U.S. military veterans who developed retinopathy may be eligible for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits. If you receive a diagnosis of retinopathy and believe your condition arose because of an event during your service or because of a condition you are already service-connected for or your condition began while you were in the service you can pursue VA compensation benefits. If your claim was not approved, you can take advantage of the appeals process which VA recently revised and made more efficient.
A VA disability advocate can help you gather the supporting evidence you need to build a compelling appeal for retinopathy veterans benefits. You deserve to be compensated for your sacrifice on behalf of our country. With the help of a disability advocate, you can be on your way to receiving VA disability. For a free consultation and claim evaluation, call (888) 373-4722 today.
How to Qualify for VA Disability Benefits for Retinopathy
VA provides several benefits to disabled veterans, including monthly compensation, in some instances free health care, educational assistance, and surviving spouse benefits. But to qualify for VA disability, you must satisfy several eligibility requirements. You must have served in a certain capacity, and your condition must be connected to your military service in some way.
The service requirements for VA disability are that you served on active duty, on active duty training, or qualifying for inactive duty training. As for your medical condition, you must have a diagnosed medical condition, and it must be connected to your military service.
VA Disability Listing for Retinopathy
VA’s schedule for rating disabilities has a listing for retinopathy. The condition involves damage to the retina, which usually occurs when the small blood vessels in the eyes are compromised. This damage can arise because of trauma to the eye region, making it a common condition among military veterans, particularly those who have served in combat or participated in intense training missions.
To start the process today with a free VA disability claim evaluation, call (888) 373-4722.
Filing a VA Disability Appeal for Retinopathy
A VA disability advocate can help you file an appeal and collect benefits for retinopathy. VA recently revamped the appeals process, giving veterans more control over how their appeals are handled and—to the relief of many applicants—making the process faster and more efficient.
However, it is still critical to file an appeal that is thorough, compelling, and contains every piece of supporting documentation needed to make your eligibility clear.
The three most important things your appeal should prove include having a current diagnosis, having suffered a specific event in your military service or that your condition began while you were serving, and an existing nexus between the event or in-service onset and your diagnosis.
Current Diagnosis of Retinopathy
You must submit medical evidence showing a current diagnosis of retinopathy.
Specific Event in Your Military Service
In addition to your diagnosis, you need to identify a specific event in your military service that you feel led to your condition. If coming up with a specific event is difficult, your advocate can help by reviewing your military records with you. Many disabled vets attribute their medical conditions to the general stresses and rigors of military life. Your advocate can help you identify a single event during your service that encapsulates your overall experience.
Nexus Between the Two
It is essential to draw a clear and compelling link between the event in your service and your current diagnosis. Your advocate can help you determine if this link is missing from your evidence and if so, work with you to determine the best way to obtain a nexus opinion for your claim.
To receive a free disability claim evaluation today, call (888) 373-4722.
Your VA Disability Compensation for Retinopathy
Your VA disability compensation for retinopathy depends on your impairment rating. When the VA reviews your appeal and decides to approve you, it assigns you a rating in 10% increments to 100% based on the criteria found in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Your rating will correspond to a monthly compensation level.
As of late 2019, here is what you can expect to receive in VA disability compensation based on your impairment rating for a single veteran with no dependents:
- 10% rating: $142.29 per month
- 20% rating: $281.27 per month
- 40% rating: $627.61 per month
- 60% rating: $1,131.68 per month
Here is the Federal Code of Regulations rating criteria for retinopathy:
- 60% Rating: Documented incapacitating episodes requiring seven or more treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months.
- 40% Rating: Documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least five but less than seven treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months.
- 20% Rating: Documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least three but less than five treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months.
- 10% Rating: With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least one but less than three treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months.
Note that the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye allows for the veteran to be evaluated on the basis of either visual impairment due to the particular condition or on incapacitating episodes, whichever results in a higher evaluation.
Receive a Free VA Disability Claim Evaluation by Calling (888) 373-4722
A VA disability advocate can help you build a successful benefit appeal for retinopathy. You can start collecting the retinopathy veterans benefits you deserve for your service and sacrifice. To start the process today with a free consultation and claim evaluation, call (888) 373-4722.
