VA disability

[RgrPark]

I got out of the army 3 years ago without claiming anything since I thought I was fine.
Then this year, I started getting spinal pains and had to go get an MRI...
turns out 2 of my discs are compressed and bulging out...

I spent 4 years at a ranger battalion on a machinegun team...was the ammo bearer for over a year...i am trying to figure out the best way to claim disability...do i even need a lawyer? and what % am i looking at? anyone?

 

[waggy]

fill out paperwork.

get denied.

appeal.

get denied again

then you can hire lawyer.

then go to court. (4-5 years later)


but thats normal Disability. not sure how it goes considering you are a vet.

 

[AgentJean]

Originally posted by: waggy
fill out paperwork.

get denied.

appeal.

get denied again

then you can hire lawyer.

then go to court. (4-5 years later)


but thats normal Disability. not sure how it goes considering you are a vet.

My old man filed for disability just 1 time before Social Security approved him.
But he's got a busted knee (had a total knee replacement) a few of the disks in his lower back are shot, he also has buldges in a disk or two in the neck and the other knee is going to need to be replaced soon too, plus he needs surgery on his one foot.

Yeah, he's a total wreck.


To to OP's question. Just contact your local Veteran Service's office. That's what their there for.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: waggy
fill out paperwork.

get denied.

appeal.

get denied again

then you can hire lawyer.

then go to court. (4-5 years later)


but thats normal Disability. not sure how it goes considering you are a vet.

So, so true.



And if you think THAT would be bad, trust me, it could be worse-you could be going through what I have to go through.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: AgentJean

Originally posted by: waggy
fill out paperwork.

get denied.

appeal.

get denied again

then you can hire lawyer.

then go to court. (4-5 years later)


but thats normal Disability. not sure how it goes considering you are a vet.

My old man filed for disability just 1 time before Social Security approved him.
But he's got a busted knee (had a total knee replacement) a few of the disks in his lower back are shot, he also has buldges in a disk or two in the neck and the other knee is going to need to be replaced soon too, plus he needs surgery on his one foot.

Yeah, he's a total wreck.

yeah sometimes it happens fast.

my FIL got messed up pretty bad in vietnam. over the years he had surgery's but didnt do much.

While working he really screwed up his back again.

he filed for SSDI and it took 4 years. pretty much how i said in my first post.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: waggy
fill out paperwork.

get denied.

appeal.

get denied again

then you can hire lawyer.

then go to court. (4-5 years later)


but thats normal Disability. not sure how it goes considering you are a vet.

That pretty much sums it up.

 

[huberm]

The VA is notorious for making it hard for veterans to get the services they need.

I know a few people that have fought for disabililty. They recommend getting the DAV involved with your disability too, which will greatly improve your chances of success.

 

[Preyhunter]

Do you have documented medical history with this problem while on active duty? If not, it may be next to impossible to receive service-connected disability. Not saying it can't be done, but would definitely be easier if you complained of these problems while still in the military and sought medical help for them. Get in contact with the closest VA Outpatient Center or hospital, they typically have offices for the different veteran organizations onsite and they can help you.

Depending on how debilitating the spinal condition is, you're looking at 10-20% if no surgery is performed. Doesn't sound like much, but 20% will qualify you for Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation. That is a big deal. Say you want to be a business executive...that basically requires a college degree. They will pay tuition, books, supplies, fees, equipment, and a monthly stipend depending on your course load in addition to your monthly disability check.

 

[JackRipper]

Originally posted by: Preyhunter
Do you have documented medical history with this problem while on active duty? If not, it may be next to impossible to receive service-connected disability. Not saying it can't be done, but would definitely be easier if you complained of these problems while still in the military and sought medical help for them. Get in contact with the closest VA Outpatient Center or hospital, they typically have offices for the different veteran organizations onsite and they can help you.

Depending on how debilitating the spinal condition is, you're looking at 10-20% if no surgery is performed. Doesn't sound like much, but 20% will qualify you for Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation. That is a big deal. Say you want to be a business executive...that basically requires a college degree. They will pay tuition, books, supplies, fees, equipment, and a monthly stipend depending on your course load in addition to your monthly disability check.

Holy sh1t.... I can afford to go back to med school again...

j/k... i don't think i have the stamina to do it anymore... wow... i didn't know that i need to go to my VA office... last time i went there the people there are so clueless when i ask questions...

JR

 

[BoomerD]

One good source of info is your local vet rep at the state employment office. Every state is different in how they fund that job, so he/she may or may NOT be able to guide you in the right directions, but they are usually the best source of info for a vet...

 

[RgrPark]

thanx guys...looking into DVA right now.

 

[BoomerD]

My son is a disabled vet, and my neighbor, (local vet-rep at EDD) gave him some valuable information on how to manage his VA disability, and how to get the VA to actually do things...sometimes, that by itself is a huge undertaking...

 

[911paramedic]

Go post on THESE forums, link is in the menu. They will be more than happy to give you some good advice.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: 911paramedic
Go post on THESE forums, link is in the menu. They will be more than happy to give you some good advice.

Here's a little tidbit of information. To be considered a veteran, you must have served at least 180 days on active duty. That forum goes by the same rules.

So, if you get injured BEFORE your 180th day, you are f*cked.