RSS FeedAnswering Your Questions about Veteran Benefits
There are many veterans in our country that have no idea that they could be receiving 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. But injured or disabled veterans have a right to benefits, and so should look into the process for obtaining them.
Q: How do you know if you could be receiving benefits? Who is qualified to receive benefits?
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. There is a wide range of these sorts of disabilities, to some types of cancer, to breathing problems, to other disabilities that originated from or were affected by your service. Lastly, you need to show evidence that your current disability is connected to your military service.
An example is, if you were on leave from active duty and vacationing with your family and while skiing you fell and broke your leg or injured your knee. Today, even though many years have passed, the problem caused by that old injury is only getting worse, and you will soon need surgery to have the knee replaced. This can be service connected because while you were in the service you had an accident, incident, or illness. And in addition to the surgery, the incident has caused other problems that you need taken care of.
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 amount of your monthly benefit will depend on your percentage of service connection granted.
Q: If I am eligible for service connected benefits, and have 10% hearing loss and 30% PTSD, why are my disabilities considered only 30% connected to my military service?
A: The VA has a rating schedule that they use to determine what percentage is to be granted for each disability depending on the severity of the disability. Rather than using math to determine these percentages, they use a rating chart to give you a total final percentage, or rating. Because determining a percentage of service connection is quite complex, if you feel that the percentage awarded you is insufficient for your disability, you should speak to a professional about your options.
Q: My cousin has obtained a 65% service connection for the exact same disability I have. Why?
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 are granted service connection for a disability that is not keeping you from working then you can still work and receive benefits. The VA does not reduce your VA service connected disability benefits just because you are working and receiving an earned income.
Q: Can I obtain benefits from both Social Security Disability and the Dept. of Veteran Affairs? A: Yes. Social Security Disability does look at earned income but VA service connected disability benefits are not earned income so these benefits do not interfere with one another.
Q: My spouse, who was in the service and getting benefits from the VA for a service connected disability, has passed away. Can I receive their benefits?
A: There are benefits for surviving spouses and dependent children. However, every case is different, and you need to be sure to speak to a professional before moving forward.
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 employ a lawyer to help me?
A: Veteran Affairs has some laws that help a lawyer to know when he or she can represent you for a fee, and when he or she cannot. 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: The answer to this question will depend 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. The VA also has benefits for those veterans that are unemployable 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. These benefits are a 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. After all, you served your country in the past, and may very well be entitled to receive benefits for it today.