Veterans’ Benefits Questions, Answered
There are many veterans in our country that have no idea that they could be receiving benefits. While some feel like leaving the past behind them, so to speak, others do not even realize that there may be reason for them to receive benefits. Plus, the laborious, seemingly endless application process can seem too daunting even to give it a try. But injured or disabled veterans have a right to benefits, and so should look into the process for obtaining them.
Q: How do you know if you could be receiving benefits? Who is qualified to receive benefits?
A: There are three key factors in determining if you might be eligible to obtain VA service connected disability benefits. First, you had to have served in the Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marines, or Air Force. Secondly, you must currently suffer from a disability which began during your years of service, or began before hand and was worsened by doing service. There is a wide range of these sorts of disabilities, to some types of cancer, to breathing problems, to other disabilities that originated from or were affected by your service. Third, you have to be able to connect your current disability to your time in the service.
An example is, if you were on leave from active duty and vacationing with your family and while skiing you fell and broke your leg or injured your knee. Because of the injury you now need a knee replacement or surgery, even if its years later. Though it may not seem like it, this injury itself is service connected, as you were on active duty when the accident or illness occurred, even though you were on leave. Secondly, now that problem is causing pain as well as other problems which you have to be treated for.
Q: Why should I obtain VA service connected disability benefits, how will it help me?
A: If you are successful in being service connected for your disability you could receive a monthly benefit and you become eligible for medical care at your local VA facility. The amount of your monthly benefit will depend on your percentage of service connection granted.
Q: If I am eligible for service connected benefits, and have 10% hearing loss and 30% PTSD, why are my disabilities considered only 30% connected to my military service?
A: The VA has a rating schedule that they use to determine what percentage is to be granted for each disability depending on the severity of the disability. They also use a rating chart to total your percentage of service connection, they do not use mathematical terms. These service connection percentages can be tricky to understand and if you feel that you should be receiving more benefits or a higher percentage then you should look into your disability and the severity or contact a professional that could assist you.
Q: Why does my neighbor receive 70% for the same disability that I have?
A: This is due to the fact that the VA rates everyone separately depending on the severity of their disability. Again, there is a rating schedule that determines the amount of benefit and the percentage of service connection that each person receives.
Q: Can I still work and receive VA service connected disability benefits?
A: Yes, you can. Unlike with Social Security Disability, the disability benefits you obtain from Veteran Affairs are not affected by working. If you obtain benefits for a service connected disability, but are still able to work, then you are entitled to keep working and receiving benefits. Your disability benefits are not reduced or annulled if you are earning an income.
Q: Can I receive Social Security Disability benefits and VA service connected disability benefits? A: Yes. While Social Security Disability does gauge your earned income when determining your SSD benefits, your VA benefits are not considered earned income, and so will not get in the way of your SSD benefits.
Q: My husband/wife was in the service and receiving VA service connected disability benefits but they have passed. Can I receive their benefits?
A: There are benefits for surviving spouses and dependent children. However, every case is different, and you need to be sure to speak to a professional before moving forward.
Q: How do I file a claim?
A: Veteran Affairs has laws to follow called “Veteran Friendly Laws.” The VA has the duty to help you file a claim and walk you through the process of obtaining benefits. There are Regional Offices in every state and there are organizations set up to assist the veterans at no cost to you. To locate your local Veteran Affairs Regional Office and any local Veteran Service Organizations, visit the Veteran Affairs website at www.va.gov.
Q: Can I hire an attorney?
A: Veteran Affairs has some laws that help a lawyer to know when he or she can represent you for a fee, and when he or she cannot. You can find some lawyers who will represent you for free, or Pro Bono, and others who will require you to sign a contract promising payment for their services. You should contact a local attorney’s office for more information and specifics regarding your claim.
Q: I already get benefits for a service connected ability. Is there any other benefit I can receive?
A: The answer to this question will depend on your situation. If, for instance, your service connected disability has grown in severity since you began receiving benefits, you can apply for an increase in your percentage or rating, which will also increase the amount of your monthly benefits. The VA also has benefits for those veterans that are unemployable due to their service connected disability. If this is your situation, there is a second application that you need to fill out in order to apply. If you feel you are unemployable and should be receiving higher benefits you should contact a VSO or an Attorney to answer your questions and possibly assist you in obtaining these benefits. Veteran Affairs also provides additional benefits to those veterans who, due to their service connected disability, are mostly homebound and cannot care for themselves. These benefits are a homebound compensation. If you need assistance in caring for yourself but are having trouble paying for the care you should look into this option.
Because each claim is different, getting the benefits that you are entitled to can be a complex and confusing process. The VA’s website has a lot of information on what kind of benefits there are beyond disability benefits and what you can do to receive these benefits. If you are a veteran and you were injured in any way or your disabilities that you had before going into the service were aggravated in any way please look into your options. After all, you served your country in the past, and may very well be entitled to receive benefits for it today.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
If this is you, you are not the only one out there feeling that way. Read on for easy to understand answers to some of the social security questions we most commonly hear. We hope that this information can help you to better understand the process, and know what you should do next.
The question we probably hear more than any other is “How are Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income different? This is a good question because there is a big difference in the two. Supplemental Security Income is commonly referred to as SSI, and Social Security Disability is referred to by the initials SSD
November 20th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Q: My disability allows me to work, but I cannot earn the same amount of money I did before. Am I allowed to apply for social security benefits?
A: Yes, you can still file for Social Security benefits. But your claim may not necessarily be approved. When the SSA decides whether or not you are eligible for social security benefits, one of the first things they look at is if you can do the same work you used to. If you cannot do that same work, they will then try to determine whether or not you can make a substantial income in another type of position.
November 22nd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
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November 23rd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
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November 25th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
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November 26th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
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November 27th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Am I eligible for Social Security benefits?
The Social Security Administration grants Social Security benefits based on a few considerations. The most important condition is the degree of your disability as determined by the Social Security Administration. The SSA considers you disabled if you are not able to perform the work that you did before, and that you cannot take up another line of work due to your condition. You are also classified as disabled if your illness or condition is anticipated to last for a year or if you are expected to die from your condition.
The Social Security program assumes applicants that have family members that are currently working and will have access to other means that will support them during times of short term disability.
November 29th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Your blog is really helpful. I will use this info.
December 1st, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Even with a competent Social Security lawyer on your side, the process can still take an excessively long time. Many people find it quite frustrating to be out of work and unable to claim their benefits, but the severe backlog of Social Security cases is the cause of all this. Social Security cases are typically processed on a first come, first served basis, which means that you have no choice but to wait it out. In extreme situations, the claims process can take as long as eighteen months and even up to two years.
It is interesting to note that even if a Social Security Disability lawyer cannot help you get a hearing with an administrative law judge sooner, a good one can work wonders for your case even before you get a hearing.
December 4th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Helpful blog info. Thanks for sharing this.
December 8th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
This blog helped me.