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What Can I Claim For Va Disability

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Former Prisoners Of War

Filing a Claim for VA Service-Connection? | Fully Developed Claim | VA Disability | theSITREP

Who Are Former Prisoners of War?

Since World War I, more than 142,000 Americans, including 85 women, have been captured and interned as POWs. Not included in this figure are nearly 93,000 Americans who were lost or never recovered. Only one fifth of America’s former POWs since World War I are still living . More than 90% of living former POWs were captured and interned during World War II. About 15,367 former POWs are in receipt of compensation for service-connected injuries, diseases, or illnesses.

In 1981, Congress passed Public Law 97-37 entitled “Former Prisoners of War Benefit Act.” This law accomplished several things. It established an Advisory Committee on Former Prisoners of War and mandated medical and dental care. It also identified certain diagnoses as presumptive service-connected conditions for former POWs. Subsequent public laws and policy decisions by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs have added additional diagnoses to the list of presumptive conditions .

What Are the Presumptive Conditions for Former POWs?

Today, former POWs are generally entitled to a presumption of service-connection for seven diseases, regardless of the length of captivity, if manifested to a degree of 10 percent or more after discharge or release from active military, naval, or air service. These diseases are:

  • Any of the Anxiety States
  • Dysthymic disorder, or depressive neurosis
  • Post-traumatic osteoarthritis
  • Peripheral Neuropathy, except where directly related to infectious causes

Sleep Apnea Va Claims

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which a persons breathing is repeatedly interrupted during the course of the night. There are three main types:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea, occurs when the throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway during sleep.
  • Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain does not send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
  • Complex sleep apnea occurs when someone has both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

For mild cases of sleep apnea, doctors may suggest lifestyle changes such as losing weight or quitting smoking, if applicable. In more serious cases, doctors may prescribe the use of a continuous positive airway pressure machine.

To confirm a sleep apnea diagnosis for VA disability compensation purposes, VA requires that a sleep study be conducted.

Sleep apnea is rated under 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6847 at 0, 30, 50, or 100 percent depending on the severity.

Summary Always Verify With The Va Or A Veterans Benefits Counselor

VA disability claims can be very complicated. But veterans have access to benefits counselors who will offer free claims assistance. Find a Veterans Service Organization you trust and work with them on your claim. Your representative can help dispel any of the above myths, clear up any misconceptions, and answer your questions. they also have hands on experience with the claims process and can help you avoid problems that might add months or years to your claim.

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How Ssdi And Va Compensation Can Work Together

Fast-track applications

If you have a 100 percent P& T rating from the VA, Social Security will speed up processing of your SSDI claim. To get expedited handling, enter Veteran 100% P& T in the Remarks section of your online application and provide Social Security with the notification letter the VA sent you about your rating.

Regardless of your P& T rating, you may qualify for expedited processing under Social Security’s Wounded Warrior program, which prioritizes claims for veterans who became disabled while on active duty on or after Oct. 1, 2001.

No ‘offset’

Workers compensation and some other types of public disability benefits can trigger what the SSA calls an offset that reduces your Social Security payments. VA disability benefits don’t affect your SSDI or vice versa if you qualify for both programs, each will pay the full amount to which you are entitled.

Health care coverage

If you get SSDI and VA disability benefits, you can receive medical coverage through both.

SSDI recipients are eligible for Medicare, although in most cases there is a two-year waiting period for coverage to begin. Veterans are eligible for coverage under the military’s Tricare program.

If you’re getting both benefits, Medicare becomes your primary payer and Tricare serves as a supplement, covering some cost-sharing, such as copayments and deductibles.

Things To Consider When Hiring A Veterans Disability Lawyer

TDIU Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers compensation to people inflicted with illnesses or injuries while serving in the military. However, with about 25% of the 19 million USA veterans, it can take a long time to get approved for VA disability benefits.

If you want to ensure that you receive approval when you file for your claims, it may be better to work with a veterans disability lawyer. Read on to learn the necessary actions and ensure you do it right.

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Service Connection For Anemia

In order to establish service connection, you would need a diagnosis of the condition, an in-service event or aggravation, and a nexus linking those two.

Anemia is also recognized by the VA as a presumptive condition for qualifying veterans. In this case, VA presumes the condition to be service-connected, even if theres no specific Nexus for service connection.

Once service connection is established, the VA will evaluate your anemia severity using a disability rating system. If you are found to be disabled by your anemia, you may be entitled to receive VA benefits for anemia .

Deserve A Higher Va Rating We Can Help

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According to the Mayo Clinic, some common triggers of IBS in disabled veterans include:

  • #1 Food. The role of food allergy or intolerance in IBS isnt fully understood. A true food allergy rarely causes IBS. But many people have worse IBS symptoms when they eat or drink certain foods or beverages, including wheat, dairy products, citrus fruits, beans, cabbage, milk and carbonated drinks.
  • #2 Stress. Most people with IBS experience worse or more frequent signs and symptoms during periods of increased stress. But while stress may aggravate symptoms, it doesnt cause them.
  • #3 Hormones. Women are 2x as likely to have IBS than men, which might indicate that hormonal changes play a role. Many women find that signs and symptoms are worse during or around their menstrual periods.
  • #4 Medication Side Effects. Many over the counter and prescription medications taken to help manage a variety of physical and mental disabilities in veterans may cause IBS symptoms or make them worse.

Medical research does suggest a link between IBS and veterans with a mental health condition.

Finally, many over the counter and prescription medications taken to help manage a variety of physical and mental disabilities in veterans may lead to IBS symptoms.

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Automobile And Special Adaptive Equipment Grants

Can a Veteran Receive Financial Assistance From VA to Purchase an Automobile?

Yes. Financial assistance, in the form of a grant, is available to purchase a new or used automobile to accommodate a veteran or servicemember with certain disabilities that resulted from an injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military service. The grant may also be paid, if disabilities are a result of medical treatment, examination, vocational rehabilitation, or compensated work therapy provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs .

The grant is paid directly to the seller of the automobile for the total price of the automobile. The veteran or servicemember may only receive the automobile grant once in his/her lifetime.

What Disabilities Must You Have to Qualify for the Automobile Grant?

A veteran or servicemember must have one of the following disabilities to qualify for the automobile grant:

  • loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both feet
  • loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both hands, or
  • permanent impairment of vision in both eyes to a certain degree

Does VA Pay to Adapt a Vehicle?

Yes. Those qualified for the automobile grant, and veterans or servicemembers with ankylosis of one or both knees or hips resulting from an injury or disease incurred or aggravated by active military service may also qualify for the adaptive equipment grant.

The adaptive equipment grant may be paid more than once, and it may be paid to either the seller or the veteran.

We Wouldnt Miss Your Retirement Party

How to File a VA Disability Claim

When most people think of Social Security, they think of retirement benefits with good reason. But we are more than retirement benefits we offer many online tools to help you plan for your future.

to verify your earnings and see an estimate of future benefits throughout your career and into retirement.

With a mySocial Security account, you can estimate your future benefits at different ages when you may want to start receiving benefits.

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Degenerative Arthritis Of The Spine Va Disability Claims

Degenerative arthritis occurs when the cartilage between joints erodes over time resulting in joint stiffness, limited mobility, and pain. It usually occurs in weight-bearing joints, such as the back, hips, or knees.

Degenerative arthritis is rated based on the limitation of range of motion of the affected joint under 38 CFR § 4.71a at 10 or 20 percent.

What Evidence Will I Need To Provide To Support My Claim

You can help to support your VA disability claim by providing documents such as:

  • VA medical records and hospital records that relate to your claimed illnesses or injuries or that show your rated disability has gotten worse
  • Private medical records and hospital reports that relate to your claimed illnesses or injuries or that show your disability has gotten worse
  • Supporting statements youd like to provide 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 or how it got worse

Depending on the type of claim you file, you may gather supporting documents yourself, or you can ask for our help to gather evidence.

Well also review your discharge papers and service treatment records.

Please note: You dont have to submit any evidence to support your claim, but we may need to schedule a claim exam so we can learn more about your condition.

You should also know that you have up to a year from the date we receive your claim to turn in any evidence. If you start your application and need time to gather more supporting documents, you can save your application and come back later to finish it. Well recognize the date you started your application as your date of claim as long as you complete it within 365 days.

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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.

Va Disability Tips & Tricks: Easiest Things To Claim For Va Disability

Is Your VA Disability Claim Evidence Worth 5 Stars?

If youve done any research about VA Disability Compensation and the easiest things to claim for VA disability, then you know it takes a while. Youve also likely heard that the process can take a while and that filing a claim will eventually lead to frustration.

What youre not likely to read though, is how to apply for VA disability compensation. The initial application is actually easy if you know what you are doing.

However, someone who hasnt researched the process may get a little confused. Actually, you may end up filling out a lot more than you need to if you just file without preparing your info in advance. Youre in luck, though.

Ive actually filled out a lot of these applications in the past, and Ive learned a few VA disability tips and tricks along the way. Here are 7 hacks for filling out the initial application for VA benefits.

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Have A Good Understanding Of Your Claims

After you fill out your name, address, phone number, and a bunch of other standard pieces of information on the form, there will be a place for you to list your claims. In other words, box 11 is where you submit the disabilities in which you want to be connected for through the VA.

This is one of those times you dont want to be vague or assume the VA knows what you mean. Be specific. Dont list your knee as a condition, list your specific knee. Here is something I learned from completing these forms.

Many individuals will tell me that they want to file for nerves. To me, that means nerve pain. Its something like nerve pain, neuropathy or something similar. What they actually mean is a mental condition like depression or PTSD. Make sure you also get the terminology correct too.

Ive often seen male Veterans apply for Post-Partum Depression when they meant PTSD, or theyll get the letters wrong, and file for something like PTSS. Keep in mind, the VA is fickle.

Also, if you have diabetes, dont list your condition as sugar. You cant assume the VA will know what you mean by a term. If you tell me in person that you need to apply for your sugar, I can reply: Do you mean diabetes? The VA cant ask you a follow-up question for something that is written on a form.

This is also the time that you need to list where you were treated, and when you were diagnosed. Dont fret if you dont know the exact date. Just fill it out to the best of your abilities.

Most Common Va Disability Claim #: Hearing Loss

According to the 2018-2019 disability claims data, Hearing Loss was the #2 most commonly claimed disability for all Veterans. 93.6% of Veterans were rated between 0% and 10%. It is very common for hearing loss to be rated at 0%, that is, if youre lucky enough to get your hearing loss service connected.

The Audiogram is the only way to detect and diagnosis hearing loss!

If you have hearingloss, that does not mean that it is significant enough by VA standards toreceive compensation.

The first step is to prove that you have a certain level ofhearing loss.

The VA considers twofactors for rating hearing loss after an examination:

An audiogram measuresthe level of decibel loss at the various thresholds.

For VA purposes, anaverage loss of 26 or more decibels in three of the five frequency rangesconstitutes hearing loss.

Speech discrimination how well you can hear normal conversation

This test involves thepresentation of a series of monosyllabic words and determining how well you canhear them.

A speech recognitionscore of lower than 94% corresponds to a number related to hearing loss.

Even if an audiogramshows that one ear is 100% deaf, you are still not guaranteed compensation.

If the hearing loss inthe other ear is not significant, your likelihood of receiving benefitsdecreases.

Service Connected Hearing Loss

The second step relates to service-connection for the hearing loss.

Depending on your MOS, your chances of getting benefits may increase or decrease.

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Help With Your Va Disability Claim

If you need assistance with your disability claim, you can visit your local VA office. You may also get help from a disability lawyer. An experienced disability benefits attorney can review your claim, gather vital evidence, and prepare the necessary paperwork to help you receive the compensation you deserve. If youve been injured in service to your country, we can assist you with your VA benefits claim. Call us today or complete the contact form on this page.

Related Links:

Our Accredited National Service Officers Are Ready To Help You Navigate The Va Benefits Process

Expedited VA Claim: How to Fast Track Your VA Disability Claim

Getting help with VA claims and obtaining the benefits you’ve earned doesnt have to be complicated. The Wounded Warrior Project® team of accredited National Service Officers are experts in navigating the Veterans Affairs claims process, and we are dedicated to helping you get the benefits youve earned in a manner that honors your service.

“My Benefits Services representative was by far the best benefits counselor that Ive had. She was very understanding to my needs and helped me to understand the process along the way.”

Petty Officer 2nd Class Ebony T., U.S. Navy

“My Benefits Services representative always went above and beyond, even when she was out sick she would still respond to my messages making sure I understood the next steps that needed to be taken and followed up with me when they were done to explain what was going to happen next.”

SFC. Randy H., U.S. Army Ret.

“The experience has helped me a lot. I did not have assistance when I first exited the military so to have someone that can help guide me through the claims process has been very beneficial.”

Staff Sgt. Seretha A., U.S. Army

Corporal Kyle S., U.S. Army

Maj. Brian J., USMC Ret.

“My Benefits Services representative was absolutely amazing. She ensured I understood and was aware of everything that was put out from my VA claim. She encouraged me to keep going when I wanted to give on the process.”

Sgt. Quiani M., U.S. Army

Corporal Christopher V., U.S. Army

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