Crystal Lake Veterans Benefits Lawyer

Crystal Lake Veterans Benefits Attorney

Unfortunately, even valid claims are denied on a regular basis, often as a result of a mistake on the original petition, so if you were injured while serving in the military, it is important to speak with an experienced Crystal Lake veterans benefits lawyer who can walk you through the application process.

Federal Benefits

The federal government provides a tax-free benefit to veterans who sustained disabilities during active military service. The amount that a veteran is able to receive will depend on the degree of his or her disability, which is rated on a scale of ten to 100 percent. Fortunately, injured veterans can also receive disability benefits for:

• Illnesses or injuries that were aggravated during service;
• Injuries that are considered secondary to disabilities that occurred in service; and
• Disabilities presumed to be related to military service, even if they did not manifest until after release.

These benefits ensure that injured veterans can pay for medical treatment, job training, rehabilitation, and also compensate them for loss of working time.

Illinois Disability Benefits

Federal law only allows members of the military who were injured while on active duty to collect benefits. Illinois law, however, provides benefits to a wider range of injured veterans, including those who sustained injuries while on:

• Active duty;
• Active duty for training; or
• Inactive duty training.

In fact, veterans who were disabled from VA health care can also receive compensation for their losses. However, in order to be eligible to receive disability benefits, the injured veteran:

• Must have a service-related disability; and
• Must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

Disability Pensions

Disabled Illinois veterans who meet specific qualifications may be able to collect a disability pension. To be eligible a veteran must:

• Have been discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions;
• Have served at least 90 days of active duty with at least one day during a period of war;
• Have a family income that is below the yearly limit; and
• Either be permanently or totally disabled or 65 years of age or older.

Veterans who meet these requirements will be eligible to receive a monthly pension to supplement their income.

Aid and Attendance

Finally, injured veterans who are residents of a nursing home or who need regular nursing assistance from another person could qualify for the aid and attendance benefit, which is paid in addition to a monthly pension. To be eligible for this benefit, a veteran must:

• Require the aid of another person to perform personal functions and daily activities, such as feeding, dressing, bathing, or adjusting prosthetic devices; or
• Have a disability that requires him or her to remain in bed except during treatment; or
• Be a patient in a nursing home because of a mental or physical incapacity; or
• Be blind or have a corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less in both eyes, or concentric contraction to five degrees or less.

Those who satisfy this criteria can receive benefits to cover the cost of nursing home bills, in addition to their disability pension.