Types of Claims

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 What's needed to support an original claim:

1. Diagnosis: A formal medical diagnosis of an issue or disability. 
2. Evidence: Evidence from your service time about an injury or incident. 
3. Nexus: A doctor's note linking your current issue to what happened during service. If you had a problem before joining, you must show how the military worsened it. 

If all of this seems like a daunting task, don't worry! The Veterans Contention Advocate can guide you and assist with filing your claim. We're here to simplify the process and ensure you get the support you deserve.

Establish a connection between your service and a current medical issue. Here's what you need to know:

Evidence for Original Disabilities:

• Your health condition began due to an event or injury during your active duty.
• A medical report that links your present issue to that specific in-service event or injury.

Secondary Conditions:

• You have a known service-connected disability and another condition that hasn't been tied to your service yet.
• A doctor's note showing how the recognized service-related disability either led to or exacerbated the new issue.

Aggravated Pre-service Conditions:

• You had a health condition before joining the military, but your service made it worse.
• A medical report demonstrates how active duty exacerbated this condition beyond its typical progression.

To support your claims, here's what can help:

• Military Records: If you haven't provided them, offer documents like DD Form 214s and any medical or personnel records from your time in service. They might provide evidence of the origin or worsening of your problem during your service.

• Post-Service Medical Records: Medical records post-military can show ongoing treatment, its connection to your service, the diagnosis, and its severity. If they're hard to obtain, complete a VA Form 21-4142 for each care facility. The VA will then request these records for you.

• Your Personal Account: Write a statement detailing how military service either caused or exacerbated your condition. Describe a specific event thoroughly using the "five W's": who, what, where, when, and why. Typed statements are preferred.

• Buddy Statements: These are letters from those close to you—relatives, friends, or fellow veterans. It is especially valuable if they can back up your story or attest to the long-term nature of your condition.

• Supporting Documents: Include any photos, reports, articles, or logs from your time in service that might help your claims about the disability or incident.

• Medical Opinions: Obtain detailed notes from health professionals. They should clarify how your service caused or worsened your health condition or how a service-related disability contributed to another health issue. The note should include examination dates, symptoms, and diagnosis.

If all of this seems like a daunting task, don't worry! The Veterans Contention Advocate can guide you and assist with filing your claim. We're here to simplify the process and ensure you get the support you deserve.

Why is medical evidence important?

• Helps us understand and assess your claim, reducing risks to your benefits.
• It may support a higher VA evaluation.
• It might eliminate the need for a VA Compensation & Pension Exam.

What evidence can I provide?

• Medical Records: Share any recent private medical or VA records that show treatment and severity. Can't get them? Complete VA Form 21-4142; the VA will request them for you.
• Personal Statement: Describe how your condition has worsened and affects your daily life and work. It's best to type this.
• Buddy Statements (lay statement): Letters from friends and family that support your claims, especially about how your condition impacts your home and work life.
• Work Records: Performance reviews, evaluations, or notes from current/recent employers can show how the disability affects your job. If you can't get these, fill out VA Form 21-4192, and the VA will seek them out.
• Medical Opinions: A detailed note from a doctor or health expert highlighting the severity of your condition and how it impacts your job. This should include details like examination dates and symptoms.

If all of this seems like a daunting task, don't worry! The Veterans Contention Advocate can guide you and assist with filing your claim. We're here to simplify the process and ensure you get the support you deserve.

 Basic Eligibility: To qualify, a veteran must meet one of these criteria:

• A single service-connected condition rated at 60% or more.
• Multiple service-connected disabilities combined to 70% or higher, with at least one disability rated at 40% or more.

Supporting Evidence: 

1. Medical Records: Include recent private medical or VA records highlighting treatment and severity. 
2. Personal Statement: Write about how your condition has evolved and its current effects on your day-to-day life and job. It's best if this is typed.
3. Buddy Statements (lay statements): Secure written notes from family, friends, and ex-colleagues who can vouch for the progression of your disability and its effects.
4. Employment Documents: Past performance evaluations or statements from recent employers can indicate the extent of your disability at work. 
5. Medical Opinions: Obtain detailed evaluations from health experts that outline the depth of your condition and its work implications. These should detail examination dates, symptoms, and more.
6. Social Security Determinations: If you're receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to a service-linked disability, this can be pivotal. Social Security and VA aim to discern if a disability inhibits work. If you're not yet receiving these, consider applying.

If all of this seems daunting, don't worry! The Veterans Contention Advocate can guide you and assist with filing your claim. We're here to simplify the process and ensure you get the support you deserve.

What is Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)?

DIC is a monthly benefit provided to eligible veterans' survivors. If filed within a year of the veteran's death, the benefit start date corresponds to the month of death.

Who is Eligible?

Surviving spouses, children, or parents can qualify for DIC if the deceased:

1. Was a service member and died during active duty, training, or inactive duty training.
2. Passed away due to a service-connected injury or illness.
3. DidDidn'te from a service-connected cause but was entirely disabled by a service-connected condition: 

• For a decade before passing.
• For five years post-active duty until their death.
• For a year preceding their death, if they were a former prisoner of war who passed after September 30, 1999.

When submitting a claim for a veteran's death benefit, it is essential to provide the necessary evidence. In cases where the veteran's death was not directly linked to a service-related condition or where medical documentation is limited, submitting a form along with any available evidence is required.

The following types of evidence are essential for a successful claim:

1. Death Certificate (long version): This document is vital for the VA's records. In addition, it may specify if a service-related condition contributed to or caused the veteran's death.

2. Medical Records: Include both private and VA records, focusing on treatments and their severity related to service-connected disabilities.

3. Personal Statement: Provide a detailed account of how the service-linked disability may have contributed to or caused the veteran's death. It is recommended to type this statement.

4. Medical Opinions: Secure evaluations from healthcare professionals that indicate how the service-connected condition might have influenced or led to the veteran's death. Make sure they include examination dates, details if the professional treated the veteran, and a comprehensive overview of the diagnosis and symptoms.

If this task seems overwhelming, rest assured that the Veterans Contention Advocate can guide and assist you with filing your claim. Our mission is to simplify the process and ensure you receive the support you deserve.