Starting the Disability Claims Process
The amount of a veteran’s disability compensation benefit depends on the disability rating issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Information about VA benefits often refers to this rating. But how is it determined?
At The Rep For Vets, VA-accredited claims agents inform disabled veterans about their rights and help them appeal their denial of benefits. Our claims agents answer their questions and provide information about the appeals process. They focus on helping people who served their country and have service-connected disabilities. It shouldn’t be hard for veterans to get the benefits they need and deserve, but the VA is a huge organization, and having a guide can make all the difference.
Criteria in the Three-Part Test
The VA uses a set of criteria to establish basic eligibility for service-connected disability compensation. Known as the three-part test, a service-connected disability is defined as:
- Currently having a medically diagnosed disability
- Suffering an injury, disease or other event while in the service that caused or aggravated the disability
- Demonstrating that the current disability is the result of the injury, disease or event during service
This sounds quite straightforward, but veterans can encounter roadblocks at every turn. Our VA-accredited claims agents can help you get around these roadblocks. If your diagnosis is not for a recognized disability, or if there is no documentation of your service-related injury or illness, our claims agents can help you. If your claim was denied because the link between the service event and your disability isn’t clear to the VA, a claims agent can file an appeal.
Once a veteran has been determined to have a service-connected disability, his or her disability is rated according to VA criteria. Ratings refer to the extent and severity of the disability, and range from 0 percent to 100 percent. The rating determines the amount of the monthly payment the veteran will receive. When the benefit amount is too low because the rating was low, the rating can be appealed. Our VA-accredited claims agents will help veterans pursue an appeal for higher ratings.
Learn More About the Three-Part Test
Some veterans consult attorneys or other professionals for help with disability claims, but your best option is almost certainly a VA-accredited claims agent at The Rep for Vets. Call (888) 573-7838 from anywhere in the United States for a free initial consultation, or simply use the online contact form. Although headquartered in Tampa, Florida, claims agents serve clients throughout the United States.
