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The No. 1 Question Everybody Working In Veterans Disability Lawyer Should Be Able To Answer

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  • Sherrie Knight 작성
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How to File a Veterans Disability Claim

A veteran's disability claim is an important component of his or her benefit application. Many veterans earn tax-free earnings when their claims are granted.

It's not a secret that VA is behind in processing disability claims of veterans. A decision can take months or even years.

Aggravation

A veteran could be eligible to receive compensation for disability due to a condition caused by their military service. This kind of claim is known as an aggravated disability and can be either physical or mental. A licensed VA lawyer can assist the former service member submit an aggravated claim. A claimant must prove through medical evidence or independent opinions that their pre-service medical condition was made worse by active duty.

Typically the most effective method to prove that a pre-service issue was aggravated is to get an independent medical opinion from an expert doctor who is specialized in the condition of the veteran. In addition to the physician's statement, the veteran is required to submit medical records as well as statements from family members or friends who can attest to their pre-service condition.

When a claim for disability benefits from veterans it is important to be aware that the condition being aggravated has to differ from the original disability rating. A disability attorney can advise the former service member on how they can provide enough medical evidence and testimony to establish that their original condition was not only caused by military service, but was worse than it would have been without the aggravating factor.

In order to address this issue VA proposes to re-align the two "aggravation" standards in its regulations - 38 CFR 3.306 and 3.310. The difference in the wording of these provisions has created confusion and disagreement regarding the claims process. The inconsistent use of words such as "increased disability" and "any increased severity" have been the root of litigation.

Service-Connected Conditions

To be eligible for benefits a veteran must prove that their health or disability was caused by service. This is known as "service connection." For some diseases, such as Ischemic heart disease or other cardiovascular diseases that arise due to specific service-connected amputations, a service connection is automatically granted. For other conditions, like PTSD veterans have to present the evidence of laypeople or people who were close to them in the military, in order to connect their illness to a specific incident that took place during their service.

A pre-existing medical condition could be service-related in the case that it was aggravated due to active duty service, and not the natural progression of disease. It is best to provide a doctor's report that explains that the aggravation of the condition was due to service, not just the natural progress of the disease.

Certain illnesses and injuries may be thought to be caused or aggravated by treatment. They are known as "presumptive diseases." This includes exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam and Korea veterans and radiation exposure among Prisoners of War, as well as other Gulf War conditions. Some chronic diseases and tropical diseases are thought to be aggravated or caused by service. This includes AL amyloidosis and various acneform illnesses, Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, Multiple Sclerosis Tuberculosis and Diabetes Mellitus Type 2. For more information on these probable conditions, click here.

Appeal

The VA has a procedure to appeal their decision to grant or deny benefits. The first step is to make a notice of disagreement. Your VA-accredited attorney will likely file this on your behalf but if not, you can file it yourself. This form is used by the VA to inform them that you do not agree with their decision, and would like a more thorough review of your case.

There are two options for an upscale review, both of which you should consider carefully. One is to request a personal hearing with the Decision Review Officer in your regional office. The DRO will conduct a de novo review (no deference to the earlier decision) and either overturn or uphold the earlier decision. You may be able or not required to submit a new proof. Another option is to request an interview with a veterans disability lawyers Law Judge from the Board of Veterans' Appeals in Washington, D.C.

There are many factors that go into choosing the best lane for your appeal, and it is important to discuss these issues with your VA-accredited attorney. They will have experience in this area and will know what makes the most sense for your particular case. They are also aware of the challenges that disabled veterans face and can be more effective advocates for you.

Time Limits

You can claim compensation if you have a disability that was acquired or worsened in the course of serving in the military. However, you'll need to be patient during the process of reviewing and deciding on your application. You may have to wait up to 180 calendar days after filing your claim to receive an answer.

There are many variables that can affect how long the VA takes to make an assessment of your claim. The amount of evidence you provide will play a big role in the speed at which your claim is reviewed. The location of the field office that is responsible for your claim will also impact the time it takes for the VA to review your claim.

The frequency you check in with the VA regarding the status of your claim could also affect the time it takes to process. You can accelerate the process by providing evidence whenever you can and by providing specific address details for the medical facilities you utilize, and providing any requested information when it becomes available.

You could request a higher-level review if you believe the decision based on your disability was unjust. You'll need to provide all the facts regarding your case to an experienced reviewer who will determine whether there an error in the original decision. This review does not include any new evidence.

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