Here's a question most veterans never think to ask: "Could my service-connected disability be CAUSING other health problems?" If the answer is yes—and it very often is—you could be entitled to additional compensation through secondary service connection . This is one of the most powerful and underutilized strategies in VA disability claims. What Is Secondary Service Connection? A secondary service-connected disability is a condition that was caused by or aggravated by

Each VA claim is unique. Even if two veterans have an identical medical condition, the VA may award them a different rating. To make matters even more perplexing, one of the veterans may be granted benefits while the other is rejected. Why? The success or failure of a claim is determined by a variety of variables. It is crucial to have proof. Evidence demonstrating your injuries and establishing a service connection should be included in your claim. You must demonstrate the c

The VA believes that certain impairments identified in veterans were caused by their time in the military. Veterans can receive income under the VA's disability compensation payments program if they have a disability as a consequence of a service-related injury. To be eligible for benefits, you must show that you are currently disabled, that your disability is related to your service on active duty, and that you were discharged from the military under honorable terms. Certain

Veterans who have multiple disabilities are often confused by how the VA obtains their overall disability rating. While it may seem that a condition with a 60% disability rating and a condition with a 50% rating would make you totally disabled, this is not the case. How VA Math Works The VA recognizes that it’s impossible to be more than 100% disabled, regardless of how many disabilities you have. As such, combining a 60% disability and a 50% disability will not earn you a

If you’ve applied for VA disability benefits or have filed an appeal, it’s understandable to feel impatient. The VA is known to be slow...

We all owe a debt of gratitude to United States veterans. When many of us were at home, making a living and enjoying daily tasks, these...

Process and Timeline The Veteran Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (AMA) was created to streamline the process for...

The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) is responsible for compensating military veterans who received a disability during their...

VA Disability Rating for Neck Pain (Cervicalgia), Cervical Spine Pain, & Neck Arthritis The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) views conditions of the spine through two main categories—neck and back. Back pain typically refers to injuries in the lower half of the spine or the thoracolumbar section. Neck pain refers to the top seven vertebrae of the cervical spine. Pain in the neck—or cervicalgia—is recognized by VA as a disability that should be compensated if caused by mil

It’s important to remember that your effective date only matters if your claim is approved by VA. If your claim is denied, you will...