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Learn About Veterans Benefits

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Learn About Veterans Benefits

VA disability provides monthly monetary benefits to veterans who became sick or injured while serving in the U.S. military, or whose service exacerbated an existing condition. Many conditions may allow applicants to get benefits, including physical and mental health conditions like chronic illnesses, debilitating injuries, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

If you need to file VA disability compensation or if you’ve been recently denied help, you may be able to apply for assistance with your application or appeal.  Initial applications and appeals processes can be complex, and you’ll need to provide the VA with the right documentation to support your claim. 

Evidence you may need to provide includes your VA or private medical records, supporting statements and your discharge papers. Furthermore, the VA may request you schedule and complete a claims exam with a physician so they can learn more about your condition. 

Once you’re ready to submit your application, you may do so online, by mail, in person at any VA regional office or with the help of a legal professional. Trained and licensed professionals can provide representation, help you gather necessary documents, and help you understand VA benefits you may be entitled to, such as disability, home loans, education, life insurance, and health insurance. Additionally, legal professionals can file legal claims and appeals on your behalf. 

The VA will process your claim after you apply. As of March 2023, it takes the VA between 120 and 150 days to process a disability-related claim. You can track the status of your application online. If your application is denied, you have the right to appeal. 

If your VA disability claim is denied due to your discharge status, you may be able to get help upgrading your discharge characterization. This process will require additional documents and will include a thorough review of your case by the review board. 

The VA provides multiple avenues to appeal decisions, including:

Supplemental Claims: This appeal option allows you to submit new evidence that could have impacted your initial claim, such as missing documents or upgraded discharge characterization. 

Higher-Level Review: Higher-level reviews require a more senior claim reviewer to take a look at your case and make sure errors haven’t been made. With this type of appeal, you cannot submit new evidence as part of the appeal process. Board Appeal: With a board appeal, you’ll appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. During this type of appeal, a Veterans Law Judge will review your case and any additional evidence you’ve submitted.