This post describes the VA disability appeals process for decisions issued prior to February 19, 2019. Decisions received after that date are subject to the new VA appeals process.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, commonly known as the VA, offers a wide range of benefits, programs, and services to qualifying veterans and their family members. Unfortunately, filing a request for benefits can be difficult. It requires the submission of ample documentation, including medical records, financial information, discharge papers and more.
When an applicant fails to submit one of these records, does not properly complete an application, or misses an important deadline, his or her request could be denied. In these cases, it is critical to file a Notice of Disagreement with the VA who will reassess the evidence and issue a new decision. If you need help filing an initial application or submitting an appeal with the VA, you should strongly consider retaining a Hobart veterans benefits attorney who has the experience and resources to ensure that your rights and interests are protected.
Veterans who have access to their discharge papers and wage and financial information and can prove that they were not dishonorably discharged and served in the active military, naval, or air service are eligible for VA healthcare benefits. However, veterans who enlisted after the fall of 1980 or who entered active duty after the fall of 1981 will also need to prove that they served at least 24 months or the full period for which they were called. This applies equally to members of the National Guard or Reserve if they were called to active duty by a federal order.
Available services include primary care, as well as specialty care, such as psychiatric assistance, and preventive care, which includes cancer screenings. The VA’s comprehensive medical benefits package includes low-cost prescription medications, medical equipment, and prosthetics, as well as extended care, geriatrics, and home healthcare. Qualifying women also have access to prenatal care, breast and cervical cancer screenings, maternity care coverage, and other gender-specific services. Finally, veterans who served in combat zones, as well as their family members, are granted access to various Vet Centers around the country, which provide free counseling, referral services, and outreach programs.
In an effort to ensure that proper respect is paid to the memory of veterans who served in the military, the VA offers burial benefits to former service members. Burial benefits, which are also available to spouses and dependent children, even if they predecease the veteran, could include burial in a VA national or private cemetery, as well as:
To be eligible for this benefit, a veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
As a VA accredited attorney, James R. Comerford is well-versed in the issues facing veterans and their families when seeking benefits. If you need help filing your own claim or appealing a denial of benefits issued by the VA, please call The Comerford Law Office, LLC at 312-863-8572 today for a free consultation.