Almost one third of all veterans ages 21 to 64 report having some form of disability. While many leave the military with disabilities, some existing conditions can be worsened by military service. And while there are programs in place to help veterans in need, many don’t know where or how to go about doing so.
Veterans disability claims can be tough to navigate. Those in need may often find themselves overwhelmed and confused when going through the process.
To make life easier, here’s a quick and clear guide to get you through the application process so you can receive your military disability benefits by using a veterans disability calculator.
How to Apply
There are a number of ways to file a disability claim and qualify for benefits. The easiest and most direct way for many is to visit the website for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affair where an application is listed. There are steps to guide you through, but if an questions are confusing, and you wish to speak to someone while you apply, you can call the VA and apply by phone at 800-827-1000. If you have trouble hearing, apply by calling the TDD line at 800-829-4833. If you served in the U.S. Military but do not live in the U.S., you can apply by calling 412-395-6272.
You can also apply by mail. The mail-in form is also found on the VA website. You can print it out and send it to the address provided.
If none of these options appeal to you, you can always visit your local VA office and apply in person.
When to Apply
If you are suffering from a disability related to your military service, file a disability claim immediately. This way, you can receive your benefits at the earliest possible date. You do not have to have all of your documentation on hand, you can always file them later.
Listing Your Conditions
In order to receive compensation, you have to list all of you sustained illnesses, injuries in detail. You should provide the dates you began experiencing symptoms as well as a description of the symptoms. The more disabilities you list, the longer it will take for your claim to process, so it is advised that you prioritize your most severe conditions.
In the case that you sustain another injury or illness, you can always amend your application and resubmit it.
A military disability calculator will determine the veterans disability ratings for your benefits depending on the severity of your conditions, your age, marital status, as well how many children you have.
Dealing With Application Denial
If your claim has been denied, it is still possible for you to receive benefits. In order to do so, you need to file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) with the VA office and appeal to overturn the denial. You may want to hire a disability lawyer in these cases in order to make sure that you cover all of your bases.