How Can You Score A 100% Va Disability Rating
Obtaining a 100% VA disability rating is a complex and arduous process. Before providing assistance and benefits, the VA will require you to submit documents and evidence that will support your disability claim.
A veteran may receive a 100% disability rating from the VA if they have only one disability that meets the criteria, or if they have two or more disabilities that, when added together, equal 100%. Here are some of the essential things to do to achieve a 100% VA disability rating and get the maximum compensation.
About The Va Disability Rating System
Veterans with a disability that developed or worsened while serving in the military or due to military service may be eligible for Service-Connected disability pay.
Conditions covered by these benefits typically include:
- Physical disabilities including hearing loss, chronic back pain, asthma and cancers caused by contact with toxic chemicals.
- Mental disabilities including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder , depression and traumatic brain injury .
Find a complete list of covered conditions here.
For every disability claim, the Department of Veterans Affairs assigns a severity rating ranging from 0-100%. This rating moves in 10% increments, is based on service treatment records, VA medical records, and private medical records directly relating to the disability.
For Veterans with more than one disability, the VA uses the combined rating table to calculate your disability percentage.
Assistance With Your Claims And Appeals
PTSD is an all-too-common condition suffered by veterans, and no matter how mild or severe it may be, it warrants compensation from VA. Build the strongest case you can to file a claim or an appeal with us today. You can contact us at 844-VET-LAWS to ensure that you receive the appropriate compensation for your PTSD.
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Issues With Va Compensation Rates
An issue with the current Compensation Benefits Rate Tables is that the amount of compensation benefits doesnt always keep up with changes in the economy. While the cost of living continues to rise, the rates for VA benefits havent changed since 2009.
Again, when veterans suffer from two or more service-connected disabilities, the veteran must combine them according to the VA Combined Ratings Table.
Using what many veterans call VA Math, under the Combined Rating Table, two 50% disability ratings do not add up to a 100% rating as most people would expect. Instead, two 50% disabilities are combined to give a veteran a 75% disability rating .
As another example, a veteran who has two service-connected disabilities with a 50% disability rating for each is entitled only to a higher rating of 80% disability rating which pays $1,778.43 in 2022.
Again, $1,778.43 is not 80% of the $3,332 that the veteran with a 100% disability rating receives in 2022. The veteran with the 80% disability rating receives just over half the amount that the veteran with the 100% disability rating receives.
Va Disability Fuzzy Math Example:
Veterans must understand that theyre battling against theVAs fuzzy math calculation when trying to increase their service-connected VArating.
If youre trying to go from 70% to 100% or 80% to 100%, youmust layer in some High Value Claims or increase the VA rating on conditionsalready service connected, otherwise, you simply cant get theremathematically.
VA disabilities are NOT cumulativeinstead, they are factored into each other, in order, from highest VA rating down to lowest rating, and multiplied against one another to determine your overall combined VA disability rating.
If you have more than one disability rating from the VA, youcan use the top-rated VA Disability Calculator to compute your combined ratingin two simple steps.
> > Click HERE to access the best VA Disability Calculator < <
VA fuzzy math computes the remaining efficiency aftercalculating each disability, starting from the highest rated disability down tothe lowest.
For example, a 30% rating for your Back Condition and a 60%rating for your GERD would be 72% rounded down to 70%.
60% of your body is disabled, which leaves or 40% healthy.
The next highest disability is 30%, so you multiply thisdisability by the remaining healthy percentage in your body , which is then added to the disabled part.
So, youre 60% disabled plus the 12% disabled = 72% disabled, which rounds down to 70%.
This process continues until youve exhausted the combinedrating calculation.
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Fortify The Veterans Occupational Disabilities
Sometimes PTSD ratings are often focused more on social factors instead of occupational factors.
The challenges you face concerning your capacity to work and earn a substantial, gainful living is at the core of your VA disability claim. When we file for increased ratings, we develop a strong case centered on occupational factors in addition to social issues. Credible evidence that demonstrates the frequency, severity, and duration of psychiatric symptoms is what it takes to support a claim that your PTSD symptoms impair your ability to obtain and keep steady work.
Tips To Obtain A 100 Percent Va Disability Rating
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Who Are Eligible For 100% Va Disability Rating
Veterans seeking a 100% VA disability rating must meet the VAs eligibility requirements. Here is a summary of VA guidelines:
- Veterans who are dishonorably discharged are ineligible for VA disability benefits.
- Veterans must have been classified as active-duty personnel.
- Veterans must have mental or physical disabilities caused or exacerbated by their military service.
- All military branches are eligible, including the Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
- National Guard and Reserve members who have been activated by the federal government may be eligible.
Who Can Get A 100 Percent Va Disability Rating
Veterans that wish to receive a 100 percent VA disability rating must be eligible by the VA guidelines. Eligibility for VA disability benefits is complicated and often the VA tells eligible veterans that they are not able to receive VA disability benefits. Here is a generalization of VA guidelines:
- Veterans with dishonorable discharges are not eligible for VA disability benefits.
- Veterans must have been considered active-duty.
- Veterans must have a mental or physical impairments that are caused or worsened by military service.
- All branches of the military are eligible: Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard.
- National Guard and Reservists can be eligible if they were activated by the federal government.
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Musculoskeletal Conditions And Va Disability Rating Percentages
These include strains, sprains, arthritis, reduced flexion, and reduced functionality in arms, legs, back, and neck. Most former infantry will not be surprised to learn that knee and ankle injuries were among the most commonly-approved claims.
To be considered for disability benefits for a musculoskeletal disorder or injury, youll want to be able to show some persistent and recurring symptoms. Common symptoms of musculoskeletal injuries or disorders include:
- Injuries in other areas of the body .
If you are rated for any of these issues as a primary medical condition, you may be able to put in a VA disability application for a musculoskeletal issue. Depending on the circumstances, this could get you another 10% to 20% added to your disability rating.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of these claims receive a VA disability rating of 20% or less.
Contact Us About A Proper Va Disability Rating For Ptsd
If your loved one is disabled by service-connected PTSD, we can help you ensure that he or she is paid the full government benefit promised to them. The experienced attorneys of Disability Law Group are knowledgeable about both VA and Social Security Disability benefits and how best to recover disability payments that will ensure your and your familys financial security.
Please contact us by phone or email, or fill out one of the contact forms on our website, so we can get started helping help you and your family.
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How Can I Get 100% Va Disability Rating
The highest percentage that can be given for service-connected compensation purposes is a 100 percent VA disability rating, or total disability rating. This rating is only available to veterans with extremely debilitating service-connected ailments that make them unable to work and mostly unable to care for themselves. You start by filing a service connected claim. You may also want to consider VA unemployability with VA Form 21-8940.
If you are unable to work and need someone to help take care of you, then a 100 percent rating may be appropriate.
Disability ratings range from 10% to 100%. The idea behind these ratings is that the veteran should be compensated according to the impairment that the disability would cause to the average persons ability to earn a living. This compensation generally comes in the form of monthly payments.
Types Of 100 Percent Va Disability Ratings
Total disability ratings, or 100 percent disability ratings, from the Department of Veterans Affairs are often confusing to veterans, particularly because they are unsure if they can work after receiving this rating.
The Savannah veterans disability attorneys of The Nye Law Group have put together a helpful guide to 100 percent VA disability ratings. The guide explains the different types of total disability ratings and when you can work if you have received one of these ratings.
If you are struggling to obtain the benefits you are entitled, our experienced VA disability lawyers may be able to help you. Contact us today for a free, no obligation legal consultation.
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Va Claims Processes And The 100% Permanent And Total Disability Rating
The VA claims review process for assigning disability ratings is based on the nature of the medical issue, when and how it developed and whether or not the problem is service-connected or permanent.
If you cant hold down a steady job to support yourself, you may also qualify for individual unemployability. Youll need to file the following additional forms with your disability claim:
- VA Form 21-8940, Veterans Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability
- VA Form 21-4192, Request for Employment Information in Connection with Claim for Disability Benefits
The Injury Or Illness Must Have:
- Occurred during military service
- Existed before joining the military but was made worse during service
- Appeared after leaving the armed forces but is service-connected
One of the primary VA disability benefits includes monthly cash payments. The payment amount will depend on your disability rating and whether you have any dependent family members.
Cash payments are intended to make up for the veterans impaired earning ability due to his or her military service. Veterans whose disabilities prevent them from working altogether should be entitled to a 100 percent disability rating. When you are fully disabled, the correct cash payments can make all the difference in supporting yourself financially.
The amount of 100 percent disability payments changes annually to account for a cost-of-living adjustment determined by the Social Security Administration. To learn the current years amounts, visit here.
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Possible Complications To Tinnitus
The following conditions may contribute to your tinnitus issues:
- Head and neck conditions
For example, high blood pressure can aggravate tinnitus, as can head and neck conditions and traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs.
Tip: If youre already rated for one of these conditions, but not for tinnitus, it may make sense to put an additional VA disability claim for tinnitus as a secondary condition. Because youve already proved to the VAs satisfaction that you have one of these disabling medical conditions and that there is a service connection to them, you have a very high likelihood that your application for tinnitus benefits will get approved.
Obviously, most veterans have been exposed to loud noises while in the service either in loud training and operational environments or by exposure to explosions and gunfire. For this reason, veterans are among the highest risk for tinnitus.
How Hard Is It To Get A 100% Va Disability Rating
It can be tricky to earn a 100 percent VA disability rating when a veteran has more than one disability. Receiving a combined disability rating is a complicated process in which 50% plus 50% does not equal 100% but, rather, 75%.
The closer a veteran gets to a 100% disability rating, the harder it seems to be to obtain one. For example, once a veteran is rated 80% disabled, each additional 10% disability only adds 2% to his total rating rather than an additional 10%.
Meeting the criteria for a 100% VA rating on the rating schedule, or combining multiple disabilities to obtain a 100% rating, can be very difficult. However, failure to meet those criteria does not mean that a veteran is not totally disabled. For this reason, the VA regulations provide an alternate route to a total disability ratingindividual unemployability.
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Va Rating Criteria For Ptsd
With the exception of eating disorders, VA regulates all mental health conditions on the same criteria. Mental health conditions may be rated at 0, 10, 30, 50, 70, or 100 percent under VAs General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders . The requirements for service connection at each rating level are listed below.
- 100% total occupational and social impairment, due to such symptoms as:
- gross impairment in thought processes or communication persistent delusions or hallucinations grossly inappropriate behavior persistent danger of hurting self or others intermittent inability to perform activities of daily living disorientation to time or place memory loss for names of close relatives, own occupation, or own name
Percentage Of Vets Claims Approved
Per the VAs own data, they report 2018 as one of the most successful years for the VAs decision-making team. The number of veterans claims approved in 2018 was around 35.75 percent. In that 35.75% , 19.61% were approved with zero remand issues, and 16.14% were allowed with at least one remand issue.
If 2018 is any indication, less than half of service members disability claims are approved. To be in the successful 35.75% of claims it is important to fully fill out your claims paperwork and provide as much documentation as possible.
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Sign And Date Your Name
In part 4,you need to sign and date your name.
Here is anexample of how to write this section:
Signed, , January 23, 2019.
I CERTIFY THAT the statements on this form are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Think you might need a VA Sworn Declaration? Click HERE for an example.
What Are My Chances Of Getting A 100 Percent Va Disability Rating
There is no set percentage of veterans that the Veterans Administration must deny or approve. Your chances of getting a 100 percent VA disability rating depend solely upon your own claims merits.
You will be approved or denied for VA disability benefits based upon your evidence presented for mental and physical impairments. If you are not treating for a mental or physical impairment, we highly suggest you do so. Presenting evidence is the best way to win your VA disability benefits and obtain a 100 percent rating.
Lots of veterans are applying for VA disability benefits. The Boston Globe reports that 45% of new veterans are applying for disability benefits. A staggering 45 percent of the 1.6 million veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now seeking compensation for injuries they say are service-related. That is more than double the estimate of 21 percent who filed such claims after the Gulf War in the early 1990s, top government officials said.
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Get The Benefits You Deserve
contact one of our consultants today for a free evaluation of your VA claim
When the time to discharge or retire from military service comes, receiving a disability rating for any injuries you sustained during your service is necessary for returning to civilian life.
Through the VA disability rating process, the Department of Veteran Affairs determines the level of compensation you are entitled to for service-connected medical conditions.
Most disabled veterans incorrectly assume that this is a one-time-only process. Therefore, it is important to note that if you feel your conditions have worsened, you have the right to claim a fair disability rating for fair compensation.