Explore Military Disability Filing And Appeal Support
Posted on: 7 January 2015
Not all military injury is physical, and it doesn't always end with a medical discharge. An honorable discharge may still have lingering physical pain that isn't properly processed when transitioning into a civilian lifestyle. As you sit through the Department of Veterans Affairs system, consider a few techniques and success ideas to help you get the most out of a disability appeal.
Is Every Veteran Eligible For Disability?
The key to compensation under the Veterans Affairs (VA) system is having a service-connected disability. That is, your disability needs to be related to military service.
For many veterans, their injuries or mental difficulties are major reasons for getting out of the military. Because of this, many injuries may occur only at the end of military service and may seem suspicious to the disability claim system.
Don't underplay the validity of your claim; if you're hurt, apply for compensation and health care benefits with the VA. There's nothing to lose but time by filling out the paperwork.
There's More To Compensation Than Money
When a military servicemember is injured in any way, there's no guarantee that they'll receive health coverage—even though recruiters use such statements as recruiting tools. That said, if your injuries aren't enough to warrant disability, there are other services available.
The veteran health care program is a basic coverage system that allows eligible veterans to receive care at a VA clinic or hospital. For most veterans—especially honorable and medical discharge veterans—the process is as simple as signing up and getting your name in the system.
Depending on your income, you may have to pay a relatively low copay for medication. Health insurance isn't required, but the coverage will not support emergency room visits unless approved on a case-by-case basis before going to the emergency room—a difficult task to accomplish when in a true emergency.
Don't Let A Denial Keep You Down
For many disability claim filers, it may feel like disability claims are always denied the first time. There might be a small amount of truth to the problem, as many first-time filers lack the proper filing information or the direction to ask questions.
In most cases, the denial is from a simple lack of information. Many servicemembers may have parts of their medical record missing or an incomplete statement from medical personnel. As you search for the missing information, contact an injury lawyer like Brady Law Chartered to help you piece together a more comprehensive claim.
You don't need to start from scratch; with claims that are less than a year old, you can appeal and simply add the missing information to the existing file. Make sure to sign up to the government eBenefits website and allow your injury lawyer to access claim information. Consult an injury lawyer as soon as possible to get the legal process on track.
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