Know Your Rights: Applying for Veterans Disability Benefits

Veterans disability benefits are paid by the Veterans Administration (“VA”) and are available to veterans who have suffered a physical injury or mental illness while serving in active military duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training. In order to qualify for veterans disability benefits:

• Your discharge must have been honorable;
• You must have suffered a physical injury or mental illness while serving in active military duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training;
• You must currently be receiving treatment for that physical injury or mental illness.

You can apply for veterans disability benefits, what the VA refers to as service-connected disability compensation and/or pension benefits, by completing VA Form 21-526, Veteran’s Application for Compensation and/or Pension. You should submit your application with the required documents to your state’s VA Regional Office.  To find your VA Regional Office, visit http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/offices.asp.

The VA will review the information in your file and determine your eligibility for benefits. The VA often denies claims for incomplete applications. It is important to work with an experienced veterans law attorney to ensure that your application has been completed correctly and all documents required by the VA are on file. Your attorney will ensure that your military service records, medical records and supporting documents are in your VA file.

If you intend to apply for veterans disability benefits and/or pension, or have already applied for benefits and have been denied, call us immediately. We can help. At Banks Law, our experienced VA attorneys will ensure your application is thoroughly prepared or, in the event your application is denied, we will file an appeal to help you get the benefits to which you are entitled.