Service members often suffer physical or mental damage while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Often this leads to disabilities that follow the service members after they leave the service. Disabilities may be physical, such as an amputation or other injury related to service, or mental, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or other service-related mental illness. The Department of Veterans Affairs determines the degree of disability and provides benefits to disabled veterans.
Application
To receive disability compensation and benefits, the VA must first determine that the veteran is disabled. To start the process, submit an application using the VA Online Application (see Resources) or call the Department of Veterans Affairs to have an application mailed to you. The VA will request additional information, including access to your medical records. Complete and return all the requested forms and releases within one month of receipt.
Medical Exam
Once a Rating Veterans Service Representative reviews your application and medical records, he will decide whether a medical exam is needed. The medical exam includes a review of your medical records, a physical and/or psychiatric exam and any additional diagnostic tests ordered by the doctor. There is no charge for the exam and no treatments will be given.
Disability Determination
Once all exams have been completed, the Rating Veterans Service Representative reviews all the information at his disposal and makes a disability determination. The representative determines whether the disability is temporary or permanent and whether it is partial or total.
Appeal Process
If the service member does not agree with the rating, she may appeal the decision with the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) by submitting a Notice of Disagreement form to the local VA office within one year of the decision. The VA will review your disagreement and send you a Statement of Case presenting the evidence supporting the decision and Form 9. You must submit your reply on Form 9, presenting your desired benefit decision and any errors in the VA's Statement of Case. You have the option to request a personal hearing prior to a decision by the Board of Veterans Appeals. After the hearing and reviewing your file, the BVA will make a final decision on your case.
Disability Compensation and Benefits
Monthly compensation is provided based upon the severity of disability. Veterans who served during war and who are permanently and temporarily disabled are also eligible for a monthly pension based on the veteran's income. In addition, the VA provides Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance, a life insurance policy of up to $10,000, and Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance policies of up to $90,000 for severely disabled veterans. Disabled veterans are also eligible for medical treatment, including rehabilitation services, alcohol and drug treatment, prosthetic services and other medical and dental care.
