VA disability benefits provide a critical financial lifeline for veterans who have been injured in the line of duty. The process of obtaining these benefits can be lengthy, however, and may leave you with difficult questions, such as: “How does the VA evaluate my claim?” and “What evidence do I need for a successful claim?”
The Two Keys to a Successful Claim
While there are many steps in a VA disability claim and significant documentation claimants need to compile, two factors rise above all others in importance. In order to be approved for disability benefits, you must demonstrate to the VA that:
- You suffer from a physical or mental health impairment that makes it difficult or impossible to perform everyday tasks, including working for a living.
- Your disability was caused or aggravated by an event, injury, or illness that occurred during your military service.
In some cases, these facts are relatively easy to demonstrate, but in others the evidence may be more elusive. This has nothing to do with the severity of your disability. Sometimes, facts and evidence are not as readily available, and some disabilities are more difficult to prove than others. This does not mean you should lose hope for a successful claim. It may simply mean you need an experienced ally to gather all available evidence and present it to the VA in the most compelling possible light.
The Critical Role of Medical Evidence
No matter how real, frustrating, and painful your disability is, VA evaluators cannot approve claims based on your word alone. They need to see proof of a serious physical or mental health disability that is holding you back from working. How can you establish that proof?
At a minimum, you must submit the following along with your VA disability claim:
- Separation documents such as your DD214
- Records of treatment you received during military service
- Documentation of treatment of your disabling condition, which may include doctor’s reports, diagnoses, medication lists, X-rays, MRIs, and CT-scans
Certain disabilities hold you back in different ways. If you suffer from a physical injury, for instance, it may prevent you from standing, sitting, stooping, or performing other essential job functions.
Mental health impairments such as PTSD come with their own disabling conditions, such as being unable to concentrate or interact with others.
As the VA evaluates your claim, they will be looking for medical evidence that supports the fact that your disability prevents you from holding employment. The more substantial and credible evidence you can provide, the better chance you have at obtaining a successful result.
Establishing a Crucial Link
The second key factor in how the VA evaluates disability claims is linking your medical condition to your military service. This does not mean you had to have been injured in combat. There are many ways in which a military service member can become disabled in the line of duty. Some examples include:
- Exposure to loud noises causing hearing loss
- Chronic back conditions resulting from lifting heavy objects
- Exposure to toxic chemicals causing cancers or other chronic diseases
Records of in-service treatment are very important in establishing this link. If you were treated for your injury or medical condition as it arose during your time in service, documentation from that treatment will go a long way toward establishing a link between the past event that led to your disability and your disability as it affects you today.
MARC WHITEHEAD & ASSOCIATES WILL FIGHT FOR YOU
We understand that every day, week and month counts until your disabilities are properly rated and
compensation is received. Since 1992, our firm has been representing injured and disabled people.
Our commitment is to those who have served our country, and our veterans’ benefit lawyers and
supporting staff will work hard on your claim. When you’re stuck, frustrated, underrated—our VA
accredited attorneys are here for you. Call us today for a free case evaluation, 800-562-9830.