When a veteran applies for disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, one of the top questions they may have is how long their claim will take. Although various factors can affect the timeline of a VA disability benefits claim, veterans can take proactive steps to help expedite a decision on their application. As…
When a veteran submits a claim for disability benefits to the Department of Veterans Affairs, one of the most important pieces of information is the “effective date.” The effective date for a disability benefits claim determines when a veteran should have begun receiving benefits payments. As a result, the effective date of a VA disability…
A service member can experience traumatic injuries, physical wear and tear, and degenerative conditions that lead to chronic pain after they leave the service. In certain circumstances, veterans may seek VA disability benefits for chronic pain. However, veterans who file claims may receive a lower rating than they expected. Before a veteran files a VA…
When a veteran experiences limitations on their daily activities or work due to a medical condition related to their military service, they may receive disability benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, veterans who receive VA disability benefits might also qualify for Social Security disability benefits. But how do VA disability benefits differ from…
When a veteran seeks VA disability benefits for the first time, they will file a new claim. However, after a veteran has filed a VA disability benefits claim, they may want to contest the outcome of their claim or assert that their condition has worsened. But does that veteran need to file a new claim…
MST can cause veterans to suffer from various physical and mental ailments long after they have left the service. However, survivors of MST may qualify for VA disability compensation. Specifically, when a veteran develops physical or mental conditions due to MST, those conditions may have a “service connection” that entitles the veteran to VA disability…
The process of applying for VA disability benefits involves multiple steps. In a disability benefits claim, Step 5 arguably represents the most important stage of the process, as this stage determines the rating of a veteran’s disability. Veterans going through the claims process should understand each step to know what to expect as the VA…
If you can continue to work after applying for disability benefits from the VA, you may consider staying in your job to bolster your income with your current wages and your VA disability compensation. However, you may worry about what might happen to your VA disability benefits if you continue to work while receiving benefits….
Veterans who have disabilities caused by their military service can qualify for various benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, such as disability compensation. However, the VA also offers benefits to the spouses and dependent children of disabled veterans, including educational assistance. Families of loved ones who have permanent and total disabilities connected to their…
In certain circumstances, you may have questions about whether your disability qualifies as a service-connected condition. However, if your disability does not have a service connection, can you still obtain benefits from the VA? Although the VA reserves traditional disability benefits for service-connected conditions, disabled veterans with a non-service-connected condition may still qualify for other…