Are you a disabled veteran in search of benefits? You should apply for veterans disability benefits. You can receive additional income, and even receive reimbursement for traveling to care.
Who qualifies for Veteran Disability?
You can receive disability benefits if you have a disability sustained due to your service. Depending on the severity of your disability and the number of dependents you have, you can receive between $133 to $3,300 each month. If you have a very serious disability, such as deafness in both ears and paralysis, the VA will pay you more each month. Veterans with combinations of disabilities, such as blindness and deafness, will receive even higher amounts of assistance. The compensation depends on the combination of disabilities.
How do I apply for veteran disability benefits?
There are several ways to apply for veteran disability benefits. As long as you qualify, you can apply one of four ways:
- Apply by mail by filling out the Veteran’s Application for Compensation And/Or Pension. After completing the form, mail it to your local veteran’s affairs office.
- Use the Veterans On-Line Application.
- Apply for benefits by visiting your nearest veteran’s affairs office.
- Call 800-827-1000 and apply over the phone. If you live overseas, call 412-395-6272. Hard of hearing and deaf veterans can call 800-829-4833.
Regardless of how you decide to do it, you should apply for benefits as soon as possible. Waiting to apply only prolongs the effective date of your benefits.
When will I receive my disability benefits?
When filling out the application, keep in mind that adding disabilities to the claim will make it take longer to process. There are two ways to speed the process up. You can choose to list only the disabilities and conditions that are actively ailing you. The alternative to omission is the fast-track claims program, also known as the “fully developed claim” program. The "fully developed claim" program allows you to hasten the claims process as long as you submit all of your medical records with your application.
Certain veterans are automatically given priority processing status. If you are a homeless vet, a former POW, a victim of sexual trauma, or suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, your application will be processed before others. Vietnam veterans who have been exposed to Agent Orange have their own fast-track claims processing system.
What should I do if my claim is denied?
If you are denied veteran disability benefits, you can appeal the decision by submitting a Notice of Disagreement form to the veteran’s affairs office that denied your claim. You may want to consider receiving counsel or assistance from a disability lawyer. If nothing comes of your appeal, you should consider applying for social security disability benefits.
