Reasons to File a VA Disability Claim

It is most important that a veteran file a disability claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs to service connect those disabilities, diseases, or injuries or residuals thereof, which were incurred in or aggravated by military service. Compensation is payable to any veteran with a service connected disability rated (10) percent or more, provided that his/her service was under conditions other than dishonorable. Although there is no time limit for filing a VA claim, it should be done at the time of separation or as soon thereafter as possible.

Following are some of the reasons a veteran should file a VA compensation claim:

1. Compensation is payable to a veteran for service-connected disabilities rated from 10% to 100%, with additional amounts for statutory awards or certain multiple disabilities plus additional amounts for dependents when a veteran is rated 30% or more.
    
2. VA compensation is not subject to Federal or State taxes.
    
3. Many states have special programs and benefits for veterans with service-connected disabilities.
    
4. Filing a disability claim establishes a VA file, which will help expedite other claims and applications, which may be filed at a later date.
    
5. VA will consider a rating for all disabilities diagnosed and treated during military service, when such disabilities are included within the claim.
    
6. If a service-connected disability worsens, VA will reconsider the rating upon receipt of medical evidence showing an increase in severity.
    
7. Certain chronic and tropical diseases have presumptive periods ranging from 1 to 40 years. Service- connection may be granted if diagnosed within the proper period and rated to a compensable degree of at least 10%.
    
8. If service-connected disabilities rated at 60% or above and unemployable, the veteran may be rated 100% by VA.
    
9. If a veteran is hospitalized for 21 days or more or undergoes major surgery for service-connected disabilities, he/she is entitled to a temporary 100% rating during the period of hospitalization and/or convalescence.
    
10. Certain severely disability conditions, e.g., blindness, paraplegia, loss of limbs, carry special VA ratings and payments.
     
11. VA pays an annual clothing allowance to veterans whose prosthetic devices or service-connected disabilities tend to wear or tear their clothing.
     
12. A service-connected disability rating provides preference points for State and Federal employment under certain conditions.
     
13. Retirees with service-connected disabilities may waive the monetary amount of VA compensation from military retired pay for federal income tax purposes.
     
14. Educational benefits are available to the spouse and other dependents (to include dependent parents) of a veteran who dies as the result of a service-connected disability, regardless of the rating percentage.
     
15. DIC and Educational benefits are payable to eligible survivors of veterans rated totally disabled by VA from service-connected disabilities continuously for ten years preceding death, or rated totally disabled on retirement and for the following five years, regardless of the cause of the veteran’s death.
     
16. A veteran with a service-connected disability is eligible for a maximum of $10,000 of National Service Life Insurance (RH). A totally disabled veteran is eligible for a maximum of $20,000 of National Service Life Insurance (RH).
     
17. Premiums for NSLI may be waived by VA Insurance Center if the veteran is considered totally disabled and this condition has existed six months or more prior to the 65^th birthday.
     
18. Veterans rated 10% or more service-connected and in need of training may apply for Vocational Rehabilitation Training (Chapter 31).
     
19. Outpatient dental care is authorized for veterans rated 100% service-connected, including those rated 100% due to unemployability.
     
20. Veterans (not retired military – which are eligible for full ID card benefits) rated 100% service-connected and their dependents are eligible for military ID cards (commissary and exchange privileges). Dependents may also be eligible for CHAMPVA benefits.
     
21. Payment of burial benefits up to $2,000 if a veteran dies from service-connected disability; or up to $600 if the veteran was in receipt of VA compensation at the time of death and death is rated as non-service connected.
     
22. Filing a claim and establishing service-connected disabilities provide advantages in obtaining medical care at VA expense. These advantages include:

1. Instant proof of eligibility for medical care, thereby expediting the receipt of treatment.
    
2. Establishes eligibility for treatment of nonservice-connected disabilities on a space-available basis at VA hospitals and clinics.
    
3. If rated 50% or more for service-connected disabilities, may be treated for all nonservice-connected disabilities.
    
4. Retirees may use both VA and military medical facilities for care.
    
5. The VA may pay for emergency hospitalization in private facilities for service-connected disabilities if VA facilities are not available. The VA medical facility of jurisdiction should be notified within 72 hours of admission to the private facility.
    
6. The VA may pay for outpatient medical treatment from private doctors for any service-connected disability, and for all disabilities if the veteran is rated 50% or more for service-connected disabilities, if the veteran resides outside a certain miles radius which is determined by the nearest VA medical facility.
    
7. The VA furnishes free of charge medicines required for treatment of service-connected disabilities, and for all disabilities if the veteran is rated 50% or more for service-connected disabilities.
    
8. Prosthetic appliances and services are available at VA expense for eligible veterans.
    
9. Medical care is provided for any condition while a Veteran is enrolled in Vocational Rehabilitation Training (Chapter 31).