Service Connection For Chronic Sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis can be caused by any number of things that veterans may experience while serving on active duty. For example, a veteran may suffer facial injuries that result in a deviated septum, which then leads them to develop chronic sinusitis. In other instances, veterans may be exposed to air pollutants and toxins emitted from burn pits. Inhaling toxic substances such as asbestos and contaminants can lead to complications with sinus functioning in the future. Service connection for chronic this condition can be established in several different ways:
Va Disability Ratings Are Not Always Permanent
Many disability ratings are temporary and the VA retains the right to reexamine the disability rating at any time. If they wish to reexamine you, you will receive a Notice of Reexamination letter in the mail which will include a scheduled appointment date.
Make sure you attend this appointment or reschedule, as the VA can reduce or terminate your benefits rating if you fail to attend this scheduled appointment. After the VA reexamines your condition, they will make a recommendation to increase, decrease, or leave your benefit at its current rating.
There are times when your ratings may be protected, based on the type of disability, how long you have held the rating, your age, or other factors. Here is more information about VA Disability Reexaminations and Benefits Reductions.
What Evidence Can You Use To Prove Your Condition Is Getting Worse
One of the most important pieces of evidence you can use to prove your disability is getting worse is your medical records. You can use records from a VA hospital or another public or private military service hospital. Records that reflect your hospitalization, medications, and treatment plans including therapy, are crucial to proving your case.
The good news is that youve already been approved for your initial claim, so you dont have to go to the lengths this time around that you did when you initially had to show your disability. You simply need to provide proof that things have changed, and if you have difficulty obtaining this proof, one of our skilled VA attorneys can help you get it. In addition to updated medical records, the VA may also require you to undergo a medical exam with one of their appointed medical professionals, so it is good to be aware of that ahead of time.
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Who Assigns Va Disability Ratings
Typically, VA disability ratings are assigned by Rating Officers, such as Decision Review or Higher-Level Review Officers, at the Regional Office level, or by Board Members at the Board of Veterans Appeals. The type of rating official issuing a disability evaluation depends on the level at which your case resides . To rate each service-connected condition, adjudicators use the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities . Under that schedule, each disability is assigned to a specific diagnostic code and rated in increments of 10 percent.
How Much Does Va Pay For Veterans Disability Compensation
Unlike Social Security disability which is considered total disability, The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes partial disability up to 100% tied to ever increasing levels of inability to maintain gainful employment.
If a claim is approved, VA will assign a disability rating from 0% to 100%. A 0% disability rating does not pay any benefit. Why then would one want such a rating? The answer is that by receiving a 0% rating, your Regional Office Veterans Service Center has recognized that the disability is service-connected. You have already overcome a large hurdle towards getting a benefit. If, in the future, the disability worsens or causes a secondary disability, then service connection is already established and you now only have to provide evidence that the condition has worsened or that it has caused a secondary condition.
We post the rates for 2020 below. You will notice that the difference between 90% and 100% is significant. This represents the loss of earnings capacity between someone who might possibly still be employed and someone who at 100% is considered unemployable.
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Factors That Can Affect The Time It Takes To Begin Receiving Va Disability Benefits
The VA estimates that it takes them 94 days to review a VA disability application. However, many cases take much longer than that. Here are some factors that can shorten or extend the time it takes to reach a decision:
- Type of claim filed. There are many different types of claims filed for disability benefits, and some take longer than others to process. For example, if you file your claim under the fully developed claim program, you may receive a quicker decision. However, if you must appeal a denial of benefits or are reopening your claim, it could take longer to obtain the evidence you need and for the VA to review it.
- Number of disabilities claimed. The number of disabilities or injuries you are claiming benefits for, and their complexity, can affect how long the application process will take. If you have numerous, complex injuries, it will take the VA longer to make a decision.
- Evidence needed. If you do not include all the evidence necessary to support your application or the VA requests additional documents, this could slow down the VA review process.
- Field office location. The time period can also be affected by the field office where you file your claim. If you live near one that serves more Veterans, it could take longer for the VA to reach a decision than if you lived near an office that serves fewer Veterans.
Of 10 Most Common Va Disability Claims: Hearing Loss
Hearing Loss was the #2 most commonly claimed disability for all Veterans, with 93.6% of Veterans rated between 0% and 10%. It is very common for hearing loss to be rated at 0%,unless you are able to get your hearing loss service connected.
The Audiogram is the only way to detect and diagnosis hearing loss!
If you have hearing loss, that does not mean that it is significant enough by VA standards to receive compensation.
The first step is to prove that you have a certain level of hearing loss.
The VA considers two factors for rating hearing loss after an examination:
An audiogram measures the level of decibel loss at the various thresholds.
For VA purposes, an average loss of 26 or more decibels in three of the five frequency ranges constitutes hearing loss.
Speech discrimination how well you can hear normal conversation
This test involves the presentation of a series of monosyllabic words and determining how well you can hear them.
A speech recognition score of lower than 94% corresponds to a number related to hearing loss.
Even if an audiogram shows that one ear is 100% deaf, you are still not guaranteed compensation.
If the hearing loss in the other ear is not significant, your likelihood of receiving benefits decreases.
Service Connected Hearing Loss
The second step relates to service-connection for the hearing loss.
Determining that your hearing loss is connected to your time in service can make or break whether you receive compensation.
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How Many Veterans Receive Disability Compensation
- Total number of Wake County veterans who received Disability Compensation: 9,680
- Number of veterans who had a zero to 20 percent disability rating: 2,840
- Number of veterans who had a 30 to 40 percent disability rating: 1,849
- Number of veterans who had a 50 to 60 percent disability rating: 1,571
- Number of veterans who had a 70 to 90 percent disability rating: 2,420
- Number of veterans who had a 100 percent disability rating: 1,180
- Approximate ratio of male to female Veteran Disability recipients: 8.9 to 1.3
- Recipients under age 35: 1,443
- Recipients ages 34 to 44: 1,690
- Recipients ages 45 to 54: 2,144
- Recipients ages 55 to 64: 1,830
- Recipients ages 65 to 74: 2,217
Special Monthly Compensation Rates For Veterans With Dependents Including Children
Effective December 1, 2020
Levels L through O cover specific disabilities and situations. Learn how we assign SMC levels L through O
Level R may apply if you need daily help from another person for basic needs .
Level S may apply if you cant leave the house because of your service-connected disabilities.
Start with the Basic SMC rates table. Find the dependent status in the left column that best describes you. Then look for your SMC letter designation in the top row. Your monthly basic rate is where your dependent status and SMC letter meet.
If you have more than one child or your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits, be sure to also look at the Added amounts table, and add these to your amount from the Basic SMC rates table.
| With 1 child and spouse | |
| With 1 child, spouse, and 1 parent | SMC-L |
| With 1 child, spouse, and 2 parents | SMC-L |
| With 1 child and 1 parent | |
| With 1 child and 2 parents |
| Each additional child under age 18 | SMC-L | ||
| Each additional child over age 18 in a qualifying school program | SMC-L | ||
| Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance | SMC-L | SMC-N | 160.89 |
Start with the Basic SMC rates table. Find the dependent status in the left column that best describes you. Then look for your SMC letter designation in the top row. Your monthly basic rate is where your dependent status and SMC letter meet.
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Va Disability Rates Charts Effective 12/1/2020
Basic Rates 10% 100% Combined Degree Only.
| 10% 20% |
| Veteran with Spouse & One Parent | $535.35 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $577.35 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $48.00 |
| Veteran with Spouse and One Parent | $1,664.71 |
| Veteran with Spouse and Two Parents | $1,762.71 |
| Additional for A/A spouse | $113.00 |
| Veteran with 1 child only | $476.35 |
| With 1 child and spouse | $532.35 |
| With 1 child, spouse and 1 parent | $574.35 |
| With 1 child, spouse, and 2 parents | $616.35 |
| With 1 child and 1 parent | $518.35 |
| With 1 child and 2 parents | $560.35 |
| Each additional child under age 18 | $26.00 |
| Add. child over 18 in a qualifying school program | $84.00 |
| Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance | $48.00 |
| Veteran with 1 child only | $1,526.71 |
| With 1 child and spouse | $1,656.71 |
| With 1 child, spouse and 1 parent | $1,754.71 |
| With 1 child, spouse, and 2 parents | $1,852.71 |
| With 1 child and 1 parent | $1,624.71 |
| With 1 child and 2 parents | $1,722.71 |
| Each additional child under age 18 | $61.00 |
| Add. child over 18 in a qualifying school program | $197.00 |
| Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance | $113.00 |
Ssa Expedited Processing For Veterans
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You Filled Out The Wrong Forms
Sometimes, the VA denies veterans their disability claims because they filled out the wrong forms. The application process is long and involves lengthy documentation. It is completely understandable that Veterans would sometimes make mistakes throughout the process.
Even the right form number may not be enough if you are using an outdated version. When new versions of forms are released, it makes the old version obsolete, and a Veteran may complete the old version without knowing that the VA will reject it.
Working with a competent lawyer for VA disability can help make sure you complete all of the necessary forms correctly.
Approval Rates At Different Ages
Our survey revealed an upward curve in approval rates for SSDI from younger readers to those in their sixties. About half of readers age 50 or older were ultimately approved, while nearly two-thirds of those in the 60-65 age group received benefits. Social Security recognizes that people in their fifties and sixties are more likely to have medical conditions that have deteriorated to the point where they can no longer work, and Social Security’s “grid” rules support this reality.
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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.
Are 100% Va Ratings Permanent
Importantly, a 100 percent disability rating is not automatically permanent however, there are certain situations in which a 100 percent rating is granted permanent status. For example, if a 100 percent disability rating is in place for 20 years or more, VA is not going to reduce that rating unless there is evidence of fraud in the initial rating being assigned. If it is less than 20 years, VA can pursue a rating reduction, but there needs to be both material improvement and improvement under ordinary conditions. VA cannot rely on a simple examination showing improvement when issuing a rating reduction.
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Your Claim Is Still In Process
As a veteran, you may think that the VA has denied your claim because you havent received a response to your application in months, or even years. However, the VA is most likely still reviewing your application and processing your claim.
If you havent heard back about your application, you can check the current status on eBenefits, ask your legal representative or VSO, or directly contact the VA.
Why Your Rating And Benefits Could Decrease
Before you ask for an increase in your VA rating, be sure youre making the request strictly because you believe your disability has become worse. You shouldnt request an increase if:
- You need more money to keep up with the cost of living,
- You have additional financial responsibilities,
- You are suffering sudden financial hardships
The VA wont award an increase for these reasons. But if you believe your condition has truly deteriorated, you can complete and file a form 21-526b, Veteran’s Supplemental Claim for Compensation or a form 21-526EZ to the VA Regional Office stating why you believe the increase is proper and appropriate along with medical evidence that supports the worsening state of your disability.
It seems logical that if youre awarded a higher disability rating, you will receive a larger monthly check from the VA. However, the process doesnt always work that way. Its possible that a small increase added to your rating will have little impact on the amount of your compensation.
For example, if your rating is already at 60 percent, an increase of 10 percent may not impact the bottom line. The VA uses complicated formulas and combined ratings tables to decide the percentage. Thus, an attorney experienced in VA disability benefits can help determine if youre likely to receive an increased rating and an increase in financial compensation.
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Of 10 Most Common Va Disability Claims: Scars General
Scars were the #4 most compensated claims for all Veterans, across all demographics.
76.2% of Veterans are rated at 0% for skin conditions and 18.6% of Veterans have a 10% rating for skin conditions.
Veterans can take their own color photos of skin conditions for your VA Claims File, also known as your C-File.
You can upload the color photos to your eBenefits account or VA.gov account once you prepare and file your own VA Claim.
Disability Or Death Due To A Hospital Stay
If we get a claim within one year after the date the Veteran suffered an injury, or their existing injury got worse, the effective date is the date the injury happened or when it began to get worse.
If we get a claim within one year of the date of a Veterans death, the effective date is the first day of the month in which the Veteran died.
If we get a claim more than one year after a Veteran suffered an injury, their injury got worse, or they died, the effective date is the date we get the claim.
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