Once you are officially designated as disabled, you can claim veterans benefits. Furthermore, you must be at least ten percent disabled due to an injury or illness that was incurred or aggravated during active service or active or inactive duty training. Only those that were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable can claim. As the procedure can be quite complicated, it is always a good idea to discuss your claim with a veterans benefits attorney in Texas.
The application procedure:
The initial claim can be made at any VA regional office or online. To be considered for benefits, the applicant must establish that he or she is disabled and the disability can be traced to military duty. The VA will conduct a physical examination to determine to what extent you are disabled.
Evidence needed:
You must have supporting evidence that documents your disability along with records that ties your disability to your military service. If you are in possession of medical records, these are acceptable, if not, you can submit medical opinions from physicians. When making a claim, you must have:
- Discharge papers
- Records of service treatment if available
- Medical evidence from a doctor or hospital
If you think there may be questions asked about your condition, you can provide any evidence that you feel will support your claim. As well as medical records, you can submit statements from military friends or anyone else that can verify your claim.
Applying alone or with assistance?
The Department of Veterans Affairs suggests that you should work closely with a veterans benefits attorney in Texas. There is a great deal of supporting information and evidence required, and you will be faced with an unnecessary delay if anything is missing. If your initial application is not approved, the appeals process can take a considerable amount of time.
If you applied for veterans benefits, only to be denied, you should discuss your claim with a knowledgeable veterans benefits attorney in Texas. For a free initial consultation contact Jackson & MacNichol, Attorneys at Law.