How to Prove a Service Connected Disability
A service-connected disability affects every facet of your life. Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs denies countless claims each year. This is why it’s vital that you hire one of our accredited VA attorneys as soon as possible.
Continue reading to learn how to get the compensation you deserve. We’ll also go over the different types of claims that may apply to your situation.
Direct Service Connection
A direct service connection is one of the easiest to prove. As the name suggests, this means your disability has a direct link to your military service. For example, a veteran may have an amputated leg after stepping on a land mine during their service.
In this case, the amputated leg has a direct connection to the veteran’s time spent in the military. This would make them eligible for VA disability benefits.
Presumed Service Connection
The VA presumes a link between certain conditions and groups of veterans. It all depends on your condition, as well as when and where you served.
You may have a presumed service connection if you were:
- Exposed to Agent Orange
- Exposed to radiation
- A prisoner of war
- A Gulf War veteran
For example, the VA presumes that exposure to . You may be eligible for benefits if you served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975.
The U.S. used Agent Orange to destroy crops and forest cover in Vietnam and Korea. Unfortunately, Agent Orange also caused irreversible illnesses, cancer, and permanent genetic damage.
Learn more: Get VA benefits for exposure to Agent Orange >>
Pre-Existing Condition Aggravated by Military Service
Did you have a pre-existing condition before military service? It’s not uncommon for certain medical conditions to get worse while serving in the military. We can help you prove that your pre-existing condition worsened due to your time in the service.
Don’t assume you’re not eligible for benefits if you don’t have a direct service connection. Your entrance medical exam should show that you had a pre-existing condition. Medical records after your military service can prove that the condition worsened.
You may not qualify for if you have a condition that would have worsened no matter what.
Secondary Service Connection
It’s not uncommon for a to cause another medical condition. For example, veterans diagnosed with service-connected diabetes can later develop heart disease. If your secondary illness would never have happened if not for the first service-connected disability, you may be eligible for benefits.
Service Connection from Injury Caused by Treatment in the VA Health Care System
Were you injured while being treated in the VA health care system? If so, you may be eligible for compensation. Call our local attorneys today.
Call the VA Disability Group Today!
Aren’t sure if military service caused or aggravated your condition? Hire one of our VA disability lawyers in Kalamazoo, MI. We can help you gather the evidence you need to prove that your claim is valid. Call the VA Disability Group today for your free case evaluation at (844) VET-LAWS.
[This blog has been updated.]
