Common Conditions for Veterans’ Disability Claims and Proof

In the US, there are more than 3 million military veterans who are suffering from some form of illness, disability, or injury caused by their time served in the military.

For the veterans, these disabilities have become a source of stress and anxiety – inhibiting them from living a meaningful life or seeking employment to support their families.

What is just as unfortunate is knowing that many of the three million veterans do not know how they can make themselves eligible to receive disability benefits or pay.

Considering this, we are going to take a deep dive into who is eligible to receive disability pay and the types of disabilities that make them eligible.

Understanding the Eligibility Factor of Disabled Veterans 

The disability benefits for US veterans are provided for by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The benefits paid out are not tax deductible and are paid monthly to individuals who have been injured or disabled in the line of duty serving their tenure as a serviceman.

In addition, veterans who must contend with and live with worsening injuries or illnesses or symptoms that were caused as a direct result of a preexisting service-related injury are also eligible to receive their benefits if they can provide the VA department with the appropriate evidence.

You would also benefit from knowing that there is a broad spectrum of injuries and illnesses (both physiological and psychological) that are covered by the VA in terms of their disability benefits programs. However, the eligibility requirements for many disabilities also vary.

However, it is also vital to note that to be legally eligible to receive disability pay from the VA, you must meet some important prerequisites.

Important Eligibility Requirements You Must Meet 

• Veterans applying for disability benefits must prove that they have served on active duty. This also includes proving their participation in active and/or inactive duty training.
• The veteran must also apply for and receive a disability rating for their illness or injury by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In addition to these requirements, both of which are mandatory to meet, there are some important statements (one of which must be true) for the veteran applying for disability benefits. These statements are:

• The veteran was either injured or fell ill while serving his tenure in the military and can connect their illness or injury to a service-related incident.
• The veteran had a preexisting injury or illness, which over time worsened due to their service in the armed forces (active duty).
• The veteran was diagnosed with a medical complication or injury after their active-duty service came to an end.

Common Conditions Veterans Can Seek VA Disability Benefits For 

Here is a detailed list of different injury and illness categories that veterans can seek disability benefits from the VA. However, do keep in mind that you will be required to have a complete medical evaluation performed by a VA medical professional to get eligibility approval.

These medical conditions and/or injuries are, but not limited to:

Psychological Illnesses and Disorders

According to research posted by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), it was identified that almost one in four US military veterans suffer from various psychological disorders and worsening mental health conditions immediately after their military service.

The study also showed that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was the chief condition found common in most veterans. Considering this, other mental disorders that make veterans eligible for VA disability benefits include:

• Schizophrenia or similar psychotic illnesses
• Growing anxiety disorder and/or clinical depression
• Mood-related complications such as bipolar disorder
• Cognitive complications or declining mental fortitude
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Dementia
• Neurodevelopmental complications.

And much more.

Physiological Illnesses or Complications 

Compared to non-veteran servicemen, veterans are more susceptible to suffering a variety of musculoskeletal injuries or complications that can lead to mobility issues – all of which can cause serious problems when seeking employment or simply enjoying a high standard of living. These disorders can be issues with the individual’s joints, bones, musculature, and more.

However, there are also minor injuries of similar nature, for which a veteran may not stand eligible. So, you will have to prove to the VA that your musculoskeletal disorder has led to a major dysfunction.

Other physiological disorders that make veterans eligible for VA disability benefits include:

• Worsening spinal injury or degenerative disc disease
• Arthritis or osteoarthritis
• Spinal fracture or disc misalignment
• Loss of limb(s)
• Debilitating fractures – for instance, a broken or shattered femur, tibia, pelvis, etc.
• Degenerative muscle tissue injuries.

And more.

Respiratory Illnesses 

Exposure to hazardous materials (mainly airborne particles) while serving time on active duty – such as deployment to war zones in Afghanistan or the Middle East can also develop mild to serious or worsening respiratory or breathing conditions for veterans. These pollutants can include smoke from fire, hazardous chemical fumes, etc.

Exposure to airborne toxins while on active duty, particularly with veterans who served in Afghanistan and the Middle East, may lead to breathing difficulties and respiratory illnesses that begin during active duty or are diagnosed after returning home. Airborne toxins can include pollution, smoke from fires, and chemicals among other hazards.

Other respiratory disorders that make veterans eligible for VA disability benefits include:

• Chronic breathing disorders such as asthma
• Bronchitis
• Sleep apnea
• Emphysema
• Sarcoidosis

And more.

Auditory or Visual Complications 

Any condition or injury that has resulted in vision or hearing loss for the veteran is considered eligible. Servicemen deployed in active combat zones commonly suffer from complications such as tinnitus among other problems as well as eye injuries or vision impairment.

Other auditory or visual disorders that make veterans eligible for VA disability benefits include:

• Degradation of vision in one or both eyes, blindness
• Speech slur or inability to form proper sentences or to communicate due to any cause
• Complete or partial hearing loss in one or both ears

Do You Need Evidence to Prove Your Illness or Disability to the VA?

There are a variety of evidentiary documents that you can submit to the VA to stand eligible for disability pay. This includes:

• Medical records from the VA or a private or public hospital that provide sound and reasonable evidence that your injury or medical complication formed due to your service-related injury.
• Hospital evaluations and records showing that your existing injury or complication has worsened or a pre-existing medical condition has worsened due to your service-related injury.