If you have served in active duty, you might be entitled to monetary benefits for any disability you acquired during your service time. While a claim through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) could provide life-changing benefits, these claims are frequently denied.
In many cases, the denial of a VA claim is unreasonable. If that happens, a dedicated attorney could help you pursue an appeal. A Memphis veterans’ disability lawyer could help you increase your chances of securing the benefits you are entitled to recover.
There are different types of benefits available through a successful VA claim. With the help of a veterans’ rights attorney in Memphis, an applicant could ensure they have a fair chance at recovering their rightful benefits.
The primary form of benefits paid out by the VA is disability benefits. Disability benefits are direct monetary payments given to veterans due to an illness or injury they suffered. An ailment must be severe enough to prevent a veteran partially or fully from maintaining gainful employment after their military service ends.
The amount of monthly payments will vary depending on the severity of the condition from which they suffer. In addition to the standard benefits, there could be special compensation added for specific catastrophic injuries like paralysis.
The VA also offers a pension for non-service-connected war-time veterans. VA Pension is for certain disabled veterans whose conditions are not service-related, but who are in financial need or over 65 and served during the war.
There could be benefits not only for a disabled veteran but also for their dependents as well. Dependency benefits are primarily available for surviving children and spouses of a service member who passes away while on active duty or due to a service-related illness or injury. If someone is denied compensation, they could receive dependency benefits if they appeal the denial of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits.
Benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs are only available under limited circumstances. The type of disability and the nature of a service member’s discharge from active duty determine if benefits are an option. A veterans’ benefits attorney in Memphis could help determine if someone is eligible for benefits.
Should someone meet all of the above criteria and service connection disability is granted, compensation is provided based on the severity of the disability. The VA will rate someone’s disability on a scale of zero to 100 percent in ten-percent increments. The more disabling a condition, the higher the rating.
The type of discharge a person receives will determine if VA benefits are a possibility. Any person who was discharged under dishonorable conditions from the military will not qualify for VA benefits. Barring an application for a discharge upgrade, these benefits will not be an option.
The nature of the veteran’s injury will also play an important role in determining VA benefits eligibility. To be covered, you must have:
In other words, you got sick or injured while serving in the military, you had an illness or injury prior to you joining the military and serving made it worse, or you have a disability related to your active-duty service that did not appear until after you ended your service. Whichever the case, it could take evidence from a doctor or medical expert to establish the link between the disability and a veteran’s military service.
For many veterans, their VA claim is an important way to receive compensation for their illnesses and injuries. If you are counting on these benefits to help you address your ailment, it is in your best interest not to do so alone.
Let a Memphis veterans’ disability lawyer help you defend your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation for your illness or injury. Contact a well-versed attorney today for a private consultation.