Answering Your Questions about Veteran Benefits
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by: albert.tobega
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Many American veterans are unaware of the fact that they might be eligible to receive benefits. Some veterans feel that they do not have any reason to receive benefits and others upon being discharged would rather leave that life behind. Obtaining benefits from the VA can sometimes be a difficult and long process that sometimes does not seem worth the effort. If you are a veteran and you have a disability or injury this is something you should look into, you have earned these benefits.
Q: How do you know if you could be receiving benefits? Who, exactly, is qualified to receive them?
A: Three main components make up a veterans possible eligibility for service connected disability benefits. The first is that you must have done service with either the Army, the Navy, the Marines, the Air Force, or the US Coast Guard. Secondly, you must currently suffer from a disability which began during your years of service, or began before hand and was worsened by doing service. This could be anything from High Blood Pressure to certain types of cancers as well as many other disabilities depending on when and where you served. Third, you have to be able to connect your current disability to your time in the service.
A good illustration of this kind of injury is if you injured your knee while hiking with your some friends while on leave from active duty. Because of the injury you now need a knee replacement or surgery, even if its years later. This can be service connected because while you were in the service you had an accident, incident, or illness. Secondly, now that problem is causing pain as well as other problems which you have to be treated for.
Q: But how will receiving benefits from Veteran Affairs really help me?
A: If you are successful in being service connected for your disability you could receive a monthly benefit and you become eligible for medical care at your local VA facility. The benefit amount you will receive each month will be dependent on what percentage of your current disability is determined to be service connected.
Q: If I am currently service connected and I have hearing loss at 10% and PTSD at 30% why am I only considered 30% service connected?
A: Veteran Affairs uses a rating schedule that uses the severity of your disability to tell them what percentage service connected disability to award you. Rather than using math to determine these percentages, they use a rating chart to give you a total final percentage, or rating. These service connection percentages can be tricky to understand and if you feel that you should be receiving more benefits or a higher percentage then you should look into your disability and the severity or contact a professional that could assist you.
Q: Why does my neighbor receive 70% for the same disability that I have?
A: This is due to the fact that the VA rates everyone separately depending on the severity of their disability. It is important to remember that the VA uses a rating schedule to determining the percentage and, therefore, the amount of benefits an individual receives.
Q: Can I still work and receive VA service connected disability benefits?
A: You can. VA service connected disability benefits are not like Social security disability benefits in this respect. If you obtain benefits for a service connected disability, but are still able to work, then you are entitled to keep working and receiving benefits. Your disability benefits are not reduced or annulled if you are earning an income.
Q: Can I receive Social Security Disability benefits and VA service connected disability benefits? A: Yes. While Social Security Disability does gauge your earned income when determining your SSD benefits, your VA benefits are not considered earned income, and so will not get in the way of your SSD benefits.
Q: My husband/wife was in the service and receiving VA service connected disability benefits but they have passed. Can I receive their benefits?
A: There are benefits for surviving spouses and dependent children. Each situation is different so this is something that you should consult with a professional about.
Q: How do I file a claim?
A: Veteran Affairs has laws to follow called "Veteran Friendly Laws." It is the responsibility of Veteran Affairs to help you apply and file a disability claim, as well as take you through the benefits application process. There are Regional Offices in every state and there are organizations set up to assist the veterans at no cost to you. You can find your local VA Regional Office as well as Veterans Service Organizations on the VA website at www.va.gov.
Q: Can I hire an attorney?
A: The VA does have laws that tell attorneys when they can represent a client for a fee and when they can not. Some attorneys will represent you on a Pro Bono basis, meaning they wont charge you, and others will have you sign a Contract with a fee stipulation. If you are considering contracting a lawyer to help with your claim, it is important to contact one locally for more information about your particular case.
Q: I already get benefits for a service connected ability. Is there any other benefit I can receive?
A: This depends on your situation. If, for instance, your service connected disability has grown in severity since you began receiving benefits, you can apply for an increase in your percentage or rating, which will also increase the amount of your monthly benefits. Veteran Affairs also provides expanded benefits to those veterans who cannot work due to their service connected disability. To apply for these benefits there is a separate form that needs to be filled out and filed with the VA. If you feel you are unemployable and should be receiving higher benefits you should contact a VSO or an Attorney to answer your questions and possibly assist you in obtaining these benefits. The VA also has benefits for those individuals that are unable to care for themselves on a regular basis or those that are unable to leave their home most of the time. This type of extra benefit is called homebound compensation. If you need assistance in caring for yourself but are having trouble paying for the care you should look into this option.
Because each claim is different, getting the benefits that you are entitled to can be a complex and confusing process. The Dept. of Veteran Affairs website is full of information to help you understand what VA benefits might be available to you, and how to get them. If you are a veteran and you were injured in any way or your disabilities that you had before going into the service were aggravated in any way please look into your options. You served for our country and you may be entitled to veterans benefits.
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