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How Do I Apply For VA Benefits?

How Do I Apply For VA Benefits?

As a military Veteran, you deserve respect and gratitude for your unselfish service on behalf of our country. If you were injured or became ill because of your service, you also deserve benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs to help you treat your condition and meet your financial obligations. 

Depending on your unique circumstances, you may be entitled to various benefits. 

When considering how to apply for VA benefits that suit your needs, you may be wondering:

  • How to apply for VA medical benefits?
  • How to apply for VA home care benefits?
  • How to apply for VA prescription drug benefits?
  • How to apply for VA disability benefits?

Below, we’ll discuss how you can seek VA benefits. If you would prefer to work with a legal professional, you can also contact a law firm with a solid reputation for helping Veterans receive the benefits they deserve at any time during the process. 

There are Many Ways to Apply for Veteran Benefits. Some are More Effective than Others.

When you are ready to apply for VA benefits, you can follow any of the following procedures.

Go to a VA Regional Office in Person

One option to apply for VA benefits is physically visiting your local VA regional office. You can find the nearest VA office on the VA’s regional offices website. Once there, you can complete an application in person. 

Although the application may seem straightforward, many Veterans still have questions about how to apply for veteran benefits. The form can be complicated, so you can ask for assistance if you have trouble. 

One drawback to using this method is the long waiting lines you’ll probably encounter at the VA. Another challenge can be finding time to visit the VA office during the week, as many VA offices are only open during weekday business hours.

Apply for VA Benefits Online

A second option to apply for VA benefits is to access the VA website by logging onto www.ebenefits.va.gov.

You can apply online anytime from home. However, a human being won’t help you complete the process or answer questions about the application.

Many working Veterans prefer this method because it gives them the opportunity to file a claim when it is most convenient, and they don’t have to miss work to seek benefits.

Ask an Organization to Help You

You can also turn to your County Veterans’ Service Officer (CVSO) or a service organization such as the American Legion or the DAV for assistance. These groups can usually provide help applying for benefits, and many offer their services free of charge. You may need to make an appointment, and they may only work during normal business hours.

What Happens After You Submit Your Application For VA Benefits?

Once your application for disability benefits is filed, the VA will review it along with any evidence you provide to determine if you qualify for Veteran benefits. The VA will also produce a rating decision, which grants or denies the benefits you sought in your application. 

The rating decision will also specify the percentage of disability your condition qualifies for. Disability ratings range from zero percent—you have a service-related condition but do not qualify for benefits—up to 100 percent disabled. 

If you disagree with the VA’s determination, you have the right to appeal that rating decision. This is often the stage when attorneys get involved in the VA claims process. For more information about the disability rating system, read this article explaining how the appeal system works.

To Apply for VA Benefits, You Must Submit Evidence

The VA benefit application process can be lengthy. To expedite the process, Veterans should gather all relevant medical documents and other evidence of a disability to support their application. This information should be submitted along with the application.

In most instances, producing sufficient relevant information with your claim application will reduce the chances that the VA will deny your claim. Also, depending on the disability rating you receive, you may not need to appeal the VA’s decision.

Potential relevant evidence that could be submitted includes:

  • Service records confirming the dates of your service
  • Service treatment records if you were injured or became ill during your service
  • Medical evidence (either from a private doctor or VA physician)
  • Discharge papers

Remember that layperson statements about the cause of your disability can also be submitted as evidence to support your application. This evidence can be in the form of buddy statements from friends or acquaintances who served with you or statements from family members who can explain how your disability affects your everyday life.

In 2010, the VA introduced the Fully Developed Claim (FDC) program, allowing Veterans to expedite their application process. The FDC program allows applicants to submit their medical records at the start of the process, bypassing the VA’s effort to collect their records from each medical provider and other sources (which can take months). 

Also, if you suffered military sexual trauma, have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, or are a former prisoner of war, your benefits claim has priority in the VA claims process.

Your claim may not receive the decision you think you deserve. More often than not, disabled Veterans receive incorrect disability ratings and inadequate benefit awards. In that case, appeal your VA benefit decision. Learn more about appealing your VA benefit denial or how to increase your disability rating by speaking with a dedicated Veteran benefits law firm.

Veterans Serving Veterans

When you need to know how to apply for VA benefits, appeal a benefit denial, or increase your disability rating, you need a team of legal professionals with vast experience dealing with the VA on behalf of Veterans. At Berry Law, we are Veterans fighting for Veterans’ rights every day.

If you wonder whether you are receiving the Veterans’ disability compensation you are entitled to receive by law, reach out to learn more. Or, if you need assistance appealing VA Rating Decisions for mental health conditions or physical disabilities caused by your service, please contact Berry Law to speak with our dedicated team.

Contact us online or call  (888) 682-0751  to talk to a member of our team. Together, we can determine how we can help you with your VA benefits application or appeal.

John S. Berry, , Attorney for Veterans Disability
John S. Berry, , Veterans Disability Lawyer
Berry Law

The attorneys at Berry Law are dedicated to helping injured Veterans. With extensive experience working with VA disability claims, Berry Law can help you with your disability appeals.

This material is for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship between the Firm and the reader, and does not constitute legal advice. Legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and the contents of this blog are not a substitute for legal counsel.

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