There are many misconceptions about veterans disability compensation. As a result, many eligible veterans do not apply for these benefits. The truth is that the process for applying for disability benefits is more straightforward than you may think, and the VA awards benefits to a wide range of applicants with many different conditions. Despite that, many deserving veterans see their benefits denied. This is the kind of situation where a veterans disability lawyer can help. At Jackson MacNichol, we have built our reputation on our ability to obtain compensation for our nation’s deserving veterans, so call us today at (888) 492-2941 for a free consultation.
Obtaining Veterans Disability Compensation May Be Easier Than You Think
You have nothing to lose by applying for veterans disability compensation, and a lot to gain if your application is approved. Unfortunately, many qualifying veterans decide not to apply for benefits because they don’t know the following facts:
- The VA’s definition of disability is broad–When most of us think of disability, we think of being permanently handicapped or in a wheelchair. But in the eyes of the VA a disability is any medical or psychological condition that was caused or made worse by your military service. The definition says nothing about the severity of the condition.
- Even low disability ratings still offer good benefits–People assume that you need a high disability rating for good benefits to kick in. But even a disability rating as low as 10 percent will result in a payment of $140 dollars each month, and it is tax free. Additionally, any disability rating may give you access to VA medical care.
- Benefits available for other than dishonorable discharge–Another incorrect assumption is that VA disability compensation is only for people who received an honorable discharge from the military. In truth, the only discharge status that completely rules out the receipt of these benefits is a dishonorable discharge.
- Your injury does not need to be war or battle related—Many people think that to qualify for disability compensation, you must show that you were wounded in battle, or at least in war time service. But in reality, a qualifying injury can occur at any point doing your military service. It does not need to be combat related in any way.
With these misconceptions out of the way, you may be wondering if it’s time for you to apply for disability compensation. Simply put, the time is now. The longer you wait after your military service, the harder it will be for you to successfully apply for disability compensation. If you are worried about receiving a low disability rating now, you can always seek another medical opinion to increase your disability rating in the future.
How a Veterans Benefits Lawyer Can Help
Sometimes, the VA rejects claims for disability compensation. Generally, the reason a claim is denied is a lack of proof that the medical condition is service related. A claim may also be denied because you need to upgrade your discharge status. Whatever the reason, the veterans compensation lawyers of Jackson MacNichol can help gather the necessary evidence and guide your case through the review or appeals process. Call us today at (888) 492-2941 for a free consultation about your options after a veterans disability claim denial.