12 Facts You Need to Know About Filing a VA Disability Claim
I thought the information provided within this article is important and wanted to share it with my readers. I'm hoping that most, if not all,Vietnam Veterans have already filed claims for compensation -especially for those disabilities caused by Agent Orange If only one veteran can benefit from reading this article, then I've accomplished what I set out to do.
Many veterans don't want to me a VA disability claim when the leave the military. There are many misconceptions about what it means to file for VA disability compensation, what happens when the VA reviews your claim, and how it will affect veterans going forward.In this article we will discuss some myths surrounding VA benefits claims, and some of the reasons it's a good idea to file a VA disability claim when you leave the military.
Many veterans don't want to me a VA disability claim when the leave the military. There are many misconceptions about what it means to file for VA disability compensation, what happens when the VA reviews your claim, and how it will affect veterans going forward.In this article we will discuss some myths surrounding VA benefits claims, and some of the reasons it's a good idea to file a VA disability claim when you leave the military.
VA Disability Claim Myths
Here are some common reasons veterans don't want to make a VA disability claim:
Myth: I don't have a disability
This is probably the most common reason veterans don't file a disability claim. It's unfortunate that there is a stigma around the term "disability. "
A better way to look at a VA disability claim is to say, "I have a medical condition that occurred during, or was caused by, my military service. "Likewise, you can think about "disability compensation " as an insurance policy against those same medical conditions. An approved disability claim will give you access to VA medical care and a monthly disability compensation payment (for ratings 10% or higher).Filing a VA disability claim isn't milking the system - it is a way to insure your future self from potentially worse medical conditions, get the medical treatment you need, and receive monetary compensation from lost earnings potential.
Myth: Having a VA disability rating will affect my future employment options.
Many jobs require members to be in top physical condition (police,firefighters, first responders, federal agents, etc.). Some of these careers may even require the member to pass a physical fitness test or other medical screening. In almost all of these cases, the underlying medical condition and your health and fitness will determine your ability to qual for the job. The fact you have a VA disability rating generally won't impact your ability to land the job. To counter this myth, a VA disability rating may actually give you additional Veterans Preference Points for federal employment (some states may have a similar program for state job applications).
Myth: Getting VA Disability benefits will take them from someone who deserves them.
This is a noble line of thinking, but it's not true. There is no quota or maximum number of veterans who can receive VA disability benefits.The VA also places veterans into Priority Groups based on the severity of their disability ratings, economic need, and other factors. The VA is there for all veterans, not just those who have the "greatest" need. You owe it to yourself and your family to receive the care and benefits you have earned.
Myth: VA Disability Compensation benefits arean't worth that much.
I wouldn't say that. A 10% disability rating brings in $133.17 per month in disability compensation (FYI 6 rates). That may not seem like a huge amount on the surface. But this is a monthly payment that is also indexed to inflation, meaning it can increase over time.The higher your rating, the larger the monthly compensation payment.Veterans with a disability rating of 30% or greater can add dependents to their disability claim. This will increase the monthly payment for each qualified dependent. Finally, you may be able to file a new claim for an increased rating if your condition worsens.See the VA Disability Compensation Rates Table for More Information
Myth: I'm not eligible for VA disability benefits
There are several reasons why some veterans don't believe they are eligible for disability benefits. Some common misconceptions include their discharge rating , length of service, not having served during a period of war, not having been wounded in battle, or other concerns. We can address each of these topics:
Discharge Status: Veterans benefits are generally open to veterans with a discharge rating under other-than-dishonorable conditions(in other words, everything except a dishonorable discharge). This means veterans may still be eligible for disability benefits even if they have a Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD) or an Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharge (learn more about discharge upgrades).
Length of Service: Active duty veterans generally need to have active duty service beyond basic training to be eligible for disability benefits, unless the illness or injury occurred during basic training.This generally covers most veterans who served on active duty.Members of the Guard or Reserves who were only activated for training purposes should contact the VA for a records review to determine eligibility.
Period of Service: Veterans may be eligible for disability benefits regardless of the period in which they served. Disability benefits are not limited to those who served in battle or during a time or war. (note: Some other VA benefits programs, such as the Veterans Pension Benefit may require war time service.Disability benefits do not.)
I wasn't wounded in battle: As noted above, no service during war is required to be eligible for disability compensation benefits.
Myth:My illness / injury isn 't bad. There is no need to file a disability claim.
Everything is fine-until it isn't. Injuries and illnesses can get worse as we age. This is likely to be the healthiest period of your life. File a disability claim if you have an illness or injury that occurred while in the military. Even if the condition is minor, establishing a service-connection is the first step in having your disability claim approved. The sooner you make your claim, the easier it is to establish a connection to your military service.
Note about 0% disability ratings: it is possible to receive a O%disability rating. This occurs when the VA acknowledges there is an illness or injury connected to your military service. This is still considered a valid disability rating and if the condition worsens, you can file a new claim requesting the rating be increased.
Myth: It's too late to file a disability claim - I left active duty years ago!
There is no timeline to me a disability claim for a service-connected disability. However, it's generally much easier to file a claim shortly after leaving the military. This is because you need to establish a connection to your illness or injury and your military service. This is generally easier when done shortly after leaving the military.However, some illnesses and injuries don't occur until years after leaving military service. This is something that has received national attention in recent years as many veterans from the Korean and Vietnam War eras have been diagnosed with cancers and other medical conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure. Other exposure hazards include mustard gas, asbestos, ionizing radiation, Project 112/SHAD (chemical tests to defend against biological and chemical weapons threats), and Radiogenic Risk Activities. You can learn more about these chemical exposure.
In these cases, it can take years or even decades before symptoms occur.Remember, there is no time limit to file a claim! Here is an article from a veteran who filed VA disability claims several years after separating from active duty.
Myth: If I'm awarded a VA disability rating I will have to use the VA medical system for health care.
The VA doesn't require veterans to enroll in the VA health care system if they are eligible for health care. You also aren't required to use the VA medical system if you do enroll.
Myth: I don't have a disability
This is probably the most common reason veterans don't file a disability claim. It's unfortunate that there is a stigma around the term "disability. "
A better way to look at a VA disability claim is to say, "I have a medical condition that occurred during, or was caused by, my military service. "Likewise, you can think about "disability compensation " as an insurance policy against those same medical conditions. An approved disability claim will give you access to VA medical care and a monthly disability compensation payment (for ratings 10% or higher).Filing a VA disability claim isn't milking the system - it is a way to insure your future self from potentially worse medical conditions, get the medical treatment you need, and receive monetary compensation from lost earnings potential.
Myth: Having a VA disability rating will affect my future employment options.
Many jobs require members to be in top physical condition (police,firefighters, first responders, federal agents, etc.). Some of these careers may even require the member to pass a physical fitness test or other medical screening. In almost all of these cases, the underlying medical condition and your health and fitness will determine your ability to qual for the job. The fact you have a VA disability rating generally won't impact your ability to land the job. To counter this myth, a VA disability rating may actually give you additional Veterans Preference Points for federal employment (some states may have a similar program for state job applications).
Myth: Getting VA Disability benefits will take them from someone who deserves them.
This is a noble line of thinking, but it's not true. There is no quota or maximum number of veterans who can receive VA disability benefits.The VA also places veterans into Priority Groups based on the severity of their disability ratings, economic need, and other factors. The VA is there for all veterans, not just those who have the "greatest" need. You owe it to yourself and your family to receive the care and benefits you have earned.
Myth: VA Disability Compensation benefits arean't worth that much.
I wouldn't say that. A 10% disability rating brings in $133.17 per month in disability compensation (FYI 6 rates). That may not seem like a huge amount on the surface. But this is a monthly payment that is also indexed to inflation, meaning it can increase over time.The higher your rating, the larger the monthly compensation payment.Veterans with a disability rating of 30% or greater can add dependents to their disability claim. This will increase the monthly payment for each qualified dependent. Finally, you may be able to file a new claim for an increased rating if your condition worsens.See the VA Disability Compensation Rates Table for More Information
Myth: I'm not eligible for VA disability benefits
There are several reasons why some veterans don't believe they are eligible for disability benefits. Some common misconceptions include their discharge rating , length of service, not having served during a period of war, not having been wounded in battle, or other concerns. We can address each of these topics:
Discharge Status: Veterans benefits are generally open to veterans with a discharge rating under other-than-dishonorable conditions(in other words, everything except a dishonorable discharge). This means veterans may still be eligible for disability benefits even if they have a Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD) or an Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharge (learn more about discharge upgrades).
Length of Service: Active duty veterans generally need to have active duty service beyond basic training to be eligible for disability benefits, unless the illness or injury occurred during basic training.This generally covers most veterans who served on active duty.Members of the Guard or Reserves who were only activated for training purposes should contact the VA for a records review to determine eligibility.
Period of Service: Veterans may be eligible for disability benefits regardless of the period in which they served. Disability benefits are not limited to those who served in battle or during a time or war. (note: Some other VA benefits programs, such as the Veterans Pension Benefit may require war time service.Disability benefits do not.)
I wasn't wounded in battle: As noted above, no service during war is required to be eligible for disability compensation benefits.
Myth:My illness / injury isn 't bad. There is no need to file a disability claim.
Everything is fine-until it isn't. Injuries and illnesses can get worse as we age. This is likely to be the healthiest period of your life. File a disability claim if you have an illness or injury that occurred while in the military. Even if the condition is minor, establishing a service-connection is the first step in having your disability claim approved. The sooner you make your claim, the easier it is to establish a connection to your military service.
Note about 0% disability ratings: it is possible to receive a O%disability rating. This occurs when the VA acknowledges there is an illness or injury connected to your military service. This is still considered a valid disability rating and if the condition worsens, you can file a new claim requesting the rating be increased.
Myth: It's too late to file a disability claim - I left active duty years ago!
There is no timeline to me a disability claim for a service-connected disability. However, it's generally much easier to file a claim shortly after leaving the military. This is because you need to establish a connection to your illness or injury and your military service. This is generally easier when done shortly after leaving the military.However, some illnesses and injuries don't occur until years after leaving military service. This is something that has received national attention in recent years as many veterans from the Korean and Vietnam War eras have been diagnosed with cancers and other medical conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure. Other exposure hazards include mustard gas, asbestos, ionizing radiation, Project 112/SHAD (chemical tests to defend against biological and chemical weapons threats), and Radiogenic Risk Activities. You can learn more about these chemical exposure.
In these cases, it can take years or even decades before symptoms occur.Remember, there is no time limit to file a claim! Here is an article from a veteran who filed VA disability claims several years after separating from active duty.
- How NOT to do it: Applying for VA disability years after military separation.
Myth: If I'm awarded a VA disability rating I will have to use the VA medical system for health care.
The VA doesn't require veterans to enroll in the VA health care system if they are eligible for health care. You also aren't required to use the VA medical system if you do enroll.