Tips for Getting Started on Receiving Veterans Disability Benefits

According to the U.S. Census, nearly one-quarter of veterans live with some type of disability related to their years of service and dedication. As a veteran living with a disability, you are entitled to disability benefits, but if you’re like millions of other veterans, you may struggle with the frustration and confusion of how to file a claim or how to handle a denial.

We’ll cover the basics so you can get started on the right track to receiving the benefits that you deserve as a U.S. veteran.

When To File a Claim

Despite a large number of veterans living with a disability and receive compensation for their injury or disability, many suffer from a physical or mental disability and don’t know that they qualify for veteran’s benefits.

Are you unsure whether or not your health condition is directly related to your years of service? Your primary healthcare provider or a specialist should be able to help you determine if you are an eligible candidate for benefits. It’s better to file a claim for benefits sooner than later, but depending on your injury or disability, you may be able to secure benefits years after your active duty.

Don’t hesitate to file a claim even if you’re missing some documentation. There are numerous resources and people who are trained to help veterans file claims and other paperwork related to disability benefits for veterans. We strongly recommend connecting with a disability attorney.

Many people assume that they need to wait until a denial or another issue before they seek legal counsel, but a disability attorney may actually help you avoid problems from the beginning of the process.

How Much Can You Receive in Benefits?

Some veterans may think that their disability is too small to receive any compensation, and will decide that it’s too much trouble to go through the paperwork process and waiting. Depending on your disability and other life factors the monthly amount that you qualify for will vary greatly, but with a 10 percent disability, you may be eligible for over $100 a month.

This free online disability calculator at https://ptsdlawyers.com/va-disability-rates-benefits/va-disability-calculator/ can give you a general idea of how much you could receive in veteran benefits every month. Keep in mind that the amount may be different depending on your situation.

Dealing with a Denial and Other Information

Once you have submitted paperwork for benefits, the waiting game can be a frustrating experience and even more so if you end up needing to send in more paperwork or are initially denied.

If your application for benefits is denied, don’t give up. You can file an appeal, and if at any time you are confused by the information you have or whether or not you are taking the right steps a disability attorney can help you by answering any questions and guiding you in the right direction.