VA rep or employee assist you.

Veteran Disability and Benefits Advocates Representing Veterans in Florida