Veterans Law Blog

Can I Increase My VA Disability Rating?

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 13:14:05 GMT

Can I Increase My VA Disability Rating?

It’s normal for disabilities to change over time, and often this involves some worsening of the symptoms. If you are a veteran, you could be entitled to a disability compensation. But what to do if you already have been assigned a VA rating? Is it possible to increase your VA disability rating? Here’s everything you need to know.

Can I increase my VA rating?

Yes. After an initial disability rating has been assigned, it doesn’t mean the number will stay static for the rest of your life.

Your VA disability rating can be changed in order to make sure your compensation fits the current state of your disability. However, not every veteran can ask for an increase in their disability rate, and the specific process will vary depending on your original claim.

If your condition has worsened, you are entitled to a change in your disability rate. An increased rate will allow you to get benefits that will fit your current disability, and provide support to treat possible secondary conditions.

Increasing your VA disability rating: 5 cases that could apply to you

Are you wondering if you are entitled to an increased VA disability rating? Here are some of the more common scenarios:

1. Your condition has deteriorated

Disabilities and medical conditions naturally change over time, and progression is expected in most cases. The VA uses the state of your condition at the time of the claim to assign a rating. So, it’s normal to have to increase your rating if and when your condition worsens.

In order to prove the change, you’ll need strong evidence such as:

VA medical and hospital records : Showing the frequency, severity and chronicity of the symptoms.
Other medical records : That show your original condition has gotten worse. This includes medical reports, notes from medical professionals, treatment records, etc. If these documents show a direct link between your condition and your military service it makes for a stronger case.
Other supporting statements : From friends, family, community members (clergy, coworkers, employers), or law enforcement personnel showcasing the current state of your disability.

What to do : File an increased claim with evidence your original condition has gotten worse.

2. You believe your original VA rating is too low

Sometimes, a VA disability claim gives you a rating lower than expected. Don’t despair: it’s possible to appeal a previous decision. If you have a case dated on or after February 19th, 2019, there’s different reviews you can ask for:

Supplemental claim : When you have new evidence for a claim that has been denied, filing a supplemental claim is the best option. You must show there is new evidence in this claim that hasn’t been presented before.
Higher-level review : This is when you ask for a senior reviewer to assess your case to spot any errors. Usually, higher-level reviews involve an informal conference with the senior reviewer where you’ll explain your case and the errors you have identified.
Board appeal : In this case, a Veterans’ Law Judge will re-evaluate your case and decide if mistakes were made.

What to do: You can only do one of these reviews at once, so choose beforehand then do the corresponding procedure/appeal.

3. New conditions have appeared since your initial assessment

Many times, a pre-existing medical condition can be the root cause of other issues. In other cases, veterans might get diagnosed with service-related conditions after their initial VA disability rating assessment. In these cases, you can file new claims to get support for these new conditions. Depending on your initial claim and the benefits you’ve been assigned, you might need to file a new claim , a secondary service-connected claim , or a special claim .

What to do : Read the official site and get familiar with the requirements for these new types of claims. It can be a lot to take in, so don’t be afraid to reach out to specialists.

4. You have difficulty keeping or getting employment

Some veterans are entitled to an increased compensation based on unemployability. This means that a disability linked to service prevents you from finding or keeping a job to provide for yourself and your household. Many times, this can only be proven after your initial claim has been filed, which would ultimately increase your VA benefits.

In these cases, you could be entitled to individual unemployability benefits if:

You have been recognized with at least one disability linked to your time in service and at the qualifying percentage
You can show inability to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to your condition
You can show other supporting documents such as employment records, statements from medical professionals and/or community members, proof of your current disability benefits, etc.

What to do : Apply for individual unemployability benefits through VA Form 21-8940. This will start a process involving several interviews with you, previous employers, and others that can support your case.

5. You’re wondering if you’re entitled to the Special Monthly Compensation

Also called SMC, the Special Monthly Compensation is paid on top of any VA disability compensation you could be getting. This compensation scheme is only available to veterans who lost or lost use of specific organs or extremities while in duty.

If you qualify for SMC, the amount will be automatically added to your monthly payments, so there is no specific application for it.

What to do : If you think you’re entitled to this or you think you’ve been incorrectly categorized, call the VA benefits hotline ( here ) to get more information.

What to do if I want a review of my current VA disability rating?

If any of the above cases apply to you, there are several possibilities:

Increasing your VA disability rating : If you are already receiving VA disability benefits, getting an increase is possible. This can be done by either filing a claim for increased benefits on a diagnosed disability or adding a new claim to your original file. The specific path needs to be determined based on your original case, rating and the new evidence of your condition(s).
Appeal a prior decision on your VA disability rating : If you’ve been assigned a VA rating that you consider unfair, or your claim has been denied altogether, it can be a very frustrating process. Fortunately, you can appeal a previous decision. This can be done either through an appeal (up to 1 year of receiving the result) or by filing a supplemental claim if you have new evidence to support your case.
Request a higher-level review of your case : This is a formal request of your case by a senior reviewer, usually only done after you’ve gone through other claims. The reviewer will read over your case and flag possible mistakes or differences of opinion. Depending on the result, this could change the outcome of your claim.

PRO TIP: Some of these appeals to a VA disability rating have specific deadlines. If you’re considering asking for a review of your case, it’s important to start the process as soon as possible to avoid missing important dates.

How to prepare an application to increase my VA disability rating?

The specific path to follow will depend on whether you are filing a new claim, asking for a review or appealing a previous decision. However, the general steps of the process look more or less like the following:

Step 1. Gather your evidence

You will need strong evidence to prove you qualify for an increased disability rating. This usually means medical and/or hospital reports, statements from people close to you and other documents that support your case. Generally speaking, you need to show the frequency, severity and chronicity of your symptoms. Information about when your symptoms started to worsen are also key when increasing your VA disability rating.

Step 2. Identify your disability or disabilities

Depending on your symptoms you’ll need to figure out which disability you qualify for. You might be applying for an increase in a disability that has already been recognized, in which case the type doesn’t change. If you’re claiming a new condition (either related to service or linked to the original claim), you might need to identify new disabilities.

Step 3. Create your application

Once you’ve decided what claim you’ll be filing, it’s time to put together your actual application and create a strong case. It’s very important to identify and fill out the correct forms. Plus, depending on your case, you might need additional forms (for example, to ask for a clothing allowance), letters explaining your situation or extra supporting documents.

Any mistakes in your application will make the process slower and could potentially weaken your case, so don’t rush the application. Read over everything and if possible, have a second person double-check your case.

PRO TIP : All documents included in your application need to be properly organized and complete. Also, double-check that you’re using either originals or certified copies to make the assessment process faster.

What if I need help with my application?

Any individual can file their own VA application by going directly to the site. However, it can be an overwhelming, time-consuming process, particularly if you’ve never filed it before. Teaming up with an expert can make the entire process faster and less stressful.

We’ve been helping veterans with their VA disability applications for years, and our team would be happy to help you. Contact us for a free VA disability consultation: we’re on call and ready to answer any questions about the process!

The Top Three Questions About VA Disability

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 18:53:43 GMT

The Top Three Questions About VA Disability

Are you wondering if you qualify for VA disability compensation? If you or a loved one are interested in applying for this benefit, today’s article is for you. Our experts review the 3 most commonly asked questions about VA disability.

1. What is VA disability compensation?

S ometimes also called “VA disability”, VA disability compensation is a monthly tax-free payment for injuries sustained as a direct result of serving in the military [1]. You can also file for benefits if your time in service made an existing condition worse.

Both physical and mental health conditions can make a veteran qualify for VA benefits, but every case is evaluated individually. As of the 2021 VA disability compensation report, more than 5.2 million veterans and 460,000+ survivors receive monthly payments [2]. If you are a veteran with any physical or mental condition, you might also be able to claim compensation.

2. What is the easiest disability to claim for VA?

As we mentioned above, every claim is studied on a case-by-case basis. Nevertheless, we have access to regular reports from the Veteran Benefits Administration on the VA disability compensation program [2]. This report can give insight into the types of disabilities most often accepted by the program.

So, which is the easiest (or most popular) VA disability claim? It’s Tinnitus.

More than half of the beneficiaries claim tinnitus among their disabilities. On the flip side, Tinnitus only has a 10% VA rating, and not more. This means that although more than 90% of veterans can claim it, their benefits with only Tinnitus are quite slim. Are you wondering if you have it?

Tinnitus is a complex thing, but it mostly involves hearing specific sounds when there is no external source present. Many people with tinnitus complain about persistent clicking, buzzing, hissing, humming or ringing as “phantom noises”.

Among veterans, Tinnitus is often a symptom of other conditions. Legally speaking, tinnitus is a “secondary disability” since it can make life more difficult, but appears as a response to other issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, head/neck injuries, high blood pressure, hearing loss and many others.

3. What are the top 10 VA disability claims?

T he most common VA disability claims aren’t necessarily the “easiest” to claim, but rather the ones most current veterans have been able to prove and get compensation for. Keep in mind most times veterans claim several disabilities at the same time:

Tinnitus

As mentioned above, this is the hearing of phantom noises without external sources. Unfortunately, patients with tinnitus are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety compared to other types of hearing loss. VA ratings rate tinnitus between 0 and 10%.

Limitation of flexion in the knee

When veterans have knee pain, this is often accompanied by a loss of mobility. If this is your case, you might be able to file for this common VA disability claim. The highest rating for this condition, according to the VA program, will show recurrent subluxation or instability, ligament tears and permanent use of assistive devices (cane, walker, crutches…). The VA rating for “limitation of flexion in the knee” ranges from 0 to 30%, but if you’re found to have knee ankylosis (a more advanced diagnosis) it can reach up to 60% rating.

PRO TIP: If you feel pain at any point when flexing your knee, the VA is legally obliged to compensate for at least the minimum for the condition, which in this case is 10%

Hearing loss

Depending on the cause and the specific systems involved, hearing loss can get you a VA rating for up to 90%, although many veterans are ranked at only 10% (the minimum). Unfortunately, if you’ve been out of the military for more than a year when you’re evaluated, it’s very difficult to get rated above 0% for hearing loss.

PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder)

T his is a mental health claim triggered by a stressor event of any kind. The symptoms of PTSD are diverse and range from mild to severe depending on the level of impact on your occupational/social life. Veterans can be awarded up to 100% disability rating, although most veterans score around 70%.

PRO TIP : If you don’t know if your stressor event is strong enough to file a PTSD claim, ask yourself if you feared for your life. If yes, it’s good enough to demand services and compensation.

Lumbosacral or cervical strain

It’s one of the most common physical complaints among veterans, so it’s not a wonder it scores relatively high in the list. Neck pain can get you a VA rating of up to 50%. Following the same “Painful motion” principle we mentioned before, if you have pain during flexion or extension, the VA is required to offer compensation.

Paralysis of the sciatic nerve

T he sciatica is a nerve that goes from the lower back to the foot, on both legs. Damage to this nerve often happens due to herniated disks or having a car accident. Some numbness and pain is expected if you have this condition. Depending on the gravity of your pain, paralysis of the sciatica nerve VA ratings can go from 10% (mild) to 80% (complete paralysis, no movement below the knee).

PRO TIP: When you get tested, the doctor will perform a Range of Motion test. Let them know as soon as you feel pain to avoid making the condition worse!

Scars (general)

V A offers compensation for scars because this tissue generally presents a limited range of motion or distortion of features, which can lead to impaired occupational or social life. Although the average VA rating for scars is 10%, you can get up to 80% depending on the severity.

Limitation of motion of the ankle

S imilar to limited motion of the knee, the ankle can also greatly affect your life after service if you’ve lost range of motion or have pain. The highest VA rating you can get for ankle pain is 20%

Limitation of motion of the arm

D epending on your current range of motion and the pain during movement, this disability can get you a rating of up to 40%, with most veterans reporting only 10%.

Chronic migraine

his goes beyond a simple headache, and includes a strong pulsing/throbbing feeling, nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. According to their frequency and severity, migraines have a VA rating of up to 50%.

PRO TIP: When you’re describing your migraines, make sure to mention if they make you stay in bed or lay down to calm them down (even after taking medicine). “Prostrating” migraines have the highest VA rating.

W hat conditions automatically qualify you for VA disability?

T here is no condition that, on its own, will automatically qualify you for VA disability. Nevertheless, if you have proof any mental or physical condition is linked to your time in service, getting VA disability is a relatively straightforward process.

Keep in mind that veterans can claim multiple disabilities at the same time, and the average for most is between 5 and 7 disabilities. So, in general, it’s best to do a round up of all your conditions and let your Rating Authorities know.

Here are some of the conditions that easily qualify you for VA disability:

Scars : These are impossible to question, so you either have them or not. Depending on number and location, you can get up to 80% rating.

Mental health conditions : Although they are harder to prove, once you have an official diagnosis they are considered a “high-value claim” and most veterans get a rating of at least 30%.

Finally, although it’s not a specific condition, the VA follows the Painful Motion principle. It’s a legal principle that is meant to protect veterans: regardless of actual loss of function, if a given joint hurts when you move, the Rating Authorities are required to assign at minimum the lowest compensable rating [3].

We know filing a VA claim can feel like a lot, especially if you’re already juggling life and medical conditions. If you have questions, our teams would be happy to help out!

References

1. Veteran Affairs. VA disability compensation. Available here .

2. Veteran Affairs. Benefits: VA disability compensation 2021 report. Available here .

3. Veteran Affairs. M21-1, Part V, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section A - Painful Motion and Functional Loss. Available here .

3 Reasons Why the VA Rejects Your Claim and What You Can Do About It.

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 18:53:53 GMT

Your Claim Was Denied...Now What?

So, you know the difference between SSDI and SSI . You have talked to a Veteran Service Representative (VSR) and opened a claim. You filled out the forms and gave the VA your service records within the year. And after waiting months, you received a letter that you don’t agree with! This decision letter says that the Veterans Administration Examiner looked at all of your documents and believe that your injuries are not related to your service. Now what?

If you rec eive a decision letter with a rejection of your claim from the Veterans Administration, you may think that you have missed your chance to receive benefits. The truth is, your claim is never finished until you give up. The longer you work to get the claim you deserve, the more likely you will receive them. A rejection letter does not mean that you lost completely. It usually means that you only need to give the VA more information.

What does a rejection letter mean?

A rejection letter means that the Veteran Service Representative (VSR) saw something that could be wrong with your claim. Sometimes, it is something that you can fix by sending information that they ask for. Sometimes it is a mistake that they make. Either way, it is something that can be fixed by contacting the VA directly.

3 Common Reasons why Claims are Rejected

In most cases, you will be rejected if you do not provide enough proof of your medical condition being related to your time in the military. You will be denied if they do not think your injury was caused in service or because of service. Remember, you can file a claim for an injury or a disease that you received during and/or for injuries after your service if an event during your service caused your injury. The key is, you have to show medical records to show the service connection

It is possible that the VA made a mistake that can easily be fixed. Service members with the same or similar name, misspellings, or incorrect date of birth. Sometimes, the VA even sends a denial letter to the wrong veteran…if you believe the VA has made a typo or a mistake, write it down and contact your VSR right away.

Has the VA set up a C&P examination for you? If you have one coming up, make sure you go. It’s really important to go to your Compensation and Pension Examination. You could lose your claim if you miss your C&P Exam and if the VA believes that you don’t want to pursue your benefits. If you missed your C&P exam, call them right away to reschedule.

What can I do? You have 3 choices if you receive a letter rejecting your claim.

There are 3 things you can do if your claim has been denied by the VA

Requesting a higher-level review

If you decide to request a higher-level review, a more experienced reviewer will take a look at the records that you have already given the VA. They will only use the records that are already submitted and no additional information can be added. Make sure the VA has all the information that you have because you are not able to provide additional records with a higher-level review.

Do you believe the VA made a mistake or a lot of mistakes? If you believe the VA has made mistakes on your claim, write a letter listing the mistakes that you think they made. Your arguments and your request for a higher-level review should be submitted to the VA together.

Request to meet with a Higher-Level Review officer by submitting VA Form 21-0966 ( click here to download a copy of VA Form 20-0996 ). This gives the VA an opportunity to look at all of the medical records that you provided. The new Higher Level Review Officer is only able to use the records and information that you have given them already.

Providing More Supporting Evidence

You can submit...

Recently received military records

You can send the VA new and/or relevant evidence that you haven’t submitted before. You might not have enough medical proof to support your claim. If you have been denied and you have additional medical information that the VA does not have, now is the chance to give it to them. That means you are able to give them any new records from your service.

Also, “buddy letters” may be able to help. A “buddy letter” is a written letter from someone that you served with. This letter should be able to describe to the VA your service-related injury and anything that could have caused your injury.

You can also submit...

New and current medical records

Do you have updated medical evidence from your current doctor? You can give the VA medical records that you get from your current doctor but only if they support your claim. The VA wants to see your medical records for anything related to your service condition. If you have seen a doctor recently you can request a copy and send them to the VA as Supplemental Evidence. They want to see if your service-related injury has gotten better, worse, or stayed the same.

Also, your doctor may describe your issues differently than the VA’s Medical Examiner. You may want to request an Independent Medical Opinion from your personal physician. These Opinions are also called Nexus Letters or Nexus Opinions . It’s not required to have an Opinion but it is highly recommended to submit one. These letters from your doctor will provide a link from your service injury or incident to your current injury.

If your doctor does not offer Independent Medical Opinions or Nexus Letters, Chambers Law has a list of medical providers that do. Contact Chambers Law for more details.

Directly Appealing to the Board of Veterans Appeals

Your third option that you may consider is to file an appeal. An appeal is when your claim is presented in front of a judge. If you choose this option, you should consider hiring a qualified attorney to help you get what you deserve. You NEED to make sure that your claim has all the correct documents for the judge’s review. In some situations, you may be able to provide more information and evidence for the judge to review. If you have additional information, you will have 90 days after filing the appeal. If you lose the Appeal, it will take EVEN LONGER for you to receive your claim benefits. It might even mean that you will have to start over and file another claim!

***Please Note: These options only apply to VA decisions that are dated on or after February 19, 2019.***

Click HERE for our frequently asked questions.

Remember, the claim isn’t over until you give up! If you have received a denial letter, you still have choices. You may feel like giving up, but you still have options to save your claim.

In some cases, the claim process can take over 1,500 days!

Contact Chambers Law at 352-515-9464 to set up a free consultation today! Chris & Stephanie Chambers are qualified attorneys that have 25 years of combined experience!

Veterans Applying For Disability Need to Know About VA Form 21-8940

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 18:53:50 GMT

Service-related disabilities can make it hard for a veteran to keep steady work. Through VA Form 21-8940 , they may be able to apply for more benefits. This is based on their individual unemployability (IU).

IU is a part of the VA disability compensation program. If qualified, one may be able to access higher disability benefits. At the same level as a veteran that has a 100% disability rating.

How Total Disability Based On Individual Unemployability (TDIU) Works?

To be eligible, one must meet certain disability standards. This is as per the VA individual unemployability fact sheet.

If you have one service-related disability, it must be rated at 60% or higher disabling.

If you have many service-related disabilities, one must be rated at least 40% or higher disabling. The combined total disability on IU should add up to at least 70% or higher disabling.

TDIU refers to these disability ratings. And their limits in establishing a need to increase benefits to 100%.

These disabilities should be the reason you cannot hold down a steady job. If in marginal employment (odd jobs), you may still qualify for IU benefits. VA income limits that place you below the federal poverty threshold can grant you IU benefits.

Who Qualifies for TDIU?

This program caters to just veterans with service-related disabilities . They must have reached a point where it is impossible to get steady work.

To be eligible, they must meet the threshold of at least 60% or more disabling on single disabilities. Or a combined total rating of 70% disabling or more on multiple disabilities. With at least one disability rating 40% or higher.

I Already Get VA Benefits. Why Would I Want This?

Veterans with service-related disabilities are assigned benefits based on their severity. These rates are assigned anywhere between 0%-100%, in 10% increments.

Many veterans are able to keep working while on disability. Such cases have been assigned a rate lower than 100%. This means they are able to hold down a steady job to some degree.

Sometimes, these disabilities can escalate. They can reach a level whereby holding down a job is not possible. This is when added benefits may be needed.

With this claim you may receive further healthcare and compensation payments.

You will want to complete VA Form 21-8940 in order to check your TDIU (Total Disability/Individual Unemployability). If qualified, you become eligible for this change in benefits from the VA.

I Already Get VA Benefits. Why Would I Want This?

Veterans with service-related disabilities are assigned benefits based on their severity. These rates are assigned anywhere between 0%-100%, in 10% increments.

Many veterans are able to keep working while on disability. Such cases have been assigned a rate lower than 100%. This means they are able to hold down a steady job to some degree.

Sometimes, these disabilities can escalate. They can reach a level whereby holding down a job is not possible. This is when added benefits may be needed.

With this claim you may receive further healthcare and compensation payments.

You will want to complete VA Form 21-8940 in order to check your TDIU (Total Disability/Individual Unemployability). If qualified, you become eligible for this change in benefits from the VA.

Why Do I Need VA Form 21-8940?

VA Form 21-8940 is titled “Veterans Application for Increased Compensation Based on Unemployability”.

It allows veterans to file a claim for a boost to their disability benefits. As they complete the form, they must give evidence.

It should prove that their disability makes it futile for them to hold down a steady job. It is the main document required by the VA to consider making such changes.

The Five Parts of VA Form 21-8940

Veteran Identification

This first section of the application must be completed to verify your identity. You must provide full names, social security number, date of birth, and VA file number. You will also need to provide your current contact information. This will include a current detailed address, email address, and telephone number.

Disability and Medical Treatment

Here you will have to provide medical info related to your disabilities. This includes the nature of the disability. And when it was last treated in the past year.

You will provide details on the doctors you have had treatments from. The names of their hospitals and dates of any hospitalization.

The space to fill out this data is limited. If you have more info to give than the space allows, you can still include it. Do this under Item 26-Remarks, which is at the end of Section IV.

Employment Information

This section will provide details on your work history. Under parts 14-17C you will have to provide data including:

Date the disability affected full-time employment
Date you last worked full-time
Date you became disabled enough not to work
The most you have earned in a year, which occupation, and which year

Part 18 provides space to detail what you have been doing the past five years. Here you will indicate your employment, any active and inactive duty.

You will provide info on employers, dates, and hours worked. Also, the nature of the work, earnings, and any time taken off due to illness.

Parts 19-21 will query on your disability and if you receive or are expecting any benefits.

Parts 22-22C relate to any attempts to secure jobs since becoming disabled enough not to work. If you have managed to get work, you should provide details.

This will include the name of and addresses of these employers. Also, the nature of work and dates worked.

Schooling and Other Training

This section relates to academic history. You will have to input details on any schooling from grade school onwards. Part 24A-24C is where you will indicate the type of training received before you became disabled enough not to work.

Part 24A-25C queries any education or training after you became disabled enough not to work. Do include the start and end dates for these trainings.

Where and How to Send the Form

This section details where to send in your application. There are several options. The first is to send it in via certified mail to the address below.

Department of Veteran Affairs

Evidence Intake Center

PO Box 4444

Janesville, WI 53547-4444

The second option is to fax it to either of the numbers below:

Toll-Free: 844-531-7818

Local: 248-524-4260

You can also seek help in completing this form at your local VA regional office. They can also help with sending it in.

Be Patient with the Process

This process can take a while to be completed. Anywhere between a few months to years.

Time is also needed to review and verify supporting documents. You may also be sent a letter from the VA requesting additional information.

Do be patient as your form is processed. If approved, the benefits will be applied retroactively. This means the amount will be backdated to when you initially applied.

If your claim is denied, you have just one year to make an appeal. Thereafter, the decision is made final.

Veterans Law Blog

Can I Increase My VA Disability Rating?

Can I Increase My VA Disability Rating?

Can I increase my VA rating?

Increasing your VA disability rating: 5 cases that could apply to you

1. Your condition has deteriorated

2. You believe your original VA rating is too low

3. New conditions have appeared since your initial assessment

4. You have difficulty keeping or getting employment

5. You’re wondering if you’re entitled to the Special Monthly Compensation

What to do if I want a review of my current VA disability rating?

How to prepare an application to increase my VA disability rating?

Step 1. Gather your evidence

Step 2. Identify your disability or disabilities

Step 3. Create your application

What if I need help with my application?

The Top Three Questions About VA Disability

The Top Three Questions About VA Disability

1. What is VA disability compensation?

2. What is the easiest disability to claim for VA?

3. What are the top 10 VA disability claims?

Tinnitus

Limitation of flexion in the knee

Hearing loss

PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder)

Lumbosacral or cervical strain

Paralysis of the sciatic nerve

Scars (general)

Limitation of motion of the ankle

Limitation of motion of the arm

Chronic migraine

W hat conditions automatically qualify you for VA disability? ﻿

﻿ References

3 Reasons Why the VA Rejects Your Claim and What You Can Do About It.

Your Claim Was Denied...Now What?

What does a rejection letter mean?

3 Common Reasons why Claims are Rejected

What can I do? You have 3 choices if you receive a letter rejecting your claim.

There are 3 things you can do if your claim has been denied by the VA

Requesting a higher-level review

Providing More Supporting Evidence

Recently received military records

New and current medical records

Directly Appealing to the Board of Veterans Appeals

Veterans Applying For Disability Need to Know About VA Form 21-8940

How Total Disability Based On Individual Unemployability (TDIU) Works?

Who Qualifies for TDIU?

I Already Get VA Benefits. Why Would I Want This?

I Already Get VA Benefits. Why Would I Want This?

Why Do I Need VA Form 21-8940?

The Five Parts of VA Form 21-8940

Veteran Identification

Disability and Medical Treatment

Employment Information

Schooling and Other Training

Where and How to Send the Form

Be Patient with the Process

The 10 Step VA Disability Claim Timeline

Step 1: Preparation

Step 2: Submitting the VA Claim

Step 3: The VA Claim Under Review

Step 4: The Gathering of Evidence & the VA Evidence Review Process

Step 5: The VA Decision

Step 6: The VA Notification is Prepared

Step 10: Contact an Accredited VA Lawyer

W hat conditions automatically qualify you for VA disability?

References