Those that serve within the army put themselves in hurt’s method to defend the nation in its time of want, and advantages offered by the Division of Veterans Affairs are in place to return that safety once they want it. Sadly, an growing variety of veterans are discovering their claims being denied.
The VA claims course of is rife with misinformation — a reality acknowledged by VA Secretary Doug Collins. Veterans who hope to reap the benefits of the advantages they’ve rightfully earned by their time within the service should pay shut and cautious consideration to their claims, or danger changing into a part of the greater than one-third of claims which can be denied by the VA yearly.
Many veterans take the strategy of “simply file and see what occurs” as a result of that’s the solely steering the VA system gives, and it not often works. No one teaches veterans what they really have to know to get the VA to approve their declare. It’s a results of a system that isn’t designed to coach the folks it’s purported to serve, nor does it have the capability to take action.
The largest fantasy that veterans consider concerning the VA advantages course of is that the VA will “join the dots.” That doesn’t occur.
The VA’s system is constructed on a authorized commonplace — it requires proof, not assumptions. You may’t simply assume that your service data will converse for themselves; hundreds of veterans get their claims denied, not as a result of they weren’t injured or don’t deserve it, however as a result of they don’t know what the VA must see to course of and approve their declare.
When reviewing claims for advantages, the VA is searching for particular issues. You want credible lay proof — a documented account of what occurred and the way it has affected you — together with a nexus letter from a medical skilled that ties your present situation to service. That’s all that’s required by legislation. You don’t have to have a analysis in your army medical data and even to have reported your damage whilst you have been within the service to win.
That mentioned, many veterans mistakenly consider a nexus letter is a “silver bullet” that ensures their declare shall be permitted. A weak nexus letter with no rationale, no quotation of medical literature, and no connection to the veteran’s precise service historical past is nugatory.
It’s necessary to do not forget that the VA’s raters aren’t naive. They will spot a template letter from a mile away, and in case you are making an attempt to examine all of the bins to get your declare permitted, they’ll see proper by it.
To achieve success, veterans should perceive what makes proof legally adequate and defensible, not simply what checks a field.
Fortunately, there are assets accessible to assist veterans navigate the VA declare course of. It’s a sophisticated, usually intimidating course of, and one mistake can value you dearly. However each veteran deserves correct steering and trustworthy illustration, and that’s what we try to do.
Veterans earned their advantages by giving all the pieces to their mission and repair to the nation. Don’t let a mistake get in the best way of veterans getting what they deserve.
Jordan Anderson is a veteran and the founding father of VA Claims Academy/InsideSources
