How to Help Veterans With Disability Claims

There are special laws pertaining to veterans, who do not qualify for workers compensation for injuries sustained while on the job, as other employees. If they become disabled, they must file the proper paperwork with the VA to receive the benefits they are entitled.

Directions:

1. Look over the veteran's medical records. Make sure they are complete. If the records are not complete, make a formal request for the complete records. Once you have them, look over them to determine injuries and corresponding treatment records for those injuries. Make a copy of all important documents that pertain to injuries and treatments.


2. The VA website has useful information concerning the guidelines for what constitutes disability. Cross-reference these guidelines with the information you found in the medical records. Make sure the injury or medical problem qualifies, and is at the proper level to qualify for a disability claim. Qualifications relate to pain and level of injury.


3. A legal veteran's claims representative can help with the paperwork and other processing pertinent to the claim. They will have useful information about the system and are familiar with the way the process works. Most of these services, particularly through the Veterans Service Office or the Foreign Legion, are done without charge.


4. The veteran will likely be scheduled appointments with VA doctors to verify the injury or other disability. Make sure that the appointments with doctors are kept, and the veteran is cooperating and participating. If he does not make the appointments as scheduled, this will be considered grounds to deny the disability claim.