Veterans Disability
Benefit Interview Below
Follow along
with the Interviews Questions & Answers and get step by step directions in plain
English all about veterans benefits
1. Types of benefits
The Veterans Administration provides many services from Hospital Care to Vocational Rehabilitation to Home Loans and an extensive list of other services.
Q: What types of benefits are available to Veterans?
A: Service-Connected Compensation for an injury or wound sustained on active
duty and Veterans Pensions Non service connected
Veterans Pensions based on a need
basis if you income level meet the criteria .... most will get on Pensions first because the approval time is faster
then move to get on Service-Connected Compensation
Average pension award on pension $500.00 - $700.00 per month Service-Connected 10 % 117.00 per month up to 100% disabled with
VA married no
kids $2669.00
75 % - 80% of claims are service connected
2. Where to go & how to start
Q: where does a Veteran go to find help in both understanding
and applying for benefits?
A: start with references from friends ask if they know of a reliable source
that can help apply for veterans disability benefits ... they go by different
names county agents, service officers, veterans
representatives...
Next narrow your search by going to a VA facility ie: VA hospital if you don't
know where you local VA hospital is call 1-800 827 1000
Q. is necessary to use a representative of is the paperwork available and
the process allow a Veteran to apply on their own
A. You can apply on your own however less
than 1% of vets that apply for benefits with out guidance are approved
3. Records
Q. What kinds of basic records and forms should a Vet have for his first meeting with a representative?
A: Bring your DD214.. if you don have one you can get one at www.va.gov
(DD214 = list time in service rank where you served awards, what you did on
active duty)
Q. What else do you need
A. Bring your medical records ...go on line to request your medical records
Tip don't get bogged down trying to collect all of your
medical records if you run into delays meet with your rep any ways because it more
important to get you application going than have 100% of your records.
Q:
anything else that would support you case
A: photo's, statement from buddies that
witnessed an event that caused your disability
Q: key tips for the representative interview
A: be cautious of representative
that dabble in VA benefits, it could be an expensive mistake if you allow them
to take your case and they are not able to win it. Your first meeting is really
just an interview to learn if the representatives experience and training is
enough to win your case
If you are not comfortable with a representative do not feel
bad about declining their offer to represent you.. its ok to tell them
straight that you are interview several before your decide on the
one.
Remember your looking for are some one in a busy office that does lots
of claims, understands the nature of your case, is competent in VA disability
Claims and willing to
fight for you.
Q: is it realistic to ask the representative for a communication plan so that a Veteran knows what is going on with the case and that its not
sitting in a filing cabinet,
A: ask for a copy of all paper work that is complete... you must become an
administrator and keep very accurate records, also ask when can I expect to hear something? You can also call
800 827
1000 and ask for a case status.
4. Veterans Pensions
Q: Let's review Veterans Pensions, how much $$$
A: $500.00 - $700.00 per month based on current resources ... really designed to help a vet that is down and out.
Q: can you do you apply for both how do you know
A: Representative will apply for both ... but the Rep will give you an idea of
what is most applicable .. you only can receive one or the other and both are
tax free
Q: what if you don not have all your records or they were lost at the main VA records bureau in St Louis,
A: ask the representative what help they can provide, can ask for record
again, if the Dr is asking for money for records have the Representative request
records on the VA behalf the will get them at not charge
Q: how long does it take to get a pension approved
A: 3 - 5 months to get a pension approved is common
If
you experience delays or get denied do not be afraid to write or go see your
congressman
Q: if you get denied
A. have the representative review the denial and file an appeal the goal is to get a meeting with a
Decision Review Officer (DRO) so you
can plead your case in person ... In some instances the DRO will approve
the decision on the spot.
** If you get denied you have one year from denial to appeal
4. Service-Connected Compensation
Q: lets review Service-Connected Compensation
A: do not exclude anything make a list of it all. All
activities that happened on active duty can be considered even a twisted ankle
from playing football, hearing loss, rape and or courser the common occurrences
and conditions PTSD, wound, bad back, malaria.
Q: is it more difficult to win a Psychological claim for a condition like PTSD
vs a wound or physical impairment.
A: different strategy, have to detail an event or more that will satisfy
the VA that it had long lasting events on your life, need to have allot of
confidence in your representative.
Q: Is there anything different that one needs to apply for Service Connected Compensation
A: the application and the process is the dame
Q: what the approval process for Service Connected Compensation
A: its a process, you may not get what you expect or are entitled to right
away. keep the claim active "in play" most common that you will get
approved for 10%. Extreme case will be approved.
Q: will the representative assess a case and set the expectation on what
percentage of compensation a Veteran qualify for
A: Run if they give you a percentage, the reps job is to process the
case
Q: does an applicant have any idea in advance what to expect for a percentage
of compensation
A. this is discussed in ranges
Q: If and applicant does not know what they are entitled to for a percentage
how are they to understand if the awarded percentage is fair and
accurate
A: representative is going to educate you and you need to educate your self
...
Q: could a veteran also apply for social security disability
A: yes they can
Q: could a veteran also apply for Long Term Disability Ie: Unum, met
life guardian
A: yes they can
Q: do you have some tips to maximize the chances of sinning in the shortest
period of time
A. Stay organized, Choose the correct representative, keep all papers
sent to you from the VA, answer every letter from the VA, if you don't
understand something go see your rep, keep a copy of medical records.
(FYI the VA could loose your records so be prepared)
Helpful Web Sites
1. The Veterans Administration (VA)
A. VA Main web site Click Here
B. For a Directory of VA offices Click
Here
C. Request Your Medical Records From The VA Click
Here
D. How To request your DD214 Click
Here
2. Social Security Disability (SSDI)
A. The Disability Digest SSDI mini course is where you can get all the answers
Click Here!
B. Learn If You Have a Social Security Disability Case,
and How to Maximize Your Chances
Of Winning Click
Here!
4. Questions or comments for Don Rait? Click
Here
Thanks you for putting your trust in
us to help you through the disability maze
Best Regards
Brian Therrien
PS: To learn Absolutely Every Thing There Is To Know About Disability Click
Here and Visit Our Members Area
All About Veterans Disability Benefits
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