When you hear about VA disability benefits for the first time, the process may seem pretty straightforward and easy to understand. If you are disabled or were injured while serving in the military, you may be entitled to compensation. However, the more you start learning about VA benefits, the more confusing the process can become.
It may be best to use a disability rating guide from the Department of Veteran Affairs to determine the number of benefits you should receive. Here are some important things to keep in mind when applying for your benefits as well as some factors that the VA considers when establishing your disability rating.
How the VA Determines Ratings
The Department of Veteran Affairs will give you a disability rating based on the intensity of your service-related health condition. The rating is used to determine how much compensation will be awarded to you every month. Your disability rating is also used to determine whether you’re eligible for additional VA benefits.
If you have more than one disability rating, the VA will use these ratings to determine a combined rating for you. Calculating your combined rating involves a process that entails more than adding up all your ratings. This is why some veterans have a different combined rating from the total of your disability ratings.
What Is a Disability Rating?
The VA assigns a rating to you based on how severe your disability is. The rating is expressed as a percentage that represents how much your disability impacts your health and ability to function in everyday life.
Your rating is then used to determine your rate of compensation so the VA can calculate how much money to distribute to you per month. The rating is also used to determine if you are available for other VA benefits including VA health care.
Your disability rating is based on:
-The evidence you provide to the VA such as medical test results or a physician’s report
-The results of your VA claim exam, which is also called a C&P, pension, or compensation exam
-Additional information from federal agencies and other sources
The VA uses the “whole person theory” method to determine your combined disability rating. This ensures that your rating doesn’t exceed 100% since no one can be over 100% able-bodied.
Disabilities that Worsened During Service
If you had a disability before joining the service, your monthly compensation will be based on the degree to which the condition worsened during your military service. This is known as “level of aggravation,” which means defining how much your condition impacted your life as a direct result of the duties you performed in the military.
For example, if you had a condition that was at a 10% when you joined the military and the condition worsened to 20% during your active duty, your level of aggravation is 10% since your pre-existing condition got 10% during your time in the military.
Combined Disability Ratings
If you have more than one disability rating, the VA will use a table to calculate your overall disability rating. Determining your combined rating entails more than simply adding up the sum of your ratings. This is why some veterans have a combined rating that differs from their individual rating sum. The table allows you to see the compensation you’ll receive for a minor disability, a moderate disability, or a major disability. In general, the more the disability impacts your ability to function healthily, the higher your compensation will be.
If you need to know which VA benefits you’re entitled to or want more information on your rights as a military veteran, a VA benefits attorney can help you through the process. You’ll likely need to show your lawyer proof of your disability from a doctor to help accelerate your case. A lawyer who is skilled in veteran’s affairs can review the details of your case and help you get the compensation that you deserve.
Author:
With a law degree under his belt and years of experience, Mark Scott set off to make the law more accessible to all. He decided to help people lost in the maze of legal terminology to find their way. Mark writes clear and concise pieces and gives simple advice that is easy to follow. On account of positive feedback from readers, he decided to dedicate more of his time to this goal and became a legal columnist. In his writings, Mark covers a wide array of topics, like how to seek legal counsel, or how to deal with different procedures. Furthermore, he directs his readers toward other trustworthy resources for more in-depth information.
