Va Disability and what can I claim .

Veterans, if you have ever asked yourselves “what can I claim for a VA disability?” Stay tuned. In this blog series I will discuss what is required to file for a VA disability claim, presumptive diagnosis, and discuss in detail the top 10 most common VA disability claims. So, let us start with what is required to file a VA disability claim.

What is required to file for a VA disability claim:

1. Onset of an illness or injury during active-duty service

2. Treatment records consistent with the timeframe of illness or injury and the date of the claim.

3. Current diagnosis

What you will need:

1. All private medical records related to the claimed condition, like reports from your own doctor or X-rays or other test results from a non-VA hospital or other treatment center, and

Any records of medical treatment you’ve received for the claimed condition while serving in the military, and

2. Any military personnel records you have that relate to the claimed condition, and

information about any related health records from a federal facility like a VA medical center or clinic

3. If you think your service records don’t include a description of your disability, you can also submit letters from family members, friends, clergy members, law enforcement personnel, or those you served with that can tell us more about your claimed condition and how and when it happened.

Here is what you can do to help yourself and VA:

1. Communicate and be patient. This is the Government everything moves slowly.

2. Appoint a representative. While there are attorneys who will represent you for a fee, it is rarely necessary to pay to have your claim processed efficiently and successfully. National Service Organizations such as the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, as well as State Departments of Veterans Affairs or Veterans Commissions and County Veteran Service Officers can give excellent assistance and its free. Call your local regional office to see what organizations are available at that office.

3.Consider what you want to claim. Many veterans are told they should go through their service medical records and claim everything they have ever had or been treated for. While that is an

option, it is likely to significantly increase your frustration level, result in unnecessary examinations, can become quite expensive (especially if you’re paying for a private medical opinion or going through a private company), and slows the process without adding any additional benefits. You should not claim acute disabilities or illnesses you had in service unless they left a residual. For example, if you got a stomach virus and got over it, the claim will be denied. On the other hand, if you broke your arm, have diagnostic studies of the fracture (for example X-ray), recovered from it, and later developed arthritis at the site, you should definitely pursue that. Our providers at Precision Health DPC or your personal representative can help guide you on whether a claim is worthy of pursuing

4. If you have been treated by the VA or a private provider, get the records and send them to us. While our intake forms you fill out does offer the opportunity to sign a release and we will request the records for you, we cannot compel providers to send us records nor can we pay for them

5. Show up for your examinations.

6. The first thing you will get from VA once you file your claim is a lengthy letter commonly referred to as a “VCAA letter.” This is a letter required by the law that tells you what the VA will do, what you will be expected to do, and in very general terms tells you how the VA will decide. The letter may also include specific requests from your local regional office for information. Read it carefully for specific requests for information from the VA. Finally, the letter offers the option of completing an attachment telling the VA you have no more information. If that is the case, complete the form and return it immediately. If you don’t and you have no more information, the VA will wait for 30 days before proceeding. Even if, during the course of working the claim you do get additional information you can always submit it when you get it.

7. When you get your decision, read it carefully. It will have attached to it the text of the actual rating decision explaining why the VA decided the way it did. If you think the VA’s decision didn’t consider something, didn’t cover a topic, or is wrong, call your representative right away.

Final Thoughts:

The claims process doesn’t have to be stressful. There are people who can help you along the way. Let us know how Precision Health DPC can help you with your VA disability claim. Stay tuned for the next blog post where we will discuss presumptive diagnosis.

References

VA disability compensation | Veterans Affairs. (2019, December 3). Veterans Affairs. https://www.va.gov/disability/

Some Tips for Filing a VA Disability Claim. (2011, January 4). VAntage Point. https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/1089/some-tips-for-filing-a-va-disability-claim/