After leaving the military, many service members deal with the legendary--even infamous--Veterans Affairs (VA) process. Difficulties with paperwork, delays and disagreements with disability claims can create stress for years, but the culture has grown into a "hurry up and wait" attitude as you wait for a decent decision. If you're dealing with pain, it's hard to stay patient, especially if pain or disability steps directly into your moneymaking potential. Consider a few ways to make the VA process a lot more smooth for you and even more likely to succeed.

Why Is The VA Disability Process So Hard?

The VA disability system deals with a lot of money for veterans per state and on the national level. With budget cuts threatening the way that funds are delivered, how veterans are supported in other ways and the general pool of disability funds, the VA is hardly an organization that will simply grant a disability rating without a thorough review. 

Regardless of budget issues, the VA is dedicated to helping veterans. Strict guidelines mean that you have to prove that your injuries or conditions are related to military service and how much you're currently suffering. Service-connection is a term used to decide how relevant your condition is to VA compensation.

In order to be considered service-connected and eligible for benefits, you need to show documentation of how the condition was caused, how it's connected to the military and your current level of suffering. This means that you either have past medical documents that can be officially confirmed as during your military service or that a reasonable argument can show proof that some new condition is related to the military

The second part is a bit harder to prove. If you didn't complain about much during the military, you don't have any documentation to work with that shows military relation. You could have broken your leg, lost your finger or developed some condition at a civilian job or during your private, civilian life if proof can't show otherwise.

Your claim may have been denied simply because you didn't add enough evidence (or any at all). It could have been that your evidence didn't thoroughly prove the problem, or you could be dealing with a stubborn VA office. In any case, contact a team of personal injury attorneys, like Bangel, Bangel, & Bangel, for assistance.

Are Attorneys Necessary?

Many veterans report success after years--sometimes decades--of trying again with the VA. It's certainly possible to get better at the process and you can receive back pay based on the effective date of your claim, but why wait? 

As you submit new claims, struggle with the system and try to figure out new techniques for your claim, life moves on. You miss opportunities to make investments, buy nice things, support family and friends or do anything that you need to do with the money you've earned. If your condition is bad enough (or becomes worse), you'll never know when your income may stop. Poverty isn't off the table, but with an attorney, you can dodge a lot of the missing pay drama.

A team of personal injury attorneys can create a better argument for you with a team of claim system-skill medical professionals, or even bring your claim to the attention of claims professionals who are more likely to give you a chance. Contact a personal injury attorney to begin discussing your claim.