Veteran Benefits Q and A
09/03/09
Many American veterans are unaware of the fact that they might be eligible to receive benefits. While some feel like leaving the past behind them, so to speak, others do not even realize that there may be reason for them to receive benefits. 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 veteran's 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. 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. And in addition to the surgery, the incident has caused other problems that you need taken care of.
Q: Why should I obtain VA service connected disability benefits, how will it help me?
A: Like this: if you do obtain benefits, you can receive monthly monetary benefits, as well as eligibility to use the VA hospital and medical facilities. The amount of your monthly benefit will depend on your percentage of service connection granted.
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. They also use a rating chart to total your percentage of service connection, they do not use mathematical terms. 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: 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. Again, there is a rating schedule that determines the amount of benefit and the percentage of service connection that each person receives.
Q: If I work at Veteran Affairs, can I still receive disability benefits for my time in service?
A: You can. Unlike with Social Security Disability, the disability benefits you obtain from Veteran Affairs are not affected by working. 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 obtain benefits from both Social Security Disability and the Dept. of Veteran Affairs? A: You can. 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 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 apply for benefits?
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. To locate your local Veteran Affairs Regional Office and any local Veteran Service Organizations, visit the Veteran Affairs 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. You can find some lawyers who will represent you for free, or Pro Bono, and others who will require you to sign a contract promising payment for their services. You should contact a local attorney's office for more information and specifics regarding your claim.
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 you have a service connected disability and it has gotten worse, you can request for an increase in your rating which would result in higher benefits if a higher rating is granted. 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. Veteran Affairs also provides additional benefits to those veterans who, due to their service connected disability, are mostly homebound and cannot care for themselves. This type of extra benefit is called homebound compensation. This is an option to consider if you feel you need assistance to care for yourself.
Because each claim is different, getting the benefits that you are entitled to can be a complex and confusing process. The VA's website has a lot of information on what kind of benefits there are beyond disability benefits and what you can do to receive these benefits. 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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