Veterans Disability Benefits and Social Security

VA Claims in Conjunction With Social Security Disability Benefits

Posted by Berry Law Firm on April 28, 2017 in Veterans Benefits

Empty wheelchair belonging to a veteran with PTSD

If you are unable to work because of a physical or mental impairment, you may qualify for Social Security Disability (SDD) benefits. If your condition stems from injuries or events relating to military service, you may also be entitled to veterans disability benefits.

The Berry Law Firm aggressively pursues veteran benefits claims throughout the United States. If you are a veteran who is receiving Social Security Disability, our experienced lawyers can help. Contact us to arrange a free consultation about your VA claim(s).

The VA and SSD

If you have qualified for Social Security Disability, you already have a compensable injury. Our role is to establish the service connection and adapt the applicable medical evidence from your SSD case to your VA case. We assist clients and fight for them at every stage of the VA claims process.

You can receive both SSD benefits and VA compensation at the same time. However, the two federal programs are completely independent of each other, and they use completely different criteria. Social Security Disability, for example, is a yes-or-no determination — you are either approved for full benefits or none, and compensation is based on your past earnings. Veterans disability compensates individuals by degree of impairment based on a disability rating.

Thus, you could be out of the workforce and disabled under the Social Security Administration’s definition, yet the VA might rate your impairment anywhere from 10 percent to 100 percent. We represent veterans in appeals of denied claims and appeals of unfavorable disability ratings.

Not yet receiving Social Security Disability? Military veterans are entitled to expedited processing of claims for SSD benefits if they became disabled during active military service on or after Oct. 1, 2001.

Are You Eligible?

For aggressive representation in the specialized field of veterans disability law, arrange a free consultation. The Berry Law Firm handles VA claims and appeals nationwide on a contingency fee basis.

Berry Law Firm

Established in 1965 by Vietnam War veteran and attorney John Stevens Berry Sr., Berry Law Firm is a team of veterans dedicated to defending, safeguarding, and fighting to protect the rights of veterans. Over the decades, thousands of veterans from across the country and all branches of the military have trusted our firm with their cases and, more importantly, their futures.