CHECKLIST FOR VA COMPENSATION
Service to one’s nation comes in varied ways. With the most common being representing the national team in a sporting event or competition, willing to sacrifice your life at the forefront of war or better still acting as first responders for the Covid-19 pandemic.
The work and sacrifices these heroes especially the veterans put in can’t be quantified. However and at the end of the day, they need something to hold on to come retirement or better still when their stint in the force ends. Be it naturally, voluntarily, or caused by an injury.
VA Compensation entails some of the benefits other than retirement benefits provided to veterans for injury or diseases caused or worsened during their time in the military service. These compensations are best applied for as soon as possible. Notably while still on duty, rather than waiting for retirement to do when the severity of your ailment gets worse.
Conditions for the Eligibility of a VA Compensation
As a veteran, some of the conditions you should be on the lookout for when it comes to the eligibility of your VA Compensation include.
- Chronic (long-lasting) back pain resulting in a current diagnosed back disability
- Breathing problems resulting from a current lung condition or lung disease
- Severe hearing loss
- Scar tissue
- Loss of range of motion (problems moving your body)
- Ulcers
- Cancers caused by contact with toxic chemicals or other dangers
Other Ailments Includes
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Anxiety and Anxiety-Related Disorders
With that in mind, enclosed below is the checklist for VA compensations for Military Personnel.
- The first phase of this compensation process is filing for the Veteran’s Application for Compensation and/or Pension, using the VA Form 21-526. The form is obtained by downloading it from the website of the Department of Veterans Affairs (www.va.gov/vaforms). When that is done, the document should then be submitted online at (www.ebenefits.va.gov) or visit the nearest VA Regional Office for submission.
- Secondly, veterans must provide separation or discharge paperwork (DD214). This document records the full details of
- Periods of service
- Copies of medical records,
- Evidence of the claimed disability, as well as
- Evidence showing the disability or better still, whether the disease was caused by active service.
- In addition, the veterans are obliged to tender a copy(s) of marriage their marriage certificates, records of divorce, records for birth or adoption for dependent children if applicable as well as a record(s) nursing home.
- Finally, active members approaching discharge or retirement and tendering their application for benefits through the Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) process must confirm they submit a to a medical separation examination. One that is recognized and charged with submitting all related paperwork to the VA.