Claiming veterans disability should be a purely administrative process. But it helps to have legal representation to help navigate the confusing regulations. Calculating veterans disability ratings and using the va disability calculator can be highly confusing, but some sound advice and help can ensure that veterans get the full benefits to which they are entitled.
The problem
The number of veterans who fall through the cracks is alarming. By January 2014, the number of homeless veterans was around 49,933, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.
Another 1.4 million veterans are at risk of homelessness die to poverty, unemployment, lack of support from groups or networks, and substandard housing.
This goes some way to explaining why it’s not an easy matter for veterans to make a disability claim. With proper legal representation, they can get the benefits and care to which they are entitled.
The difficulty of filing a claim
Veterans disability laws can be very confusing. Until 2007, veterans seeking to claim their disability benefits were not allowed legal representation. Under the new laws, however, veterans can seek legal representation to help them negotiate the system.
The extent of disabilities among veterans is far higher than in the general population. More than half suffer from disabilities. In 2014, this figure was 3.8 million. Of these, about a third or 1.1 million had disabilities that were ranked according to the military disability calculator as 70% or higher. Compounding the problem, two-thirds have substance abuse problems.
Understanding the veterans disability calculator
Legal help in dealing with the veterans disability claims system can be very necessary. Veterans disabilities by definition make it harder for them to find or hold jobs. The same conditions make it difficult for them to file their claims correctly, using the veterans disability ratings.
The veterans disability ratings determine the range of basic benefits. Claimants are required to submit evidence of the severity of their disability. Veterans disability ratings are rated from 0% to 100% in increments of 10%.
Disability ratings cannot be added, so two separate disabilities cannot be combined for higher veterans disability ratings.
Veterans disability ratings are meant to make the claims process easier, but it can be highly confusing. Given the difficult conditions in which many veterans find themselves, it can be especially difficult for them to negotiate the maze of regulations. Legal help and representation can help them get the benefits they deserve.