Military service can expose servicemembers to various toxic materials, chemicals, or gases. Veterans of the Gulf War and post-9/11 conflicts have developed various medical conditions that the VA has linked to toxic exposures suffered by servicemembers deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other theaters. Recent legislation has sought to make it easier for veterans who have…
If you have suffered a disability due to an injury sustained in military service or developed a medical condition from exposures or events during your service, you may qualify for VA disability benefits. Obtaining comprehensive evidence can give you the best chance of success when filing a claim for VA disability evidence. But what evidence…
After a veteran has their VA disability benefits application approved, they can begin receiving monthly payments to compensate them for disabling medical conditions caused by their military service. But do veterans owe income taxes on the disability benefits they receive from the VA? General Rule: VA Disability Benefits Are Not Taxable By default, the Internal…
Serving in the military can expose service members to loud noises that can cause hearing damage, such as tinnitus. Gunfire, explosions, and aircraft engines can cause military personnel to develop tinnitus. Veterans with service-connected tinnitus may become eligible for disability benefits from the VA. What Is Tinnitus and Why Is It Common Among Veterans? Tinnitus…
When you develop a medical condition you believe results from your military service, you may consider filing a VA disability claim. However, you may want to take the time to investigate and build a compelling application that gives you the best chance of having your claim approved. But you can maximize your back pay by…
The emotional stress that military service members can experience may lead to some veterans developing severe anxiety. But can veterans obtain VA disability benefits for anxiety? Furthermore, how does the VA evaluate anxiety claims to determine the amount of benefits owed to veterans? Can You Get VA Benefits for Anxiety? The VA recognizes anxiety as…
Veterans can pursue VA disability benefits for various service-connected medical conditions. However, veterans may wonder whether some medical conditions or personal circumstances can make it difficult or impossible to prove their eligibility for benefits. Are there some VA benefits claims that a veteran cannot prove? How You Prove a VA Disability Claim A veteran may…
The VA annually adjusts disability benefits rates in response to inflation to ensure that the purchasing power of veterans’ benefits remains stable. Will veterans see an increase in their VA benefits rates for 2026? What do we know about the upcoming changes to VA benefits next year? What Drives VA Benefits Changes Congress requires the…
During the review process for a VA disability benefits application, the agency may seek additional information about a veteran’s claimed condition(s). One of the ways that the VA obtains updated medical information for a veteran’s disability includes having the veteran attend a compensation and pension (C&P) exam. Knowing what to expect during a C&P exam…
Veterans who have disabling medical conditions may qualify for disability benefits from the VA if they can demonstrate a connection between their condition and their military service – in other words, that their military service caused or worsened their condition. However, federal law and VA regulations recognize some conditions as automatically having a service connection….