1.       What is service connected compensation and what are the ways a Veteran can become service connected?

Service connection is a medical condition which was caused by military service.  Once service connection is established, a Veteran may receive free healthcare from VA for the condition and a monetary amount of money based on the percent of service connection.

There are four ways a Veteran may become service connection.  Service connection may be granted on a direct, presumptive, secondary, or the basis of aggravation. Allow me to break it down.

DIRECT: Service connection is granted when the Veteran’s current diagnosis is related to an event, injury, or illness that occurred while on active duty.

PRESUMPTIVE: Service connection may be granted if the Veteran’s current diagnosis is a result of a toxic exposure while serving in a specific area of operation. A Veteran does not necessarily need to have a diagnosis of the claimed condition while on active duty as it may not develop until several years following the release from active duty.  Examples include, Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War, contaminated water from Camp Lejeune, Project Shad, and The PACT Act. (Reference 38 CFR 3.307, 3.309)

SECONDARY: Entitlement to service connection on a secondary basis may be established if a non-service connected diagnosis is related to a service connected diagnosis.  You will see this with common complications of a disease process.  Examples include radiculopathy down both legs as a result of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine; equally a Veteran who is service connected for Type II Diabetes can become service connected for diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, and other common complications secondary to the predominant disability.

AGGRAVATIVE: Let’s say you enter active duty with a pre-existing knee condition and receive a waiver to become fit for full duty.  Now, add in the fact that you were an infantryman causing constant damage to the pre-existing knee condition.  If it can be proven that your knee condition worsened beyond its natural progression as a result of your duties while on active duty, then service connection may be granted on the basis of aggravation.

2.       Is the VA hospital and the VA benefit department the same thing?

Great question! There are three main categories within The Department of Veterans Affairs. (VA). VA is broken down into three parts, Veterans Hospital Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, and The National Cemetery Administration.  DVUF offers FREE expert advice to Veterans and their families helping them to navigate the multiple and often confusing steps within the VA.

3.       What kind of evidence can I submit to support my claim?  

A Veteran can submit a variety of evidence including service treatment records, military personnel records, and current medical evidence to support your claim for compensation. Additionally, VA will request exams, also known as Disability Benefits Questionnaires, (DBQ’s) to establish a diagnosis, evaluate severity of symptoms and or may offer a medical opinion as to the etiology of the claimed condition.  I’ve attached a link to access DBQ’s.  VA has contracts with several companies to complete these examinations, however, you may bring them to your medical provider if they are authorized to complete them.  Be advised, only mental health providers such as psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health physician assistants, and mental health nurse practitioners can complete mental health DBQ’s. 

Other evidence such as personal and buddy statements may be submitted to support a claim; these are usually submitted on VA Form 21-4138, or VA Form 21-0781/0781a.  I’ve attached this link to help you navigate VA forms.   https://www.va.gov/find-forms/

4.       How do I file for service connection and what forms are needed to file a claim for compensation?

The million-dollar question!  DVUF is available to help guide you through this process.  Over time, VA has transitioned to using an electronic claims submission process, however DVUF knows that not all of us are computer friendly.  In that case, a Veteran can call (800)827-1000 to file a claim with a VA representative.  You can also bring the required documents which I’ve listed below to your local VA regional office.  I’ve added a link for you to locate the closest regional office to you. https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/offices.asp

 If you wish to file your claim online, follow these basic instructions.  DVUF is available if you need anything:

a.       Set up a va.gov account

b.      Verify and protect your personal information by establishing a 2 factor authentication via login.gov, id.me, myhealthevet, etc.

c.       Select healthcare and disabilities then file a claim online.

d.      You will be prompted to VA Form 21-526EZ, follow the directions to file a fully developed claim ONLY if you have current diagnoses of the conditions you are claiming and have the capability to upload medical evidence to support your claim. 

e.       It is helpful to have Veterans Service Organization (VSO) to help assist you throughout the claims process.  Having a VSO, is not mandatory to file your claim, however they are helpful to assist where able.  If you elect to utilize services from a VSO, you can select one by uploading VA Form 21-22. Make sure you select an accredited VSO and one that is not going to charge you for their services.  I’ve attached this VA link to ensure you select an accredited VSO. https://www.va.gov/ogc/recognizedvsos.asp

f.        Upload your medical and supporting documentation. 

g.       VA will schedule you an examination or you may submit DBQ’s to support your claim as mentioned above.

h.      Once your claim is submitted and your claims are complete, VA will notify you of a decision on your claim.  VA can expedite the processing of claims if you are terminally ill or if you are experiencing severe financial hardship.  These decisions to expedite claims are made by request on a case by case basis.  Even though DVUF offers exclusive guidance, we are not able to evaluate your claim.