Why Did My Va Claim Skip Review of Evidence
Quondam armed forces members who incurred injuries that prevent them from performing at their best take a contractual right to compensation for those injuries.
Veterans who are injured may have to settle for a job that pays less or a job in a field they don't enjoy. Veteran inability compensation fills financial gaps and so veterans tin can take care of themselves and their families while living with a service-connected illness or injury.
There are many benefits to VA compensation, other than just the cash compensation.
Get-go, the money is tax-costless, so veterans who qualify for retirement tin take VA compensation instead and relieve on taxes.
In some cases, veterans tin can get both retired pay and VA bounty.
A inability condition can also save you money on tolls, belongings taxes or other state programs and fees.
Veterans who qualify for VA loans can save money on the VA funding fee if they accept a inability rating.
Disability compensation may also provide schoolhouse benefits to cover education for themselves or their families.
All those pennies add together up.
But first, the VA needs to connect your status to your war machine service and provide a rating.
Table of Contents
- Eligibility Requirements for VA Inability Bounty
- How to Prepare Earlier Filing a VA Inability Claim
- Document and Save Everything
- Ask for Your Records and Review Them
- Achieve Out to Your Family and Friends.
- Review Your Military Records
- Enquiry VA Inability Criteria
- Ways to Apply for VA Inability Benefits
- Steps to File a VA Disability Claim
- Submit an Intent to File (if Applicable)
- Submit Medical Evidence and Service Records
- Verify if Boosted Documentation is Needed
- Complete and Submit Your Awarding
- Track Your VA Inability Claim Condition
- How to File an Additional VA Inability Claim
- How Long Practice I Have to File a VA Disability Claim?
- Filing a VA Claim Before Leaving the Armed services
- Filing a VA Claim When You Get out the Service
- Filing a VA Claim After Leaving the Service
- Can I File a VA Claim Myself?
- Who Can Help Me File a Claim for VA Disability?
- How Long Does It Take the VA to Process My Claim?
- What to Do if Your VA Disability Claim is Denied
- Top VA Disability Claims
- Common Mistakes to Avert When Filing a VA Disability Claim
Eligibility Requirements for VA Inability Compensation
If yous became sick, injured or began to experience mental health difficulties because of active duty, agile duty for grooming or inactive duty training, you may be eligible for VA disability compensation.
Pre-existing conditions that became worse during your service may also qualify for compensation.
Some conditions, such every bit tinnitus and hearing loss, may have appeared years subsequently you lot left the armed forces but still qualify for VA benefits.
In any of the higher up cases, you must be able to link your status to your service.
How to Gear up Earlier Filing a VA Disability Claim
You'll need to gather all your medical evidence and related service records before you file a VA disability claim.
Some of the post-obit steps may not apply to you, depending on your service condition.
Document and Save Everything
If you are even so in the military, report everything to your doctor.
If y'all're concerned that the war machine medical community may footing you (or even disqualify you), and then at least take care of your health with a civilian md (and get a copy of those records).
Document injuries, ailments, exposure to hazardous substances or environments, whatever treatments you receive and their impact on your life or ability to practise your job. Keep rail of temporary duty travel and deployment dates and locations too. You volition need lots of supporting evidence for your claim.
Ask for Your Records and Review Them
You need to request your medical records and review them.
Beginning by tracking downward whatsoever records from noncombatant medical providers that are related to injuries or illnesses you intend to claim. The VA should exist able to access your armed forces records.
If y'all've been seen at a VA medical facility, the VA benefits division will take access to those records. Just tell the Veterans Benefits Assistants which VA medical facility has the records.
Wait at your medications list and what injuries have been documented.
Pay special attending to what diagnoses you lot have on paper. If your medical record is inaccurate or just plain incorrect, you lot'll need to fix it.
For instance, if a dr. told y'all that you lot slipped a disk, but your diagnosis just says "back pain," you lot may need to go back and become your diagnosis put on paper.
You can as well request an examination by a unlike doctor who could help reconstruct the events leading to your current condition on paper.
Reach Out to Your Family and Friends.
If something occurred that is not officially documented, a supporting statement from someone who knew almost your condition tin go a long way.
You can ask for summaries or "buddy statements" from friends or coworkers who were with you when you sought medical advice, or observed a status'due south touch on your life.
The VA reviews buddy statements every bit prove when records are limited or when y'all're several years mail service service.
For example:
- Your roommates in the service constantly complained about how yous'd started snoring, and now you've been diagnosed with slumber apnea.
- A young man soldier witnessed you fall on your articulatio genus in physical training.
- You wrote a letter or email to your mom about having no ear protection during an exercise. A few years later yous found out that you can't hear likewise.
Review Your Military machine Records
Look at what'southward in your service record. This information can likewise assist in your claim. Look for documentation for reported injuries, medals or awards that show your working atmospheric condition (such as Combat Infantry Bluecoat, Regal Heart, parachutist badge, etc.), your MOS, rating or specialty and whatever additional duties or jobs y'all performed.
The bottom line is that you need evidence on paper. Without that, yous're wasting your time with the VA.
Research VA Disability Criteria
Make certain you read and understand the VA's disability benefits questionnaires. These can help you determine if the VA considers your condition to be disabling.
Pay attention to presumptive conditions associated with your period of service.
For example, the VA presumes that Vietnam veterans may take had Agent Orangish exposure. Gulf War veterans may have been exposed to called-for oil wells. Navy engineers may have had asbestos exposure from steam-pipe lagging. Submariners might have been exposed to radiation.
If y'all're experiencing symptoms or conditions connected to these exposures you should report it to the VA.
Funny Math:
How the VA Calculates Combined Disability Ratings
Ways to Apply for VA Disability Benefits
You volition need to complete VA Class 21-526EZ, "Application for Inability Compensation and Related Bounty Benefit" and submit it with all applicable evidence and records.
You tin practise it in 1 of the post-obit ways.
- Online: The easiest way to submit a claim is to sign into your VA.gov account and apply online.
- By mail: You tin can as well submit information technology past mail. Print off the form and all supporting documents and transport to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444
- In person: Visit a VA regional office nearly you and submit your documents in person.
Steps to File a VA Disability Claim
Submit an Intent to File (if Applicative)
If you are applying for a inability claim by mail or in person, notifying the VA of your intent is the starting time stride.
You tin can visit a VA regional office nigh yous and do it in person or phone call them at 800-827-thousand.
You can also complete VA Form 21-0966, Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/or Pension or Survivors Pension and/or DIC, and post it to the address above.
If you are applying for a VA disability claim online, clicking on the push button to first the process serves every bit submitting your intent to file.
Even so you contact the VA about your intent to file, brand sure you annotation the appointment.
Yous have i year from that date to submit your claim. If you receive disability compensation for your claim, the VA may backdate your benefits to the date you submitted your intent to file.
Submit Medical Evidence and Service Records
You'll include your DD-214 to prove your dates of service and the character of your discharge.
Some VA benefits, including compensation amounts, are linked to your family status. so you should include your wedlock certificate (fifty-fifty if you're married to another military machine veteran) and nascence certificates for any pocket-sized children who you're still financially supporting.
You'll too include copies of all the medical evidence that you've been tracking downwards, such every bit doctor'southward reports, X-rays and medical exam results).
Yous can give the VA permission to gather this prove for you. Nevertheless, y'all retain much more control over the process if y'all do it yourself. You'll too get your results faster because you've done the VA'due south ground work for them.
Verify if Additional Documentation is Needed
You may need to submit additional forms or statements.
For example, if you lot are a National Guard or Reserve member, you'll need to submit all your service, medical and personnel records from your unit.
Certain disability claims have additional requirements.
These include:
- Mail-traumatic stress syndrome
- Auto allowances or an machine adaptive-equipment grants
- Assist and Attendance for nursing dwelling house intendance
You can notice the full list on the VA website.
Complete and Submit Your Awarding
Complete all sections of your VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Inability Compensation and related Compensation Benefits. Brand sure that you have retained copies of this form and any supporting documents you include.
Finally, submit your claim. (After all the record-gathering and enquiry, filing the claim is admittedly anticlimactic).
Rails Your VA Disability Claim Status
Now that your merits has been filed, you lot can rail it with your eBenefits account. The VA will update your dashboard with the condition of your merits and whatever messages they need to transport to you. This may include requests for boosted information.
Yous may also exist contacted past telephone or mail service if you are required to have a VA claim exam, also known as a compensation and pension (C&P) exam.
While you lot're on your eBenefits account, add your bank account information then that the VA can distribute your compensation (if whatsoever) past directly deposit.
How to File an Additional VA Disability Claim
Your claims process isn't necessarily over in one case the VA confirms your disability is service-connected.
You may desire to file 1 of these boosted VA disability claims under sure circumstances:
- Increased merits to increase your disability rating or financial support
- New claim for additional benefits, such as a shift to private unemployability condition
- Secondary service-connected inability claim if you develop a new condition that is linked to an existing service-connected disability, such as heart affliction caused by high blood pressure
- Special claim for special needs, such every bit a specially equipped vehicle
You'd brand these claims in the aforementioned manner as your original claim.
Consummate an application for inability compensation and related compensation benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ) and submit it online, in person or past mail, along with the required medical evidence.
How Long Do I Have to File a VA Disability Claim?
There is no borderline to file a VA inability claim, simply the process can become more difficult equally time passes and may take longer.
Your service status or separation date can as well impact your effective date, which is the engagement you lot'll begin receiving compensation (or back-payment).
Filing a VA Claim Earlier Leaving the Military
You can file up to 180 days before discharge. Even if it's a disability that is not bothering y'all now, you can at least become a 0% service-connected disability rating if you have a diagnosis.
Doing this now makes it easier to file for an increase later if your condition worsens (instead of filing a whole new merits to convince the VA that the injury happened in service).
Filing a VA Merits When You Leave the Service
When you're leaving the service, start your VA disability claim in conjunction with your separation concrete.
It'south much easier to do it in parallel with your physical, and information technology's the best time to document whatsoever "service-connected" inability. Even if y'all feel disgustingly healthy, file the claim now for anything you have a diagnosis for so that it's on the record if a surprise pops up later on.
Filing a VA Merits After Leaving the Service
If you've already separated yet haven't filed a VA disability merits nonetheless, then start i at present so that your loved ones won't ever have to practice it for you.
Even if the VA decides that yous're 0% disabled, yous've done the hard work so that the VA can upgrade your rating later if yous begin to experience a debilitating status.
Tin can I File a VA Claim Myself?
You tin file a claim on your own, merely the process is time-consuming and complicated.
At that place are individuals who have training and experience filing disability claims who tin can assist you with the process and aid yous avoid common mistakes that could delay your claim or result in a less beneficial outcome for your merits.
Who Can Aid Me File a Merits for VA Inability?
If y'all need assistance filing a disability claim, contact a VA regional function and ask to speak to a counselor.
To find the nearest regional office, call 800-827-one thousand.
Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) tin assistance and are gratuitous. Many are also VA-accredited.
The VA website can help you find a VSO representative to assist you with your claim.
Here is their exhaustive list of Veteran Service Organizations. There are also land and county VSO reps you lot can encounter on this site or this one. Take the time to observe i who is the right fit for you.
If you don't want to utilise a free VSO and yous have the money to spend, you can choose to rent a VA disability lawyer to assist you lot with your claim. This may exist a good selection if your case is very circuitous, if your initial claim didn't get well or if y'all're concerned almost the appeal. Make sure that your lawyer has specialized knowledge and experience in the area of VA disability claims.
How Long Does It Have the VA to Process My Claim?
The VA will let y'all know once they receive your merits. Then, they'll gather and review show from you and your health care providers and brand a decision. Once they've decided, they'll mail service you lot a merits notification packet.
According to the VA, this process volition take approximately 156 days for a new claim.
If you submit a supplemental claim, the VA should notify y'all of their decision within 125 days.
VA Reexamination Notices:
Can the VA Reduce Your Inability Benefits?
What to Practise if Your VA Inability Merits is Denied
You lot have limited time to entreatment a denied claim and maintain your initial effective appointment. If the VA denies your claim, file the advisable entreatment within the time allotted – one year in most cases.
There are several types of entreatment options. Here are the principal iii:
- File a supplemental claim. If you lot have new, relevant evidence, you lot can file a supplemental claim at whatever time. It's preferable to file within a year of the original decision.
- Higher-level review. You have 1 twelvemonth from the appointment of the decision letter to asking that a senior reviewer go over your request. You cannot submit new evidence, simply you can speak with the reviewer past phone to highlight whatsoever errors.
- Board appeal. A Veterans Police force Estimate at the Board of Veterans' Appeals in Washington, D.C. will review your inability claim. With this option, you have three additional choices to make about how your appeal will be handled: Direct review, submit more than prove or request a hearing.
Height VA Inability Claims
Co-ordinate to the Veterans Benefits Administration's Benefits Report for 2020, the tiptop 10 VA disability claims were:
- Tinnitus
- Hearing loss
- Limitation of flexion, knee joint
- Mail service-traumatic stress disorder
- Lumbosacral or cervical strain
- Scars, general
- Paralysis of the sciatic nervus
- Limitation of move of the ankle
- Migraine
- Limitation of motion of the arm
Other common inability claims include sleep apnea, hypertensive vascular illness, degenerative arthritis of the spine and diabetes mellitus.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a VA Disability Claim
- Thinking yous don't deserve it. VA disability compensation is not clemency. It's a benefit. If you take a qualifying service-related disability, you have earned disability compensation. Don't exist embarrassed to accept something that could brand your life easier. Y'all never know what the futurity holds.
- Non understanding the value of VA benefits. It's not just almost the compensation. You are potentially eligible for a host of other veterans' benefits, including vocational rehabilitation, medical care, didactics and reduced fees on VA loans.
- Existence tough. When it comes to filing a VA inability claim, if information technology'south not in your records, information technology didn't happen (with some exceptions). Go see a medico (not-VA if necessary). Don't minimize your symptoms, and don't avoid handling.
- Not including secondary medical atmospheric condition. These are more common than you might think. Make sure you are communicating with your doctor nigh all of your symptoms. They may be able to brainwash y'all about what additional conditions may outcome from existing main medical atmospheric condition. Yous may be eligible for boosted bounty for secondary conditions.
- Not keeping copies of all your records. If this applies to you, you lot will need to rails downwards all your medical and military records to back your claim. One time your claim is complete, request a re-create of your claims file (the C-file) from the VA.
- Waiting until the last minute to request your records. You may be waiting on these records for several months.
- Missing deadlines: The VA is unforgiving if yous are even one day late on your merits. If y'all don't submit your merits within a year of notifying them of your intent to file, you will need to start over. If you miss the deadline for an appeal, you lot may non be able to file 1.
Military Guide to Financial Independence
This book provides servicemembers, veterans, and their families with a disquisitional roadmap for becoming financially independent. Topics include:
- Military alimony
- TSP
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Source: https://themilitarywallet.com/file-va-disability-claim/
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