What Qualifies Me for Veteran’s Benefits?
In order to qualify for veteran’s benefits, you must be considered a military veteran, meaning you must have:
- Served in the Uniformed Services on active duty;
- Been on active duty for trainings; or
- Been on inactive duty for training, been discharged under conditions that weren’t dishonorable, and be at least 10% disabled by a condition that was brought about by your job.
Common disabilities that are incurred while in the armed forces include physical disabilities, such as:
- Paralysis
- Blindness
- Hearing loss
- Amputation of a limb
- Traumatic brain injuries, which are a large cause of injury among veterans who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq
Mental health issues, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Exposure to toxic substances, such as:
- Agent Orange
- Radiation
- Fibromyalgia
- Herbicides
Unless you have a “presumed disability,” you will need to be able to provide medical evidence of your injury. Specifically, you will need to prove that your injury is both current and was brought about by your time in the military rather than by outside circumstances.
Presumed disabilities do not require this proof, and include:
- Being a former prisoner of war
- Chronic diseases that were discovered within a certain period of time after being discharged
- Exposure to radiation or mustard gas
- Exposure to herbicides (serving in Vietnam)
- Serving in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War
Disability Compensation
Disability compensation is a financial benefit that is paid to you if you are at least 10% disabled by a disease or injury that was obtained or worsened during active duty. If you have a disability that is related to one you obtained during service, you may be compensated for the injury, disease, or even a secondary injury that occurred after your service has ended. These disabilities can be related to physical or mental health problems. The more disabling your injury is, the more compensation you may be eligible to receive per month.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
This type of financial benefit is available to a spouse, child, or parent of a service member who died while on duty, or who died as a result of injuries that they obtained during their service.
Special Monthly Compensation
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is a benefit that can be paid due to certain circumstances of an injury, such as the loss of a limb or blindness. This type of service can help veterans who need additional assistance as a result of their injuries.
Additional Services
Other services available to disabled veterans include:
- Adapted housing grants
- Service-Disable Veterans’ Insurance
- Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance
Lawyers can be extremely helpful during the entire veterans’ benefit process. Evidence needs to prove that the disability that you suffer from was due to something that happened while you were performing your job as a service member. An attorney can help you during this complicated process and obtain proof, such as medical records and expert witnesses who will testify on your behalf. To speak with a team member at Hughes & Coleman today, call or fill out a case evaluation form online.
If you have waited to contact an attorney because you don’t think you will be able to pay the fees associated with representation, don’t wait a second longer. The attorneys at Hughes & Coleman work on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay your attorney if you receive benefits. If your attorney can’t help you get the compensation that you deserve, then you can walk away without owing a penny for the representation you received. You’ve got nothing to lose. Call or fill out a case evaluation form today.
Don’t Wait—Let Us Help You Today
Our qualified legal team can help you get started today on getting your Veterans disability benefits. It’s important to begin the process as soon as possible after discovery of your disability since the VA can take months or sometimes years to approve benefits. Working with our team can expedite the process and get you on your way to receiving benefits sooner.
You served our country – now let us serve you.
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