Tuesday, June 19, 2012

How to Increase VA Disability Benefits

By Jonathan Lister

VA disability benefits for veterans wounded in the line of duty can mean the difference between having a comfortable quality of life and not being able to pay bills. With respect to the extent of injuries suffered, veterans filing for benefits are urged to communicate as clearly and emphatically as possible, as well as provide as much medical evidence as possible with regard to the long-standing effects of injuries.

A nexus letter is a statement from a medical professional attesting to the severity of your injuries suffered as a result of your military service. This letter or in-person testimony can be used to increase your disability benefits as determined by your VA Regional Office. The nexus letter is required to include a diagnosis of injury, the examining physician's professional opinion as to how this injury was sustained and the likelihood of this injury or injuries affecting the patient in the long term. A nexus letter is essential step in winning a disability award and gives you the best chance of increasing disability benefits.

The federal government periodically grants sweeping increases to military benefits for those injured in the service of the United States. The problem with these increases is that veterans are required to apply for them and benefits are not increased automatically. According to a 2010 New York Times article, only 921 veterans have applied through the Veterans Affairs System for increased benefits out of an estimated 77,000 eligible. When it is ruled that wounded veterans are less than 30 percent disabled and possess less than 20 years of service, they are given a one-time severance payment and do not receive monthly disability payments.

Increasing the percentage ruling of your injury is a key element in increasing VA disability benefits. You have one year from the VA's initial ruling to file an appeal with the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims or inform them in writing of your intentions to file an appeal. You have the right to file appeals with a court of higher authority all the way to the federal Supreme Court. During these appeals you are required to show the severity of your injuries and how the VA's ruling inadequately accounts for how your life has been affected.


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