How Do I Get Started with the Veterans Disability Claims Process?
The Veterans Disability Claims Process can be complicated, and as a result, many veterans don’t obtain the benefits they earned. If you served our country as a member of the US armed forces and were impaired as a result, either physically or psychologically, you deserve compensation for your sacrifice. If you feel overwhelmed or confused by the process, you should consider working with an experienced veterans benefits attorney. He or she can ensure that you are following the Veterans Disability Claims Process correctly in order to have a better chance of getting your veteran’s benefits approved.
What Veterans Benefits Does the VA Handle?
For most, the Veterans Claims Process starts with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA has two main roles: providing medical care for veterans and paying benefits to veterans. Among the veterans benefits the VA handles – compensation for service-related disabilities, pensions to improvident veterans or their widows, and compensation to widows and families of veterans.
These responsibilities are divided between the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Since you are looking to process a claim for Veterans Benefits, you would be dealing solely with the VBA.
To start, you want to ensure that you qualify as a “veteran” according to the VA’s definition: “a person who served in the active military, naval or air services, and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.” Be aware that even if you have an honorable discharge, the VA retains the right to determine whether or not your disability came from dishonorable service.
The Next Step in the Veterans Claims Process
Once you have determined that you meet the basic definition of a “veteran,” you should understand the difference between compensation and pension to ensure that you are applying for the appropriate benefits. I will discuss this issue further in my next blog on the Veterans Claims Process.
Getting Help for a Veterans Denial of Benefits
Call Marc Whitehead and Associates toll-free at 800-562-9830 to schedule a free consultation with a VA disability attorney. There are a number of reasons that your claim may have been denied even if it seems like a straightforward case, such as inadequate information in the application, a missed deadline, or insufficient evidence. The VA may have incorrectly ruled that the disability was not service related, or you may have filled out the wrong forms. Under the guidance of an experienced veterans disability attorney, you can work to identify what went wrong and how to appeal the Veterans denial of benefits.