Service-connected disabilities - File Early !
Posted By Doug Nelson at 5:17 AM
So far, We've talked about Post-traumtic Stress Disorder as a service connected disability. Actually, you have the right to file a claim for health problems and injuries incurred in military service, or, if pre-existing, were aggravated by military service. Why file a claim? You may be paid compensation for the degree to which the disability affects your ability to earn a living. If severe enough, you may get Vocational Rehabilitation, a better education deal.
You may file VA Form 21-526e as you leave the service, IF you can be sure that your service medical records will be sent in to the VA Regional Office in your state of residence along with this form.
If you are already out, get VA Form 21-526 from www.VA.gov and start working on it. Keep a copy of Copy 4 of your DD214 to send in with it. Get to a local veterans services rep, or a trusted member of a veterans services organization for help with the particulars of doing this.
What are some examples of disabilities? Injuries, not limited to combat wounds. Some real-life examples include:
A soldier loaded with combat gear jumped from an armored carrier. His boot heel caught on something, twisting his back on the way down.
Many are injured in vehicle crashes in the military. Broken bones, injuries to internal organs, head and neck injuries can all be claimed.
Another real life case - a knee injury in a military-sanctioned sports event. This happened to the guy in the 70's, and now he has developed arthritis in the knee. Actually, injuries in grab-ass games aren't excluded, just be sure it wasn't due to misconduct.
Illnesses that are likely to resurface, such as high blood pressure, or chronic bronchitis should be claimed. If its been a while, you'll need to show medical evidence that the problem is chronic - that it has been hanging around.
Hearing loss, the sooner you claim it the the better. You want the VA to give you an audiology test within a year of your discharge. These claims carry a greater credibility if you were in combat, suffered an IED incident (even if you were not hurt otherwise) were exposed to naval or ground artillery, mortars, or were exposed to high-frequency jet engine noise.
Be able to document the illness or injury with times and places, and the dispensary or hospital that treated you. If you kept any of your own medical records, send copies, or send the originals after you've made your own set of copies. Be sure to tell where and when you got any treatment since military service.
Here's the reason I emphasize making your claim within the year - the date of your claim, and so the date the VA will start paying you compensation, will be the date after you left the military. In some cases, such as hearing loss, and PTSD, the test or treatment that will document the existence of the problem will be the only evidence you have that it existed in the military. Treatment and disagnosis within a year work in your favor. The VA will presume the problem was incurred during your service.
