Veteran is defined by many as — a person who signed a blank check to the United States of America for an amount up to and including their life. These men and women have signed on the dotted line to serve our great country and many have come home with battle scars — both visible and invisible — that have left a lasting impact on them and their families.
When veterans return home, many struggle with service-connected disabilities that can range from anxiety, depression, and PTSD to lung cancer, tinnitus, and back pain. Veterans who have served our country with distinction and struggle with a disability in their daily lives are entitled to disability benefits via the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — but still, some veterans do not receive the benefits they deserve — and that is where QRF Legal Services can help.
Veterans who have not applied for disability in the past may not know where to start or how the process works and we are here to help with a step-by-step guide to understanding the VA claims process.
What Is the Step-By-Step Process for a VA Disability Claim?
The VA disability claims process can be complicated and frustrating if you are unfamiliar with it. QRF Legal Services has years of experience serving veterans in the Lakeland and Tampa area and we are here to help you every step of the way.
Here is a short breakdown of the step-by-step process for a VA disability claim:
1. File Your Claim
Veterans with a physical or mental disability that was caused by their military service may be eligible to file a VA disability claim. When you have completed the necessary paperwork and have the right medical documents, you will submit your disability claim to the VA online or via mail. You will receive notification that your claim was received. If your claim was submitted online, you will receive an instant message or a letter from the VA in 7-14 days if you mailed in your application.
2. Review of Your Claim
Next — your disability claim will be subjected to an initial review by a Veterans Service Representative and members of the Department of Veterans Affairs. These representatives will determine if additional medical information is needed to prove and support your claim.
3. Collect and Review Medical Evidence
The next step of the process may require you to collect and gather additional medical evidence and documentation to support your disability claim. The VA may request additional documentation from your healthcare provider or federal agencies or you may be asked to schedule a Compensation and Pension Exam (C&P) with an approved provider. If the VA has the medical documentation it needs, your claim may be passed on to a Ratings Veteran Service Representative (RSVR) and you will receive a disability rating.
4. Disability Rating and Approval
When your claim has been reviewed, your disability claim file will be sent to a Ratings Veteran Service Representative for additional review and approval. Representatives will review your file and your medical evidence to determine a disability rating and provide your final approval. The representative will create a file that details why your disability claim was approved or not approved.
5. Final Review and Award Claim
After the initial review and disability rating, your file will go to a final review with a Senior Ratings Veteran Service Representative, who will authorize the release of your VA disability compensation based on the information provided by the initial review. You will receive a packet with your VA disability rating and documentation in the mail.
What Do You Need to File a VA Disability Claim?
Your veteran disability claim is an important first step in the process to receive your disability compensation and it means that you need to have the right documentation. Veterans who may not know where to start will need this information and these documents to support their claim.
- Form DD214 and military separation documents
- Military records of your medical injuries, illnesses, and treatment
- Medical documentation and evidence from your military and civilian healthcare providers — scans, X-rays, and test results
- Post-service medical records with information on your current diagnosis and condition
- Additional supporting statements from medical providers, family, friends, and employers
- Relevant documentation of your personal and family incomes
READ MORE: Learn More About How We Can Help with Social Security Disability Benefits
It is important for veterans to understand the VA claims process and this step-by-step guide created by QRF Legal Services will help get you started. Contact QRF Legal Services today for a legal consultation of your case!
