Veteran Benefit Guide for Compensation: Tips and Best Practices

If you or a loved one has a current disability or condition caused by or worsened through active duty in the U.S. military, you could qualify for VA disability benefits. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides disability compensation to qualifying veterans of the U.S. armed forces. These monthly tax-free payments provide compensation for the loss of earning capacity linked to disabilities that veterans experienced because of active duty or that were worsened while on active duty. 

In this brief consideration of VA benefits, we’ll present a few helpful tips and best practices concerning your  VA benefits application. Reach out to a VA benefits lawyer from our veterans’ compensation law firm to learn how we can help. 

Primary v. Secondary: Know the Difference 

It is helpful to understand that there are both primary and secondary conditions when it comes to service-connected disabilities and conditions. A primary condition is one that you experienced while on active duty, like a knee injury. If your knee injury were to develop into a back problem after your active service, you could have a post-service claim for VA benefits for the back problem as a secondary condition. 

Following are a few essential pointers to consider when applying for VA benefits: 

• Understand the requirements for your claim to be approved – to collect VA compensation for your claim, you’ll need to prove that you have a current condition and that it is connected to your active service. While this might sound simple, there are several relevant legal definitions that apply, and you must meet a variety of requirements. 
• Only pursue claims that you can prove – it can take a lot of time and effort to process a VA claims application, and if you are not standing on solid ground, all that time could be wasted. Your VA benefits lawyer will help to ensure that your medical records and condition are accurately assessed and reinforced with evidence to support the success of your application. 
• File the correct forms, at the correct time, to the correct office – much of the process of collecting VA benefits is forms, and it is essential that you fill out the correct forms in the time allowed and provide sufficient evidence to back them up. 
• Support your claim with evidence and records – your military record can be an important piece of information to provide with your VA benefits application, and our attorneys will help you collect that in addition to other evidence to support the best possible outcome in your claim. 

Discuss Your Situation with a VA Benefits Lawyer

Connect with a VA compensation attorney from our veterans’ benefits law firm by giving us a call at 888-915-3843 or visiting our site to schedule a free case evaluation.