Tuesday, June 19, 2012

How to Raise Your Veterans Disability

By Jhonna Moye

Veteran's disability pay is a monthly payment that disabled veteran's receive from the Department of Veterans Affairs. A veteran receiving disability compensation payments may be entitled to an increase in monthly benefits if the disability worsens or if he develops another disability relating to the existing one.

Obtain a copy of your DD 214 form--your military service record--if you do not have one. This can be done by requesting a new copy online from the Federal Archives, or by filling out and mailing an SF 180 form, which is available online or at VA facility.

Request copies of your medical records from all of your care providers. This includes any records you may have from private doctors as well as any records from Veteran's Affairs hospitals or facilities where you have received treatment.

Acquire copies of your marriage certificate if married, and copies of your children's birth certificates if you are responsible for their care. Married veterans or veterans with dependents are eligible for higher compensation rates.

Fill out at copy of VA Form 21-256. This form can be obtained at Veteran's Affairs hospitals or other VA facilities. Fill out the form completely. Use the information from your DD 214 to fill out the required information regarding your dates and branch of service. Be sure to list the benefits that you currently receive from the VA, as well as the condition or conditions that you believe have worsened. The form requires information about your employment in the past year as well as your net worth. The VA will consider this information when deciding your claim, and must be supplied for the claim to be processed.

Attach the DD 214, medical records, and marriage and birth certificates (if applicable) to the VA Form -21-256. Obtain the mailing address of the VA regional office that serves you from your local VA facility. Mail all of the documents to the regional office, where your claim will be reviewed and decided.

Although no special legal help is needed to apply for an increase in benefits, free help is available to veterans through groups such as the VFW and the American Legion. The initial application for an increase in benefits can be completed online at the Veteran's Affairs website, but all other material required must be submitted through the mail.


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