Many veterans leave active military service with service related injuries. The process to apply for VA disability compensation may seem confusing. The following information is to help the veteran start in the right direction.
The first thing to understand is the VA has more than one type of disability compensation program. Disability ratings start with the VA disability compensation benefit. In addition to the VA disability compensation benefit are other disability compensation benefits.
Some of the other benefits include Individual Unemployability and Special Monthly Compensation. The Individual Unemployability benefit pays the veteran at 100% when the vet is unable to obtain gainful employment. The VA also has a Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) allowance. The SMC pays additional compensation for loss of use or loss of body part.
Each program has different rules and restrictions. Yet, all the programs start with the application for VA disability compensation. There are four eligibility requirements for VA disability compensation. The application process has three main steps.
The four eligibility requirements the veteran must meet are:
1. The veteran was released from service with something other than a dishonorable discharge,
2. The disability is service related or worsened due to military service,
3. The veteran has evidence that shows the disability was received during service, and
4. The veteran has a current disability due to the service related injury.
After meeting the four eligibility requirements, the veteran will need to complete three steps in the application process for VA disability compensation. The steps are:
1. Gather evidence,
2. Complete the disability application form, and
3. Complete the Compensation and Pension Exam.
The first step is to gather evidence. Some of the information that will be required include: Service Medical Records, current medical records, and military service records including discharge papers. As records have a tendency to get lost over time, the veteran should keep an active file of all medical and military reports.
Disability payments can be increased based on household size. The veteran will need a marriage certificate to claim a wife as a dependant. The veteran will also need documentation on dependants to claim other dependants. The veteran should make every attempt to secure these documents and keep them.
The veteran must have a current condition that is connected to the service related injury. The veteran will need medical records from a qualified healthcare provider that clearly defines the condition.
To second step is to complete the VA Application Form 21-526. It is a long form. There are many ways to obtain the form. The veteran can obtain the form on the web. They can obtain the form from a local VA office. Or, the vet may call the VA and ask to have the form mailed to them. The veteran may want to have a printed copy of the document and instructions to understand and organize the information they need.
After completing the form, the veteran will send it to the VA Regional Office. The best way to communicate with the VA Regional Office is through certified or registered mail. The veteran may never need to verify they sent the application to the VA. Yet, if they do, they'll be grateful for the mail receipts and proof of delivery.
The veteran should receive some type of acknowledgement within two months of sending the application. If they have not received acknowledgement within two months, the veteran can resend the application with copies of the mail receipts and ask for acknowledgement.
The third step will be the Compensation and Pension Exam. After receiving and acknowledging receipt of the application, the VA will schedule a Compensation and Pension Exam with a qualified physician to determine the current status of the disabilities.
It is important to make the exam. If the veteran is unable to make the exam, the veteran should contact the VA Office as soon as possible and reschedule. The VA can deny benefits for missed appointments or coming late to an appointment.
Those are the three steps to apply for VA disability compensation.
After the Compensation and Pension Exam is completed, the veteran will wait for their combined scheduler rating. Monthly disability compensation is based on the combined scheduler rating. The process can take a year or longer. During this time, the VA may contact the veteran requesting additional information.
Like so many things in life, the process to file for VA disability compensation appears simple and straight forward. Under each of the steps are a lot of sub-steps which can become confusing. To help wade through the process, it is best to talk to a Veteran's Representative or other qualified veterans.
There are only three steps to apply for VA disability compensation. Yet, the overall process of gathering and keeping evidence and following up on requests is time consuming. The veteran can help ensure the evidence is correct and supports the claim through the assistance of other people. If the veteran gets assistance and does the homework, the chances of getting the right rating is almost guaranteed.