If you’ve fallen ill or sustained an injury during your military service, or if your pre-existing condition has worsened due to the same, you could be eligible for disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is a tax-free, monthly monetary support provided to Veterans who developed physical or mental health issues before, during, or after serving in the military.
To avail this benefit, Veterans need to submit a disability claim with the VA. We are committed to assist you through the process and provide you with the benefits you deserve. First, verify your eligibility by visiting VA.gov/disability/eligibility.
Eligibility Criteria Veterans Affairs
To be eligible for the Veterans Affairs benefit you must meet the following criteria:
These two have to be accurate:
- You were on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training, and you currently suffer from a disease or injury (referred to as a condition) that impairs your body or mind.
And one of these needs to be true at least:
- If you are able to establish a connection between your sickness or injury and your military service, you can file an in-service disability claim.
- You filed a pre-service disability claim if you were ill or injured prior to enlisting in the military and it got worse while you were serving, or
- You have a post-service disability claim, which is a handicap resulting from your active-duty service that first became apparent after you left the military.
Presumptive circumstances
We “presume” (or automatically assume) that certain situations were brought on by your service. These are known as presumed conditions. You do not required to provide evidence that your service was the cause of your presumed condition. All you have to do is fulfill the presumption’s service standards.
Once your eligibility is affirmed, the following steps should be followed:
Documentation
Organize all the necessary documents required for the claim, including any relevant evidence (https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/evidence-needed/). The nature of the required documents may change based on the type of claim you wish to file. Click here if you don’t have an account.
File Your Disability Claim
The disability claim can be filed online, directly in person, or via mail. You can begin the online application process at any time on https://www.va.gov/disability/file-disability-claim-form-21-526ez/introduction. This application needs to be submitted within a year from its initiation.
Additional Evidence
If your disability compensation claim is under review, you may continue submitting supplementary evidence like medical test results, doctor’s reports, and other pertinent documents.
Compensation & Pension Exam
Upon receiving your claim, the VA might organize a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. The details regarding the exam including its date, time, and location will be communicated to you by the VA directly.
Claim Review and Status
Your claim will be reviewed after your examination is conducted. You can track the status of your claim on VA.gov. Once the review is completed, a letter detailing the decision on your claim will be compiled and sent to you.
Post Decision Actions
If you disagree with the decision, you can opt for a review. The options available for the review process will be provided in your notification letter.
Disability Benefit Payment
If your claim for the disability benefit is approved, an effective payment date will be provided. The benefits or payment will be determined by the nature of your claim and the type of benefit applied for.
For assistance anytime during this process, feel free to call VA at 800-827-1000. It might also be helpful to engage an accredited representative to guide you through the filing process. Visit VA.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim for comprehensive information on eligibility, evidence and documentation, filing a claim, or obtaining help in filing a claim.