How to Qualify For Veterans Disability Compensation You could be qualified for compensation if are a veteran who has been afflicted with a disability because of illness or injury sustained during military service. The process can be complex. It is recommended that you submit your claims documents as soon as you can. VA requires time to be reviewed and to determine an assessment. Service-Connected Disabilities Service-connected disabilities are those that are incurred or aggravated while in military service. They include physical health issues such as chronic knee injuries and Lou Gehrig's disease, as well as mental health issues such as PTSD. These include chronic skin conditions that require frequent VA visits for special ointments or appliances. Veterans of this type are usually eligible for compensation and services. This includes free healthcare, prescription drugs and other benefits. In order to prove the connection between service and an individual veteran must provide an evidence-based medical record that clearly links their medical condition to their time in the military. This is typically based on service treatment records. However independent medical opinions as well as a an nexus document can also help. The VA uses a rating schedule that is based on Congressional law to determine which conditions are eligible for compensation and at what percentage. In general, the higher the disability rating and the higher the benefits will be available. A 100% permanent and total disability rating is the most prestigious rating, meaning that a veteran can't follow any type of job that is lucrative. If they have a rating this high can be eligible for additional monthly benefits, known as Aid and Attendance. This allows a veteran with disabilities or their survivor spouse to receive assistance in everyday activities like dressing, bathing, and feeding, cleaning and attending to nature's needs. This can include arranging transportation and making modifications to the home to make the house more accessible. Permanent disabilities and total For many Veterans for many, a VA determination of disability is an essential lifeline. The extra income from a disability check is tax free and therefore very cost-effective and extremely useful. It may not cover your mortgage, but it can get food on the dinner table and send your kids to college. It can be the difference between having a home and a car. After a claim from a veteran has been accepted at the Regional Office level, they are mailed an Assessment Decision. The Rating Decision outlines the veteran's service-related ailments and assigns a rating to each. In some instances it is possible to rate a condition 100%, while multiple conditions could be combined to give a rating of Total Disabled Unemployment (TDIU). TDIU means that the cumulative effects of all your ailments hinder you from retaining a substantial amount of job, and it's permanent designation. If you have an TDIU rating You can request it be upgraded to a total and permanent rating by submitting a claim for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). The VA provides this benefit to veterans who are completely and permanently disabled as a result of an amputation, loss of organs or body part use or the combination of both. This is a permanent distinction however, the C&P examiner is able to reduce the rating if they believe that your impairment has improved or may improve in the future. Service-Related Disabilities Many veterans suffer from illnesses that have a significant impact on their ability to lead an active and productive life. They are afflicted with chronic pain, mental issues (like PTSD), and injuries. Disability compensation is a way to help veterans deal with the financial burden of these conditions. These issues can be serious and last a long time. The VA utilizes an assessment system for disabilities to determine their extent of the disability and calculate benefit amounts. The ratings range between zero and 100 percent with higher percentages representing greater levels of disabilities. The rating is based on many factors, including the impact the illness or injury impacts the veteran's daily life and lifestyle. In some cases, veterans may be able to show direct service connection to their impairment. If there is proof that the injury or illness occurred during military service, then a traumatic head injury or paralysis may be considered as a direct service connection. Certain conditions, like depression, tinnitus or anxiety disorders may be considered secondary conditions, and not directly connected to military service. Veterans should submit as many medical records and other documents as they can to be eligible for benefits. This could include private medical records and service treatment records. A County Veterans Service Office, or Veterans Service Representative, can help speed up the process of filing claims. It is essential to make your dates of treatment as precisely as you can and provide the requested information as soon as possible to the VA. PTSD If you've been through a traumatizing event, it can have lasting effects on your body and mind. It can result in nightmares and flashbacks. It can also cause problems with concentration at school or work, feelings of terror and anxiety, and a loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy. It can also lead to anxiety or depression, and could result in addiction to substances, especially among teens and young adults. There are effective treatments for PTSD. They can assist you in getting your life back on track and help reduce the symptoms. The majority of them involve psychological treatments such as counseling or talk therapy however, medications can also be used. Research on PTSD suggests that it's not just a result of trauma, but also due to changes in brain functioning. It can also be aggravated by personal and environmental triggers such as living in the war zone or having a history of mental illness. Mental health issues like PTSD are considered "high value" claims by VA because they are more difficult to prove using medical evidence than conditions like neurological, skin or auditory issues. Veterans with disabling mental conditions are more likely to be awarded an impairment rating of more than 30 percent than those who don't.