Answering Your Questions about Veteran Benefits

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There are many veterans in our country that have no idea that they could be receiving benefits. While some feel like leaving the past behind them, so to speak, others do not even realize that there may be reason for them to receive benefits. Plus, the laborious, seemingly endless application process can seem too daunting even to give it a try. If you are a veteran and you have a disability or injury this is something you should look into, you have earned these benefits.
Q: How does a veteran know if he or she should be getting benefits? Who is qualified to receive benefits?
A: There are three key factors in determining if you might be eligible to obtain VA service connected disability benefits. The first is that you must have done service with either the Army, the Navy, the Marines, the Air Force, or the US Coast Guard. Secondly, you must currently suffer from a disability which began during your years of service, or began before hand and was worsened by doing service. This could be anything from High Blood Pressure to certain types of cancers as well as many other disabilities depending on when and where you served. Lastly, you need to show evidence that your current disability is connected to your military service.
An example is, if you were on leave from active duty and vacationing with your family and while skiing you fell and broke your leg or injured your knee. Today, even though many years have passed, the problem caused by that old injury is only getting worse, and you will soon need surgery to have the knee replaced. Though it may not seem like it, this injury itself is service connected, as you were on active duty when the accident or illness occurred, even though you were on leave. Secondly, now that problem is causing pain as well as other problems which you have to be treated for.
Q: But how will receiving benefits from Veteran Affairs really help me?
A: Like this: if you do obtain benefits, you can receive monthly monetary benefits, as well as eligibility to use the VA hospital and medical facilities. The benefit amount you will receive each month will be dependent on what percentage of your current disability is determined to be service connected.
Q: If I am currently service connected and I have hearing loss at 10% and PTSD at 30% why am I only considered 30% service connected?
A: The VA has a rating schedule that they use to determine what percentage is to be granted for each disability depending on the severity of the disability. They also use a rating chart to total your percentage of service connection, they do not use mathematical terms. Because determining a percentage of service connection is quite complex, if you feel that the percentage awarded you is insufficient for your disability, you should speak to a professional about your options.
Q: Why does my neighbor receive 70% for the same disability that I have?
A: This happens because Veteran Affairs determines all service connection percentages individually, based on the severity of a veterans disability. Again, there is a rating schedule that determines the amount of benefit and the percentage of service connection that each person receives.
Q: Can I still work and receive VA service connected disability benefits?
A: Yes, you can. Unlike with Social Security Disability, the disability benefits you obtain from Veteran Affairs are not affected by working. If you are granted service connection for a disability that is not keeping you from working then you can still work and receive benefits. Your disability benefits are not reduced or annulled if you are earning an income.
Q: Can I receive Social Security Disability benefits and VA service connected disability benefits? A: Yes. While Social Security Disability does gauge your earned income when determining your SSD benefits, your VA benefits are not considered earned income, and so will not get in the way of your SSD benefits.
Q: My spouse, who was in the service and getting benefits from the VA for a service connected disability, has passed away. Am I eligible to get his or her VA benefits?
A: There are benefits for surviving spouses and dependent children. However, every case is different, and you need to be sure to speak to a professional before moving forward.
Q: How do I file a claim?
A: Veteran Affairs has laws to follow called "Veteran Friendly Laws." It is the responsibility of Veteran Affairs to help you apply and file a disability claim, as well as take you through the benefits application process. There are many independent organizations to help, and every U.S. state has a Regional Office where you will receive assistance free of charge. To locate your local Veteran Affairs Regional Office and any local Veteran Service Organizations, visit the Veteran Affairs website at www.va.gov.
Q: Can I hire an attorney?
A: The VA does have laws that tell attorneys when they can represent a client for a fee and when they can not. Some attorneys will represent you on a Pro Bono basis, meaning they wont charge you, and others will have you sign a Contract with a fee stipulation. If you are considering contracting a lawyer to help with your claim, it is important to contact one locally for more information about your particular case.
Q: I already get benefits for a service connected ability. Is there any other benefit I can receive?
A: The answer to this question will depend on your situation. If, for instance, your service connected disability has grown in severity since you began receiving benefits, you can apply for an increase in your percentage or rating, which will also increase the amount of your monthly benefits. The VA also has benefits for those veterans that are unemployable due to their service connected disability. If this is your situation, there is a second application that you need to fill out in order to apply. If you feel you are unemployable and should be receiving higher benefits you should contact a VSO or an Attorney to answer your questions and possibly assist you in obtaining these benefits. The VA also has benefits for those individuals that are unable to care for themselves on a regular basis or those that are unable to leave their home most of the time. This type of extra benefit is called homebound compensation. This is an option to consider if you feel you need assistance to care for yourself.
Every veterans case is different and obtaining the benefits set aside for you by the VA can be quite confusing to some people. The VAs website has a lot of information on what kind of benefits there are beyond disability benefits and what you can do to receive these benefits. If you are a veteran and you were injured in any way or your disabilities that you had before going into the service were aggravated in any way please look into your options. You served for our country and you may be entitled to veterans benefits.

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For the real scoop on social security disability, try this link www.HillandPonton.com.

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<h1>Answering Your Questions about Veteran Benefits</h1> <p> There are many veterans in our country that have no idea that they could be receiving benefits. While some feel like leaving the past behind them, so to speak, others do not even realize that there may be reason for them to receive benefits. Plus, the laborious, seemingly endless application process can seem too daunting even to give it a try. If you are a veteran and you have a disability or injury this is something you should look into, you have earned these benefits. <br />Q: How does a veteran know if he or she should be getting benefits? Who is qualified to receive benefits? <br />A: There are three key factors in determining if you might be eligible to obtain VA service connected disability benefits. The first is that you must have done service with either the Army, the Navy, the Marines, the Air Force, or the US Coast Guard. Secondly, you must currently suffer from a disability which began during your years of service, or began before hand and was worsened by doing service. This could be anything from High Blood Pressure to certain types of cancers as well as many other disabilities depending on when and where you served. Lastly, you need to show evidence that your current disability is connected to your military service. <br />An example is, if you were on leave from active duty and vacationing with your family and while skiing you fell and broke your leg or injured your knee. Today, even though many years have passed, the problem caused by that old injury is only getting worse, and you will soon need surgery to have the knee replaced. Though it may not seem like it, this injury itself is service connected, as you were on active duty when the accident or illness occurred, even though you were on leave. Secondly, now that problem is causing pain as well as other problems which you have to be treated for. <br />Q: But how will receiving benefits from Veteran Affairs really help me? <br />A: Like this: if you do obtain benefits, you can receive monthly monetary benefits, as well as eligibility to use the VA hospital and medical facilities. The benefit amount you will receive each month will be dependent on what percentage of your current disability is determined to be service connected. <br />Q: If I am currently service connected and I have hearing loss at 10% and PTSD at 30% why am I only considered 30% service connected? <br />A: The VA has a rating schedule that they use to determine what percentage is to be granted for each disability depending on the severity of the disability. They also use a rating chart to total your percentage of service connection, they do not use mathematical terms. Because determining a percentage of service connection is quite complex, if you feel that the percentage awarded you is insufficient for your disability, you should speak to a professional about your options. <br />Q: Why does my neighbor receive 70% for the same disability that I have? <br />A: This happens because Veteran Affairs determines all service connection percentages individually, based on the severity of a veterans disability. Again, there is a rating schedule that determines the amount of benefit and the percentage of service connection that each person receives. <br />Q: Can I still work and receive VA service connected disability benefits? <br />A: Yes, you can. Unlike with Social Security Disability, the disability benefits you obtain from Veteran Affairs are not affected by working. If you are granted service connection for a disability that is not keeping you from working then you can still work and receive benefits. Your disability benefits are not reduced or annulled if you are earning an income. <br />Q: Can I receive Social Security Disability benefits and VA service connected disability benefits? A: Yes. While Social Security Disability does gauge your earned income when determining your SSD benefits, your VA benefits are not considered earned income, and so will not get in the way of your SSD benefits. <br />Q: My spouse, who was in the service and getting benefits from the VA for a service connected disability, has passed away. Am I eligible to get his or her VA benefits? <br />A: There are benefits for surviving spouses and dependent children. However, every case is different, and you need to be sure to speak to a professional before moving forward. <br />Q: How do I file a claim? <br />A: Veteran Affairs has laws to follow called "Veteran Friendly Laws." It is the responsibility of Veteran Affairs to help you apply and file a disability claim, as well as take you through the benefits application process. There are many independent organizations to help, and every U.S. state has a Regional Office where you will receive assistance free of charge. To locate your local Veteran Affairs Regional Office and any local Veteran Service Organizations, visit the Veteran Affairs website at www.va.gov. <br />Q: Can I hire an attorney? <br />A: The VA does have laws that tell attorneys when they can represent a client for a fee and when they can not. Some attorneys will represent you on a Pro Bono basis, meaning they wont charge you, and others will have you sign a Contract with a fee stipulation. If you are considering contracting a lawyer to help with your claim, it is important to contact one locally for more information about your particular case. <br />Q: I already get benefits for a service connected ability. Is there any other benefit I can receive? <br />A: The answer to this question will depend on your situation. If, for instance, your service connected disability has grown in severity since you began receiving benefits, you can apply for an increase in your percentage or rating, which will also increase the amount of your monthly benefits. The VA also has benefits for those veterans that are unemployable due to their service connected disability. If this is your situation, there is a second application that you need to fill out in order to apply. If you feel you are unemployable and should be receiving higher benefits you should contact a VSO or an Attorney to answer your questions and possibly assist you in obtaining these benefits. The VA also has benefits for those individuals that are unable to care for themselves on a regular basis or those that are unable to leave their home most of the time. This type of extra benefit is called homebound compensation. This is an option to consider if you feel you need assistance to care for yourself. <br />Every veterans case is different and obtaining the benefits set aside for you by the VA can be quite confusing to some people. The VAs website has a lot of information on what kind of benefits there are beyond disability benefits and what you can do to receive these benefits. If you are a veteran and you were injured in any way or your disabilities that you had before going into the service were aggravated in any way please look into your options. You served for our country and you may be entitled to veterans benefits. <br /> <h2>About the Author</h2> For the real scoop on <a href="http://www.HillandPonton.com" Title="Orlando social security lawyer, Social security benefits orlando">social security disability</a>, try this link www.HillandPonton.com. </p>

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