VA Disabilities

[golden]

Like many of us who retired a long time ago, my disabilities have increased to the point that some of them directly affect my RVing. My question is simple. Are non-service disabilities that occur AFTER military service considered or only those that occur as a result of military service? If they are considered, how do I go about getting them recognized by the VA? I'm aware that the disability rating I was granted at the time of my retirement can be increased and never decreased, but this is a different situation.

[tncruiser]

my understanding is if it is service aggravated or contributed to your disabilities then yes va is responsable. best thing to do is get a service officer from dav ,am legion or vfw to review your case DO NOT TRY BY YOURSELf OR PAY A LAWYER.remember va ,s job is to give the least ,service advisors spend many hours learning when to cross t,s and dot I,s and they are on your side. i am active in all 3 org. if you need help pm and i will try and help
brianj

[ChiefJohn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by golden Like many of us who retired a long time ago, my disabilities have increased to the point that some of them directly affect my RVing. My question is simple. Are non-service disabilities that occur AFTER military service considered or only those that occur as a result of military service? If they are considered, how do I go about getting them recognized by the VA? I'm aware that the disability rating I was granted at the time of my retirement can be increased and never decreased, but this is a different situation.

Your disability must be 'service connected' for you to qualify for VA disability benefits. In your claim, its imperative that you (in your opinion) have established a nexus between your physical/mental disability and military service. When in doubt, submit your claim and let the experts determine your eligibility.

[golden]

Thanks for the advice. It doesn't appear that I qualify for an additional disability.

[Wayne M]

Golden,
Did you put "boots on the ground," in Vietnam?

If you did, then you may qualify for more than you realize. Do as suggested. Contact a service officer. It is the best way to determine your eligibility.

[Whaler]

Listen to Wayne M, Golden.But do try to find a good service officer,you have to talk to people.Unfortunately,their is a lot of dead wood masquerading as service officers out there.As much as I hate to say this,you might look into a,"lawyer",one of 'them' may have a little incentive to get you something.They don't get paid unless you get money.And from what you are saying,you deserve it!

[JBroadaway]

In my opinion you are making the wrong assumption when you state you have "non-service disabilities". You should do as others have suggested and get a service organization to help you file a claim. I cannot stress enough that you need to let the VA decide if your problems are "non-service". It won't cost you a dime to let the VA decide that!!!!!

[1oleman]

Does the VA ever raise a vet's disability as their age agrivates a service connected disability?I'm falling apart at the seams. Ed

[Whaler]

No!but if you can get the service officer(SO) who took care of you in the beginning,he can re-submit with new evidence to the VA.Or if you have to,you can get a new SO,and give him a power of attorney to get the old records from the VA to re-submit the new stuff.And hopefully,you get a raise!

[PNWGirl]

My former husband went through the American Legion. The VA is such a convoluted system that only an expert can navigate it! I lost count of how many times the VA denied disability but we kept at it (would have been discouraged if not for the Am.Legion rep in Portland, who told us that this was part & parcel of the VA game) and finally the VA gave in and he has the disability rating.

After what we went through, I would never recommend anyone trying on their own. You need your own 'shark' when you are swimmin' in that tank!

Sheila

[powerboatr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNWGirl My former husband went through the American Legion. The VA is such a convoluted system that only an expert can navigate it! I lost count of how many times the VA denied disability but we kept at it (would have been discouraged if not for the Am.Legion rep in Portland, who told us that this was part & parcel of the VA game) and finally the VA gave in and he has the disability rating. After what we went through, I would never recommend anyone trying on their own. You need your own 'shark' when you are swimmin' in that tank! Sheila

My last go around i did it solo 60 up to 100% broken
it took tons of time and phone calls to a person they put on my case.
after over a year it was settled

i used
Disabled American Veterans
on my first go around and they were great
the internet helps alot, all the forms are online, you just have to poke em in the eye with their own rules, i wasn't/couldn't working and had lots of time to devote to squeaking.

use your senators as well, write letters, phone or email

[koda59]

There is a site called Veterans Benefit Network. It is a free site for veterans or their spouce to read or ask questions. To ask a question you need to register. This site deals with many different issue that veterans encounter. There are people that have worked for VA as raters and some that have worked for Social Security. I have been helped as well as my friends. The web site is

vets.yuku.com
Do not put www infront.

[livnthedream]

There is a web site that will be very helpful to find what you are looking for-VBN-Veterans Benefit Network. I was in the DAV in Tucson Chapter 14 last week and the service officer suggested I get a book called Veterans Survival Guide. It's author is John D. Roche. It shows you what the VA is looking for in filing a claim. However I agree a great service officer is the best.