Service-Connected Disability
Millions of veterans struggle daily with the effects of illnesses or injuries that occurred or were aggravated during active duty service. Those veterans may be entitled to Service-Connected Disability Compensation. Claims can arise from more than just a physical injury incurred during service.
When you apply for disability compensation, the VA will first determine if your claimed impairments or disabilities are related to your service. This is usually done by sending the veteran to multiple compensation and pension exams at a VA medical facility. If the VA determines that your impairments are related to your service it will assign a disability rating from 0 to 100 percent for each impairment, based on its severity and then assign an overall disability rating. The higher the percentage assigned, the higher your monthly compensation.
The VA’s process for these claims (and all other claims, really) is painfully slow. Currently, the VA is struggling with a huge backlog and has limited resources with which to process claims. A decision on a veteran’s initial claim, which can be filed at a local Regional Office or through the eBenefits system, may take well over a year. Appeals take even longer. Compounding the frustration of long wait times is the difficulty tracking the progress of an appeal of a claim through the VA’s unhelpful and maddening phone system and limited online access. Developing and presenting your appeal properly the first time will help eliminate additional wait time or later appeals. Our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys can help guide your claim through the appeals process toward the best possible result and highest amount of compensation.
Even if you were not treated or diagnosed during your service, you may also have a claim related to:
- PTSD and other mental impairments
- Military Sexual Trauma
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Agent Orange exposure
- Camp Lejeune water contamination
- Gulf War Syndrome
- Asbestos or Radiation exposure
Learn More
If you need assistance appealing your service-connected disability claim, please contact our veterans law office for a free consultation at 866-849-3287 or 214-741-2005. We are based in Dallas, Texas, and represent veterans all over the United States.
