VETERANS DISABILITY RESOURCES
Veteran Strong Consulting has prepared the following list of resources specifically targeting useful information and guidance regarding VA Disability Claims. While the intention of this list is not to provide legal advice nor to guarantee specific outcomes, it is presented in good faith to assist veterans in finding trustworthy disability claims resources.
Suicide Prevention Resources
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, text to 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
Service-Connection Requirement
For a veteran to qualify for disability benefits, his disease or disability must be service-connected, meaning that the veteran’s active service (or an incident/injury during active service) caused or helped to cause the disability. There are three different types of service connections: direct service connection, aggravated injury connection, and presumed service connection.
1. Direct Service Connection
A direct service connection occurs when the disability occurred directly due to military service, such as the loss of eyesight due to an in-combat injury. In such cases, the veteran must show evidence of his current disability, evidence of the incident that caused the disease or injury, and medical evidence that the occurrence caused the current disability or disease.
2. Aggravated Service Connection
An aggravated service connection can be established in cases where a veteran entered military service with a pre-existing condition that is noted in his or her entrance medical exam and can provide evidence that active military service or an incident during service aggravated that condition.
3. Presumed Service Connection
A presumed service connection can be established when a veteran (who has served at least 90 days) develops a disability or condition of a 10% degree or greater that is presumed to be related to active service. Federal law lists the disabilities and illnesses that are presumed to result from active military service, including certain chronic illnesses, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis, Hansen’s disease, and certain tropical illnesses. The disability must appear within a certain amount of time after active service (the lengths of time vary by type of disease/disability).
Disability Compensation
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs presents a basic overview of disability compensation, including a brief definition of disability compensation, benefit rates description, eligibility, evidence required, presumed disabilities, and how to apply.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/types-disability.asp
Types of Claims
Many types of claims pertain to disability compensation. Some claims may be based upon preexisting disabilities that were present upon entering military service but were exacerbated during service, disabilities that happened during service, disabilities that became apparent following military service, or other disabilities with special circumstances. This resource from The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides information about each of these varied types of claims.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/types-claims.asp
Benefit Rates
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides multiple resources about compensation. Learn more about V.A. compensation rates, access current rates, determine how rates are calculated, and find out how cost-of-living adjustments are made.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/rates-index.asp
Eight-Step Claims Process
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs details the eight distinct steps typically followed in most claims for disability compensation. The time required to complete each of these steps may vary depending upon the amount of evidence that must be gathered to support the claim, the required types of evidence, and other conditions affecting the complexity of the claim.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/process.asp
Evidence Requirements
This resource from The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs delineates the sufficient evidence requirements for the processing of disability claims.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/evidence.asp
How to Apply
Need to know how to apply for VA benefits? This multifaceted resource from The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs details how to apply online, via mail or fax, in person (using the facilities locator for VA regional offices), or when working with an accredited representative. Includes links to pertinent forms.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/apply.asp
VA Forms Search
The Department of Veterans Affairs Forms website provides a searchable database of VA forms which are available in multiple formats. Many forms are in PDF format and can be completed, saved, and edited online; while other forms may be offered as printable blank forms for manual completion.
https://www.va.gov/vaforms/default.asp
Benefits Calculator
This benefits calculator offered by The American Legion can aid in determining your eligibility for a multitude of available benefits. Answer a few simple questions and receive a customized report to share with your Department Service Officer.
https://www.legion.org/benefitscalculator/
Compensation Options
This resource from Military.com gives a brief description of compensation options available to veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses and parents.
https://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care/va-disability-compensation-options.html
VA Benefits by State
The American Legion national website provides this useful state-by-state directory of veterans benefits. Benefits for veterans with service-connected disabilities may vary in some states.
https://www.legion.org/veteransbenefits/state
Challenging Your Discharge Status
This resource from StatesideLegal.org includes a description of the discharge review regulations for each military branch, how to request a review, and the steps of the review process.