The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs administers a program that provides VA disability compensation (benefits) for military veterans who suffer an injury or illness that was caused by or got worse because of active military service. For veterans who meet specific eligibility criteria, disability compensation may include financial support and other benefits like health care. The Law Office of Ricky Stern helps military veterans secure all the benefits they are entitled to under federal and state laws and regulations.

Eligibility for VA Disability Compensation

To be eligible for VA disability benefits, a veteran must have: 1) A current physical or mental condition (illness or injury), 2) Served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, and 3) The illness or injury is caused by their time in the military.

A disability compensation claim falls into one of three categories:

• Inservice disability claim: The veteran got sick or injured while in the military, and can link the current condition to the illness or injury.
• Preservice disability claim: The veteran had an illness or injury prior to joining the military, and military service made the condition worse.
• Postservice disability claim: The veteran has a disability related to active-duty service that did not appear until after the end of service.

VA disability compensation covers veterans and qualified dependents.

Conditions Covered by VA Disability Benefits

VA disability compensation covers a wide range of physical and mental injuries and illnesses. Examples of common conditions that support a disability claim include:

• Back disability causing chronic (long-lasting) back pain
• Breathing problems from a current lung condition or disease
• Severe hearing loss
• Range of motion loss in body (such as in the arms, legs, etc.)
• Cancer caused by toxic chemicals or other risks
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Depression or anxiety
• Hypertension, diabetes, ulcers, arthritis, and similar conditions that appear within one year of discharge

A chronic illness that appears within one year after discharge is presumed to qualify as a disability, as is an illness caused by contaminants or hazardous materials or an illness caused by time spent as a prisoner of war (POW).

The above are only examples of conditions that may support a VA disability compensation claim. The key to receiving benefits is providing detailed medical records that provide documentary evidence of your medical history and condition.

Amount of VA Disability Compensation

VA disability compensation is a monthly tax-free payment to veterans who meet the eligibility requirements. Compensation rates are set each year, taking into account annual cost-of-living increases.

One factor that determines VA disability compensation is the veteran’s disability rating, which is determined by the severity of the service-connected illness or injury. Your disability rating affects the amount of compensation you receive, as well as your eligibility for other VA benefits. In some cases, a veteran may have multiple disability ratings. A combined disability rating is calculated based on more than simply adding up the individual disability ratings.

Individual VA disability compensation is based on the veteran’s disability rating and also on which specific dependents are also in the household. Except for those with 10% to 20% disability ratings, a veteran receives additional compensation for having a spouse, dependent child, or dependent parent. For example, the monthly compensation for 2022 for a veteran with a 100% disability rating and no dependents is a little over $3330. If the veteran has a spouse, the amount increases to just over $3500. If the veteran has a child, spouse, and two parents, the monthly compensation is more than $3900.

Get the VA Disability Compensation You Deserve

A very important factor in receiving VA disability compensation is the medical records you provide as evidence to document the nature and extent of the injury or illness and its origin. In addition to helping you process the claim according to the VA requirements, our VA disability benefits lawyers assist with analysis, review, and compilation of the medical records that support your claim.

Getting help from a professional can affect your disability rating, which affects the amount of compensation you receive, and can also affect your success in proving eligibility for VA disability compensation. At The Law Office of Ricky Stern, we provide personal service to every client and advocate professionally and aggressively for you at every step of the process. Your first consultation is free of charge and without obligation, so you lose nothing by discussing your VA disability claim with us.