VA Compensation Claims
Get Help Obtaining Veterans Compensation Benefits
The veterans compensation benefit program provides necessary monthly income to eligible disabled veterans. At the northern Illinois law offices of Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates, Ltd., our attorneys help disabled vets nationwide understand their rights and the VA benefits process, and battle to assert their claim to veterans compensation benefits.
Do I Qualify for VA Compensation Benefits?
To qualify for disability compensation, a veteran must demonstrate the following:
- He or she is a veteran with other than a dishonorable discharge
- He or she has a current temporary or permanent disability
- The disability was either a result of his or her service or aggravated by service
- There is medical evidence of the link between the disability and service
- The disability did not result from the veteran's own willful misconduct or abuse or alcohol/drugs
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) relies on the veteran's claims file, medical records, service and personnel documents, and other evidence such as witness statements to make its determination.
After a veteran files a claim for disability compensation with their veteran's administration regional office, the VA then decides three things:
- Whether the veteran is entitled to compensation
- The degree of the veteran's disability
- The date the compensation should begin — usually the date the VA receives the claim
How Much Compensation Am I Entitled To?
If the VA agrees that the veteran has the claimed disability/condition and that it is service connected, they will then use a system to "rate" the veteran's disability. The rating system is used to assess the severity of the disability. This rating, expressed as a percentage, determines the amount of monthly compensation the veteran will get. If the veteran has multiple disabilities, the VA uses a special chart to determine the overall rating; the individual ratings are not simply added together.
Was Your Disability Claim Denied or Undervalued?
Often, the VA agrees the veteran has a disability or condition, but does not agree that it is service-connected and will altogether deny the claim for veterans disability compensation benefits. Another common occurrence involves the VA agreeing that the veteran has a service-connected disability, but rates the disability very low. If you find yourself in either situation, you can continue your battle.
Adverse decisions, such as an undervalued disability or a denied claim for disability compensation, can be appealed. However, there are specific time frames and rules that must be followed in order to succeed with your appeal. The attorneys at Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates, Ltd. can help veterans in Illinois and throughout the United States appeal denied claims for veterans disability compensation benefits. Learn more about why you should hire an attorney when pursuing veterans compensation benefits.
There is no statute of limitations for filing a claim for veterans compensation — if you are a veteran who served on active duty at any time, no matter how long ago, you may be eligible for disability compensation benefits. By law, attorneys can now get involved in this process as soon as the VA regional office denies your claim – the first denial – when the veteran must file a Notice of Disagreement. We can file this Notice on your behalf and help you navigate the appeals process going forward.
Contact us at Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates, Ltd. for experienced, aggressive advocacy.
