Navigating VA Disability Compensation Benefits- Am I eligible?

Navigating VA Disability Compensation Benefits- Am I eligible?

Posted by Michael E. Lyons | Dec 02, 2016 | 0 Comments

VA disability compensation is a monthly tax-free benefit paid to a Veteran or eligible family member because of a service connected disability. Veterans or eligible family members are entitled to these benefits, unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a Veteran to be wrongfully denied benefits. Patriots Law Group can assist you if you have been wrongfully denied benefits, we are here to advocate for you and your family through the complex VA process.

Let's take a quick look at the basics of what VA disability compensation benefits encompass:

Who is eligible?

  • Active duty in the Armed Forces
  • Active duty for training
  • Inactive duty training
  • You were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions
  • You are at least 10% disabled by an injury or disease that was incurred in or aggravated during active duty or active duty for training, or inactive duty training.

What injuries are eligible?

  1. The injury or disease must have been sustained in the line of military duty.
  2. A pre-existing injury or disease must have been aggravated by military duty.

What types of disabilities may be covered? (This list is not exhaustive)

  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Military Sexual Trauma
  • Gulf War Syndrome
  • Brain Injury
  • Depression
  • Agent Orange
  • Mental Illness
  • Respiratory Problems
  • Skin Conditions
  • Vision or Hearing Loss
  • Heart and Cardiovascular Problems
  • Blue Water Veterans
  • Camp Lejeune Illness

Other disability compensation programs include:

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation  (DIC): A tax free monetary benefit generally payable to a surviving spouse, child, or parent of service members who died while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training, or to survivors of veterans who died from their survive connected disabilities

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): An additional tax free benefit that can be paid to veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses, and parents. This is a high rate of compensation paid due to special circumstances such as a need of aid and attendance by another person or by specific disability, such as loss of use of one hand or leg.

We know your know your service. We share your values.

DISCLAIMER:  The information above is for general informational purposes only.  No attorney-client relationship is intended or created by this information.  Each individual situation is different and therefore a formal in-person consultation is necessary before any specific advice may be relied upon as appropriate and accurate for a given situation. Please call Patriots Law Group at 301-952-9000 to set up a consultation if you wish to obtain specific legal advice you may rely upon. We serve clients anywhere in the world, with in-person consultations available at our Suitland, MD office — right next to Andrews Air Force Base — for clients in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. 

About the Author

Michael E. Lyons

“As a veteran, I bring my core values of service, integrity, and excellence to every client, every case, every time.” Background: Michael E. Lyons (“Mike”) handles cases in Maryland and Washington D.C. fr...

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