VA Disability Claims Archives

07 Jul 2023

Decoding VA Disability Compensation Rates

VA Disability Claims

Navigating the realm of Veterans Affairs compensation can feel like uncharted territory. An integral part of this journey involves understanding VA disability benefits, their corresponding disability compensation rates, and how they influence the financial well-being of those who've served our country. This blog post will examine how service-connected disabilities are evaluated and how the VA disability rating impacts disability compensation rates. VA Disability Rates and Compensation As a veteran, if you have disabilities linked to your military service, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers disability benefits compensation. These benefits are a critical lifeline for many veterans and their families,…

16 Mar 2023

Is COPD a VA Disability?

Service Connection, VA Benefits, VA Disability Claims

Nearly 1.25 million veterans had COPD in 2020. If you or someone you know is a veteran diagnosed with COPD, you may wonder if it can be a VA service-connected disability. The answer is yes. This article will cover what COPD is, the basics of service connection for COPD, and how VA rates it. What Is COPD? COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and describes multiple conditions that cause breathing problems in the patient. It “obstructs” the flow of air through the patient’s lungs. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the two most common conditions that fall under COPD. COPD…

03 Jan 2023

Breaking Down an Agent Orange Illness Claim

Agent Orange, VA appeals Attorney, VA Benefits, VA Disability Attorney, VA Disability Claims, Veterans' Appeals

Breaking Down an Agent Orange Illness Claim Does an Agent Orange illness trouble you? Agent Orange may be one of the most well-known herbicides, and not for a good reason. This defoliant was widely used throughout the 1960s, mainly in Vietnam. It contained a contaminant called dioxin, and now both Agent Orange and dioxin are known to be linked with cancer and several other serious illnesses, including diabetes and birth defects. Both Vietnamese and Americans stationed in Vietnam during the Vietnam War were exposed to Agent Orange and many have developed the illnesses mentioned. Before Agent Orange was studied extensively,…

30 Aug 2022

The Most Common Reasons DIC Claims are Denied

Denied DIC Benefits, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, VA Benefits, VA Disability Claims, VA Disability Claims, Veterans Disability Attorney, Veterans Disability Lawyer

The Most Common Reasons DIC Claims are Denied In the past, survivors of disabled veterans who passed away were presumptively entitled to survivor benefits, called Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or DIC. Then, the law changed, establishing requirements which must be met before DIC claims can be granted. Now, because of the complexity of DIC claims, the initial denial rate is around 75%. Occasionally, the reasons for denial are straightforward and easy to correct. Sometimes, though, even the reasons for denial are as complex as the requirements themselves. If a claims examiner denies a DIC petition, the claimant does…

23 Aug 2022

Can You Receive SSDI and VA Disability

VA Benefits, VA Disability Attorney, VA Disability Claims, VA Disability Claims, VA Disability Compensation, Veterans Disability, Veterans Disability Attorney

Can You Receive SSDI and VA Disability? If you’re a disabled veteran, you may be wondering if you can receive social security disability insurance, SSDI and VA disability benefits at the same time. The answer is yes. SSDI and VA disability are two separate federal programs, although there is some overlap. For example, an SSDI award could make it easier to obtain a VA disability award, and vice versa. A grant of benefits under one program can serve as evidence of a disability in addition to medical records. Be aware, however, that the SSDI denial rate is even higher than…

01 Aug 2022

VA Disability Benefits for Migraine Headaches

VA Benefits, VA Disability Attorney, VA Disability Claims, VA Disability Compensation, Veterans Disability, Veterans Disability Attorney, Veterans Disability Lawyer

VA Disability Benefits for Migraine Headaches Military veterans, particularly those with service in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Global War on Terror, have a significantly higher rate of migraine headaches than the general population. In fact, migraine diagnoses in the military increased by 27% from 2001 to 2007 as a result of the increased deployments to the Middle East. Scientists do not fully understand what causes migraine headaches. The latest research indicates that a chemical imbalance in the brain may be the primary culprit. Various kinds of brain injuries, which are common among veterans, could trigger such an imbalance. The effects…

19 Jul 2022

How Does VA Disability Evidence Work

VA Disability Attorney, VA Disability Claims, VA Disability Compensation

How Does VA Disability Evidence Work? Addressing the questions about VA disability evidence. During his second inaugural address, President Abraham Lincoln laid out the vision for the future Veterans Administration disability program when he envisioned a way “to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.” For many years, the VA disability system fulfilled Lincoln’s vision. Veterans who were entitled to compensation were able to obtain it without a prolonged fight. Now, things are different. The VA is one of the most under-funded federal agencies, and the number of disabled veterans keeps…

07 Jun 2022

Obtaining a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability

VA appeals Attorney, VA Benefits, VA Disability Claims, VA Disability Compensation, Veterans Disability, Veterans Disability Attorney, Veterans Disability Lawyer

Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability Let's look at securing a total disability rating from the VA and having it based on Individual Unemployability. There are several ways to be considered 100 percent disabled by VA standards. One way is to obtain a total disability rating based on individual unemployability, or TDIU. What makes TDIU different than a regular 100 percent rating, or combination of ratings, is that it is based on the veteran’s functional employability, and thus focuses on vocation instead of, say, use of a particular body part. Notably, in this sense, “unemployable” does not mean…

24 May 2022

VA Doubles Down on Contractors

VA appeals Attorney, VA Benefits, VA Disability Attorney, VA Disability Claims, VA Disability Compensation

VA Doubles Down on Contractors The Veterans Administration has opened the digital door to additional contractors, even those who have never done business with the federal government before. “For those that are interested in trying to help break that - that black hole mold of trying to figure out how to do business, we’re rolling out — and it’s ready to use now, there’s still some processes that we have to go through on the [operational technology] side for compliance — but there’s a new website, it’s a single entry point into VA, both for innovation and selling,” chief…

12 Apr 2022

Disability Schedules

VA appeals Attorney, VA Benefits, VA Disability Attorney, VA Disability Claims

VA to Revise Some Disability Schedules The Veterans Administration announced that it will change the way it evaluates some disability schedules. Including service-related respiratory conditions, mental health conditions, and ear, nose, & throat disorders. The Administration intends to bring the VA's rating schedule more in line with modern medicine. Officials plan to eliminate the 0% PTSD disability level and institute a 10% disability minimum. Most importantly, the changes will remove the requirement that a veteran not be able to work to receive a 100% disability rating. The sleep apnea disability ratings will change to reflect earning impairment.…

Category: VA Disability Claims