Although most disability claims require that veterans provide medical evidence of the link between a current disability and a precipitating service incident, there are a few special circumstances for which evidence of nexus is not necessary. “Chronicity” refers to a situation in which a veteran can receive benefits because the disability in question is a chronic condition that was diagnosed during a period of service or a designated presumptive period.
If you feel that your disability could be considered chronic by the VA, you’ll need to provide medical evidence showing that you were diagnosed with the condition during service and that a recent medical examination found that you continue to suffer from the same condition. Though you will have to produce statements from medical professionals, you won’t need to present anything other than diagnoses – no need for the detailed medical opinions and analysis required for other VA disability claims. The direct service connection is presumed under the policy of chronicity.
Which Conditions Are Considered Chronic for the Purposes of Disability Claims?
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There are two ways for veterans to prove that their current disabilities fall under the VA’s policy of chronicity. The first – and easiest – is simply to demonstrate that your illness or impairment is on the list of conditions recognized by the VA as chronic. Veterans whose conditions are on the list can quickly make successful disability claims even if a long length of time has transpired since their period of service, as long as they can successfully demonstrate diagnoses of the same chronic condition during service and at the present time.
If you consider your condition chronic but it is not on the VA’s approved list, it may still be possible to successfully argue your case and receive veterans benefits. In this situation, it’s a good idea to seek help from an experienced veterans’ advocate or lawyer to build up evidence based on medical reference material or doctor’s statements.
Making a successful case based on veteran-provided evidence is slightly more challenging but still highly possible. Chronicity makes it much easier for veterans with long-term conditions to successfully argue their disability claims and receive the veterans benefits they deserve.
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