VA Disability for Migraines: Everything You Need to Know

VA Disability for Migraines: Everything You Need to Know

If you’ve ever had a migraine, you know how disabling they can be. The VA offers disability compensation for migraine conditions connected to a veteran’s service. We’ll walk you through what a migraine is, the available ratings, and how to get compensation for a migraine condition.  More About Migraines Migraines differ from headaches — they are neurological events that include some or all of the following symptoms:  Moderate to intense head pain in various parts of the head  Throbbing, pounding, or pulsing sensation Worsening pain upon movement Nausea or vomiting Sensitivity to light and sound Interference with daily life Symptoms…
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Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability: What Ratings Are Required?

Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability: What Ratings Are Required?

The VA rates disabilities on a scale from 0% to 100%, with 100% disabled veterans considered totally unable to work and thus receiving the highest amount of compensation. What about veterans rated less than 100% but who are still unable to hold a job and support themselves or their families?  The VA has created a special avenue for veterans to receive compensation as if they were 100% disabled. Under VA rules, veterans can apply for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability, or TDIU.  TDIU Explained TDIU is a special rating designed to compensate veterans who are unable to work because…
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Is Sleep Apnea a VA Disability?

Is Sleep Apnea a VA Disability?

For service members, the stresses of training, combat, and reintegration into civilian life can disrupt sleep patterns. Insomnia and nightmares may be the most common service-related sleep disruption, but sleep apnea also affects millions of veterans. Yes, it is a disability that can entitle a veteran to compensation.  Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops and starts while the individual is asleep. It may lead to snoring or gasping for air during sleep, drowsiness, dry mouth, and/or headaches during waking hours.  Service-related sleep apnea could be connected to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Though research is still being conducted on…
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What Is the VA Disability Pay Chart?

Having an application for service connection is only the first step in receiving compensation for a disability. After the claims process, the VA must determine how much you receive in monthly compensation. VA Disability Pay Chart Overview The modern VA disability pay chart enables the agency to determine the amount of monthly benefits based on the degree of disability and the number of the veteran’s dependents. As far as the VA is concerned, a dependent’s financial contribution is zero, even if that spouse, child, or other dependent is working. VA disability benefits include free medical care, regardless of the degree…
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The Five and Five of VA Disability PTSD

The Five and Five of VA Disability PTSD Despite the research being done to understand post-traumatic stress disorder better, many people may still be surprised to learn that PTSD is a physical brain injury in addition to a psychological disorder. Compensation and pension examiners may not be specialists or well-versed in new PTSD research. That’s especially true if they do not focus on these injuries in their everyday practices.  Many times, examination results and corresponding medical opinions don’t reflect the severity of the injury veterans with PTSD experience. So, in many cases, a VA disability attorney must overcome a subtle…
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VA Disability Benefits for Arthritis in the Hands

Obtaining VA Disability Benefits for Arthritis in the Hands According to the VA and CDC, arthritis affects one in five Americans and is the nation’s leading cause of disability. Over 100 conditions fall under the umbrella of arthritis, including arthritis in the hands, osteoarthritis, and degenerative joint diseases. The percentage of Americans with arthritis is expected to increase to one in four or around 25% by 2040. Not surprisingly, the prevalence of arthritis is higher among veterans than the general population: one in 3 veterans has arthritis. Military service takes a significant toll on a veteran’s body. Many veterans begin…
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PACT Act Claims

Officials Say They are Ready for PACT Act Claims A large veterans advocacy organization says the VA will be ready to process PACT Act claims beginning in 2023, and the organization will be ready to help. “In my mind, there's no more important way to do that than to compensate them, compensate veterans for whatever type of suffering they may have endured because of their service,” Amvets National Executive Director Joe Chenelly remarked in a Veterans Day celebration. “A ton of veterans who we knew were qualified for these new benefits and care have been coming to us, and we…
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Lawsuit Alleges Systemic Discrimination at VA

Lawsuit Alleges Systemic Discrimination at VA A lawsuit filed in November 2022 alleges systemic discrimination at VA. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Conley Monk, Jr., a 74-year-old former Marine. Monk Jr. claims the Veterans Administration systematically discriminated against Black veterans in disability compensation claims. The suit is based partly on a statistical analysis of VA records from 2001 to 2020. A university statistician who performed this analysis concluded that VA notably granted disability compensation to Black veterans at an average rate of 30.3% and White veterans at an average rate of 37.1%. According to the lawsuit, the VA…
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What Disabilities Qualify for VA Benefits

What Disabilities Qualify for VA Benefits? Learning about disabilities and what disabilities qualify for VA benefits. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 25% of Americans are at least partially disabled under specific criteria. A significant number of these disabilities apply to veterans and are related to their time in service. If that is the case, substantial VA Benefits may be available. The financial benefits do not change the fact that the veteran has been disabled. But these benefits make it much easier for these veterans and their families to live their lives. The VA recently overhauled the disability…
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How Does VA Disability Back Pay Work

How Does VA Disability Back Pay Work? VA disability back pay amounts depend on the effective dates. Which only increases when there is a Veterans Administration disability case backlog. The 2017 VA appeal system reforms have significantly reduced the Veterans Administration disability case backlog. In September 2022, almost 150,000 disability claims were backlogged, meaning they were pending at the VA for more than four months. This includes claims that are awaiting further development. But does not include claims that the VA has decided and the claimant is appealing. As burn pit-related claims spurred by the recently passed PACT Act and…
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