What Every Vet Should Know About Receiving Disability Benefits

Military personnel make many sacrifices to protect our country, sometimes giving their lives. Veterans oftentimes give up their good health, even after they return home.
Individuals who experience medical conditions arising from service are eligible for disability benefits, but a number of myths make many veterans reluctant to claim them. Further, the process of receiving benefits is lengthy, confusing and — at times — disheartening.
Let’s dispel the myths and get to these five truths every veteran should know about disability benefits.

1. It’s Possible Your Claim Will Be Denied

Do not assume because a claim was denied it has no merit. Many local offices reject up to 71% of their claims because of processing errors. Even without errors, denials are common.
“A staggering number of cases are unfairly denied,” states George Sink, veteran and founder of Disabled Vets. “It’s an ongoing issue we’re working hard to rectify.”
If your claim was unfairly denied, file a Notice of Disagreement Form and consider hiring an attorney. You’ll go through reviews until another decision is made.

2. Vets Can Claim Disability at Any Time

Thousands of soldiers don’t realize a condition was due to their service until years after the inciting incident. Furthermore, many assume they don’t require benefits until their condition worsens.
Regardless of how long ago they served, veterans are permitted to file a claim for disability as long as they meet basic requirements. The issue that often arises with these cases is demonstrating a link between a soldier’s disability and his or her time in service, as the evidence can be harder to provide years after.

3. Vets Have One Year to Dispute a Rating Claim

Unlike filling a claim itself, soldiers have only a year to dispute a rating provided by Veterans Affairs.
The VA determines ratings by addressing:

• Any evidence provided by you
• Mandated exams
• Federal data and information from other sources

Ratings for individuals with more than one condition are calculated using a combined ratings scale.
The VA can require multiple reexaminations that can have a detrimental effect on your percentage, but these are usually reserved for individuals whose injuries may not be permanent.

4. Some Soldiers Are Entitled to Presumptive Service Disabilities

The government has accepted presumptive service disabilities for a number of past soldiers who were in particular situations. Presumptive conditions are chronic medical conditions that the government recognizes were most likely due to service.
Soldiers who experienced the following may have a presumptive condition:

• Imprisonment
• The Vietnam War
• The Gulf War
• Ionizing radiation

Many presumptive disabilities aren’t diagnosed for years. Check with the VA to see if you qualify.

5. You Can Get Additional Benefits

In addition to disability services, veterans can also obtain other benefits. Benefits can include:

• Federal hiring preference
• Health care and prescription costs
• VA home loan waivers
• Job training
• An increase in benefits for dependants

Many supplemental options can help veterans find jobs, support their families and afford medicine.
Although the disability benefits process can feel discouraging, know that you deserve compensation for your duty.