Top Reasons Your VA Disability Claim Gets Denied When you apply for veteran disability benefits, the last thing you want is for your claim to be denied or delayed unnecessarily. Unfortunately, innocent mistakes can derail your claim. Earlier this year, the VA reported that the approval rate for PACT Act related claims was just over …
Understanding VA Disability Appeals: How to Seek the Benefits You Deserve
Understanding VA Disability Appeals: How to Seek the Benefits You Deserve Many veterans find themselves confused and discouraged after receiving a lower-than-expected disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or even facing a denial of benefits. For some, it may feel as if there’s no choice but to accept the VA’s decision and …
VA Ratings for IBS With GERD
VA Ratings for IBS With GERD Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal condition that can cause pain, cramping, bloating, gas, and diarrhea and/or constipation. The severity of IBS varies, but most people can manage the condition with diet and stress management. Some IBS patients need medication. Many people who suffer from IBS also have …
20% VA Disability Ratings and Benefits Explained
20% VA Disability Ratings and Benefits Explained Your VA disability rating determines the benefits you will receive–both the amount of your monthly monetary benefit and the types of benefits you are eligible for. That’s one reason it’s important to work with an experienced VA disability benefits advocate when you file a claim. A knowledgeable advocate …
What Heart Conditions Qualify for VA Disability?
What Heart Conditions Qualify for VA Disability? Any heart condition can qualify a veteran for VA disability, if the condition is service connected and is sufficiently serious. The VA uses a general rating schedule for many heart conditions, but also has separate schedules for many heart conditions. And, some heart conditions are presumed service connected …
Understanding Your Deferred VA Claim
Understanding Your Deferred VA Claim VA disability benefits can be a lifeline if your ability to earn a living is limited due to a service-connected disability. So, it’s not unusual for veterans who have submitted a disability claim to be anxiously on the lookout for the decision letter. Approval is great, and denial probably means …
Will a Government Shutdown Affect My VA Disability?
Will a Government Shutdown Affect My VA Disability? When you’re reliant on VA disability benefits for living expenses and medical care, the threat of a government shutdown can be nerve-racking. Here’s what you need to know about whether and how VA disability benefits could be impacted by a government shutdown. Will a Government Shutdown Happen? …
How to Get VA Disability for Arthritis
How to Get VA Disability for Arthritis Arthritis is a rheumatic condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. This inflammation leads to pain, swelling, and limitation of movement. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 19% of adults in the nation have been diagnosed with arthritis. Still, the condition is significantly …
Can I Get VA Disability Benefits For Flattened Affect?
Can I Get VA Disability Benefits For Flattened Affect? If you are a military veteran with flattened affect, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits. Flattened affect is a symptom of several medical conditions that may be service-connected. If you suffer from this condition as a veteran, you may be eligible for disability benefits …
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Rates for 2024
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Rates for 2024 Dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) is a monetary benefit payable to some survivors of disabled veterans. Both the deceased veteran and the dependent must meet certain requirements. The veteran must have either died on active duty or in training, died due to a service-connected condition, or have been …
Why Should I Hire a VA Disability Advocate?
Why Should I Hire a VA Disability Advocate? If you’re considering filing a VA disability claim or have been denied VA disability benefits, you may be wondering whether you should work with an experienced disability benefits advocate. For most people, it is helpful to hire a VA disability benefits advocate at the very beginning of …
How To Speed Up My VA Disability Claim
How Can I Speed Up My VA Disability Claim The average VA disability claim takes more than five months to process. Your actions can impact that timeline in two ways. First, the VA offers some limited opportunities to speed up the process somewhat. Second, and just as important, you will want to make sure you …
How to Pass a C&P Exam
How to Pass a C&P Exam A compensation and pension exam – also known as a C&P exam or a VA claim exam is a part of the process when a veteran files a claim with the VA for VA disability compensation or pension benefits. This exam helps the VA determine if a veteran has …
VA Disability Benefits for Esophageal Cancer – Disabled Vets
VA Disability Benefits for Esophageal Cancer Esophageal cancer can be an ordeal and is often fatal. However, early detection and treatment increases survival rates dramatically. A veteran suffering from esophageal cancer can receive VA disability benefits if: They have a current diagnosis of esophageal cancer, and They can show that the cancer is connected to …
Can the VA Reduce My 100% TDIU Rating? – Disabled Vets
Can the VA Reduce My 100% TDIU Rating? A classification of total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) can make a big difference in the benefits a disabled veteran receives. But, a TDIU classification isn’t necessarily permanent. Here’s what you need to know about when a veteran may qualify for TDIU, why and how the …
Veterans Disability for Tinnitus
Veterans Disability for Tinnitus Tinnitus is one of the most common conditions U.S. veterans receive benefits for. In 2023, it was the single most common service-connected condition among new VA disability recipients. In that year alone, 220,261 veterans started receiving VA disability benefits for tinnitus. Overall, more than ten times that number–2,944,093 veterans–received benefits for …
When PTSD Becomes Deadly
When PTSD Becomes Deadly Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD can increase a veteran’s risk for suicide or attempted suicide. When this becomes deadly, know how you can help save their lives by knowing the signs to look for and how to get them the treatment they need. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is …
VA Rating: Rheumatoid Arthritis
VA Rating: Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis can be debilitating. Since rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, you might not think of it as a condition that may be service-connected. But, certain toxic exposures are associated with rheumatoid arthritis. If you can establish that your condition is service-connected, you may receive VA disability benefits for rheumatoid …
Veterans Facts: CRDP v. CRSC
Learn the Facts: CRDP v. CRSC Most veterans who qualify for both military retired pay and VA disability pay have choices to make. That’s because, in most situations, a veteran cannot receive full benefits from both programs. Concurrent retirement and disability pay (CRDP) and combat-related special compensation (CRSC) are two separate provisions that can increase …
Burn Pits: Presumptive Conditions
Burn Pits: Presumptive Conditions If you’re a veteran who got sick due to burn pit exposure during your military service, you may have tried unsuccessfully to secure VA disability benefits. For a long time, there were no conditions presumptively service-connected for those exposed to burn pits. Then, there were just three. Now, however, the VA …