Every year, we take the time to celebrate and honor the veterans across the U.S. on Nov. 11. Because today is that day, we want to take the opportunity to remind our readers who are veterans or have loved ones who have served in the military of their options to collect benefits.
Veterans suffer a wide range of serious physical and mental disabilities and injuries during active duty. There may be no more psychologically or physically demanding position than soldier, and the extent of these conditions can be devastating. Seeking benefits can be essential for veterans who are coping with service-related illnesses or injuries.
Basically speaking, veterans apply for benefits in much the same way as other disabled workers. However, they apply through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Once a claim has been filed, a VA representative will evaluate the application and decide if additional information is necessary. If more information is, in fact, needed, the representative will try to collect this evidence by contacting parties including the applicant or medical professionals and review the claim again.
After this, a decision is recommended and then reviewed. During each of these steps, a VA representative can decide that more information is needed and the claim can be held up.
This can be a lengthy and complicated process. Just like the Social Security Administration, the VA receives an overwhelmingly high number of applications and the process of reviewing claims veterans’ benefits leaves much room for improvement.
In order to ease some of the anxiety and frustration of trying to submit a complete application and help the application through the system, veterans and their families can seek support and guidance from an attorney. A lawyer who is familiar with the VA system and disability benefits programs can provide people with the help they may need to pursue the benefits they may deserve.
