Tbird

How Do I File A VA Disability Claim from VA.gov Find out if you’re eligible for VA disability compensation. Learn about eligibility Be sure to fill out your claim completely. Gather any evidence (supporting documents) you’ll submit yourself when you file your VA disability claim. We encourage you to send in all your supporting documents and your claim. This will help us process your claim quickly. Learn about fully developed claims. Find out if you must turn in any additional forms with your claim. Learn about additional forms you may need to file. To learn more about filing a disability claim, you can play our disability claims video. Go to our disability claims video on YouTube. What evidence do I need to support my claim? You can support your VA disability claim by providing these documents: VA medical records and hospital records. These could relate to your claimed illnesses or injuries, or they could show that your disability rating has gotten worse. Private medical records and hospital reports. These could relate to your claimed illnesses or injuries, or they could show that your disability has gotten worse. Supporting statements. These could be from family members, friends, clergy members, law enforcement personnel, or people you served with. These statements could tell us more about your claimed condition and how and when it happened or how it got worse. Depending on the type of claim you file, you may gather supporting documents yourself or ask for our help to gather evidence. Learn more about the evidence we’ll need for your claim We’ll also review your discharge papers (DD214 or other separation documents) and service treatment records. Do I have to submit evidence with my claim? No. You don’t have to submit any evidence to support your claim. However, we may need to schedule a claim exam to learn more about your condition. Learn more about VA claim exams (C&P exams) You should also know that you have up to a year from the date we receive your claim to turn in any evidence. Start your application and need time to gather more supporting documents. You can save your application and come back later to finish it. We’ll recognize the date you started your application as your date of claim if you complete it within 365 days. How do I file a compensation claim? You can file a claim online now. File for disability compensation online You can also file for disability compensation in any of these 4 ways. By mail File your claim by mail using an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ). Get VA Form 21-526EZ to download Print the form, fill it out, and send it to this address: Department of Veterans Affairs Claims Intake Center PO Box 4444 Janesville, WI 53547-4444 In-person Bring your application to a VA regional office near you. Find a VA regional office near you. By fax If you’re in the U.S., fax your application to 844-531-7818. If you’re outside the U.S., fax your application to 248-524-4260. With the help of a trained professional You can work with a trained professional called an accredited representative to get help filing a claim for disability compensation. Get help from an accredited representative. Should I submit an intent to file form? Suppose you plan to file for disability compensation using a paper form. In that case, you should submit an intent to file form first. This can give you the time to gather your evidence while avoiding a later potential start date (also called an effective date). When you notify us of your intent to file, you may be able to get retroactive payments (compensation that starts at a point in the past). Note: If you file for disability compensation online, you don’t need to notify us of your intent to file. Your effective date is set automatically when you start filling out the form online—before you submit it. Find out how to submit an intent to file form. What happens after I file my VA disability claim? Find out what happens after you file. You don’t need to do anything while waiting unless we send you a letter asking for more information. If we schedule exams for you, be sure not to miss them. Check your VA claim status. How long does it take the VA to make a decision? 159.2 days Average number of days to complete disability-related claims in March 2024 View full record

VA History From VA's website The United States has a deep history and legacy of having the most comprehensive system of assistance for Veterans of any nation in the world, with roots that can be traced back to 1636, when the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony were at war with the Pequot Indians. The Pilgrims passed a law that stated that the colony would support disabled soldiers. Later, the Continental Congress of 1776 encouraged enlistments during the Revolutionary War, providing pensions to disabled soldiers. In the Republic's early days, individual states and communities provided veterans with direct medical and hospital care. In 1811, the federal government authorized the first domiciliary and medical facility for Veterans. Also, in the 19th century, the nation’s Veterans assistance program was expanded to include benefits and pensions for Veterans and their widows and dependents. Following the Civil War, many state Veterans homes were established. Since domiciliary care was available at all state Veterans homes, incidental medical and hospital treatment was provided for all injuries and diseases, regardless of service origin. Indigent and disabled Veterans of the Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, and Mexican Border period, as well as the discharged regular members of the Armed Forces, received care at these homes. As the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, Congress established a new system of Veterans benefits, including programs for disability compensation, insurance for service personnel and Veterans, and vocational rehabilitation for the disabled. By the 1920s, three different federal agencies administered the various benefits: the Veterans Bureau, the Bureau of Pensions of the Interior Department, and the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. The first consolidation of federal Veterans programs occurred on August 9, 1921, when Congress combined all World War I Veterans programs to create the Veterans Bureau. Public Health Service Veterans’ hospitals were transferred to the bureau, and an ambitious hospital construction program for World War I Veterans commenced. World War I was the first fully mechanized war, and as a result, soldiers who were exposed to mustard gas and other chemicals and fumes required specialized care after the war. Tuberculosis and neuro-psychiatric hospitals opened to accommodate Veterans with respiratory or mental health problems. Most existing VA hospitals and medical centers began as National Home, Public Health Service, or Veterans Bureau hospitals. In 1924, Veterans benefits were liberalized to cover disabilities that were not service-related. In 1928, admission to the National Homes was extended to women, National Guard, and militia Veterans. The second consolidation of federal Veterans programs took place July 21, 1930, when President Herbert Hoover signed Executive Order 5398 and elevated the Veterans Bureau to a federal administration—creating the Veterans Administration—to “consolidate and coordinate Government activities affecting war veterans.” At that time, the National Homes and Pension Bureau joined the VA. The three component agencies became bureaus within the Veterans Administration. Brig. Gen. Frank T. Hines, who had directed the Veterans Bureau for seven years, was named the first Administrator of Veterans Affairs, a job he held until 1945. Dr. Charles Griffith, VA’s second Medical Director, came from the Public Health Service and Veterans Bureau. Both he and Hines were the longest-serving executives in VA’s history. Following World War II, there was a vast increase in the Veteran population, and Congress enacted large numbers of new benefits for war Veterans—the most significant of which was the World War II GI Bill, signed into law on June 22, 1944. It is said the GI Bill impacted the American way of life more than any law since the Homestead Act of 1862. The GI Bill placed the VA second in funding and personnel priorities for the War and Navy Departments. Modernizing the VA for a new generation of Veterans was crucial, and replacing the “Old Guard” World War I leadership became necessary. GI Bill History The VA Home Loan Guaranty Program is the only provision of the original GI Bill that is still in force. Between the end of World War II and 1966, one-fifth of all single-family residences built were financed by the GI Bill for either World War II or Korean War Veterans. From 1944 through December 1993, VA guaranteed 13.9 million home loans valued at more than $433.1 billion. Eligible loan guaranty users can now negotiate loan terms, including the interest rate, which helps VA loan participants compete better in the housing market. The loan guaranty program no longer has a terminating date and can be used by any Veteran who served after Sept. 16, 1940, as well as men and women on active duty, surviving spouses, and reservists. To assist the Veteran between discharge and reemployment, the 1944 GI Bill also provided unemployment benefits of $20 per week, for a maximum of 52 weeks. It was a lesser amount than the unemployment benefits available to non-veterans. This assistance avoided a repetition of the World War I demobilization when unemployed Veterans were reduced to relying on charities for food and shelter. Critics dubbed the benefit the “52-20 Club” and predicted most Veterans would avoid jobs for the 52 weeks that the checks were available. However, only a portion of veterans were paid the maximum amount available. Less than one-fifth of the potential benefits were claimed, and only one out of 19 Veterans exhausted the full 52 weeks of checks. In 1945, General Omar Bradley took the reins at VA and steered its transformation into a modern organization. In 1946, Public Law 293 established the Department of Medicine and Surgery within the VA and numerous other programs like the VA Voluntary Service. The law enabled the VA to recruit and retain top medical personnel by modifying the civil service system. When Bradley left in 1948, there were 125 VA hospitals. President Ronald Reagan elevated The VA to a cabinet-level executive department in October 1988. The change took effect on March 15, 1989, and administrative changes occurred at all levels. President George H. W. Bush hailed the creation of the new Department, saying, “There is only one place for the Veterans of America, in the Cabinet Room, at the table with the President of the United States of America.” The Veterans Administration was then renamed the Department of Veterans Affairs and continued to be known as VA. VA’s Department of Medicine and Surgery, established in 1946, was re-designated as the Veterans Health Services and Research Administration at that time. However, on May 7, 1991, the name was changed to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Veterans Health Administration (VHA) History VHA evolved from the first federal soldiers’ facility established for Civil War Veterans of the Union Army. On March 3, 1865—a month before the Civil War ended and the day before his second inauguration—President Abraham Lincoln signed a law to establish a national soldiers and sailors asylum. Renamed the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in 1873, it was the first-ever government institution created specifically for honorably discharged volunteer soldiers. The first national home opened on November 1, 1866, near Augusta, Maine. The national homes were often called “soldiers’ homes” or “military homes,” and only soldiers who fought for the Union Army—including U.S. Colored Troops—were eligible for admittance. These sprawling campuses became the template for succeeding generations of federal Veterans’ hospitals. By 1929, the federal system of national homes had grown to 11 institutions that spanned the country and accepted Veterans of all American wars. However, it was World War I that brought about the establishment of the second-largest system of Veterans’ hospitals. In 1918, Congress tasked two Treasury agencies – the Bureau of War Risk Insurance and Public Health Service – with operating hospitals specifically for returning World War I Veterans. They leased hundreds of private hospitals and hotels for the rush of returning injured war veterans and began a program to build new hospitals. Today’s VHA – the largest of the three administrations that comprise the VA – continues to meet Veterans’ changing medical, surgical, and quality-of-life needs. New programs provide treatment for traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress, suicide prevention, women Veterans, homeless Veterans, and more. VA has opened outpatient clinics, established telemedicine, and provided other services to accommodate a diverse veteran population. It continues to cultivate ongoing medical research and innovation to improve the lives of America’s patriots. VHA operates one of the largest healthcare systems in the world and provides training for most of America’s medical, nursing, and allied health professionals. Roughly 60 percent of all medical residents obtain a portion of their training at VA hospitals, and VA medical research programs benefit society at large. The VA healthcare system has grown from 54 hospitals in 1930 to 1,600 healthcare facilities today, including 144 VA Medical Centers and 1,232 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity. Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA) History The origins of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) date back to the country’s earliest days. During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress passed the first national pension laws for wounded or injured soldiers, leaving it to the states to distribute relief. After 1789, the federal government assumed responsibility for the pension system. In the early 1800s, a small office of three in the War Department handled the clerical work relating to claims and the few thousand Veterans on the pension rolls. As the number of beneficiaries increased over the decades, so did the size of the workforce. By the mid-1830s, the Bureau of Pensions, as the office came to be called, employed a staff of 18 dispensing $2-3 million in payments annually to some 40,000 Veterans, widows, and dependent children. Clerks in the Washington, D.C. office reported to the Commissioner of Pensions, a presidentially appointed position created by Congress in 1833. Another Congressional Act in 1849 transferred the Pension Bureau to the newly created Department of the Interior, which would remain until 1930. The pension system grew dramatically after the Civil War. For the first time, the federal government regarded diseases contracted during military service as grounds for claiming disability. From 1863 to 1888, the Pension Bureau received on average 40,000 applications annually from Union Veterans or their survivors. An 1890 law expanded eligibility further by granting pensions to any Union Veteran too infirm to work. Pension numbers more than tripled within a decade, from 303,000 in 1883 to 966,000 in 1893. Spending on pensions also soared and routinely consumed more than 30 percent of the federal budget in the 1890s. (These payments only ceased when the last Civil War beneficiary, the daughter of a Union soldier, died in 2020 at age 90). By this time, the bureau had grown so large that Congress funded the constructing a new building to house the 2,000 men and women working in the capital. The massive Italian Renaissance Revival-style structure occupied a full city block and would serve as the Pension Bureau’s headquarters from 1885 to 1926. In addition to the Washington, D.C. workforce, the bureau employed another 400 persons at 18 pension agencies in cities across the country. During World War I, the federal government introduced two new types of Veterans benefits: insurance and vocational training for the disabled. These programs were first handled by separate organizations until Congress in 1921 centralized their management in the Veterans Bureau. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Pensions continued administering the pension system for Veterans of previous wars. In 1930, Congress decided to consolidate all Veterans benefits and services in a single federal agency, the Veterans Administration. The Veterans Administration faced unprecedented challenges after World War II. Millions of returning Service members sought to collect on the benefits they were eligible for, including the education and loan assistance offered by the 1944 GI Bill. The volume of business was staggering. In the first five months following the war, VA processed 1.5 million disability claims alone. By the time the provisions of the WWII GI Bill had expired, the agency had helped more than 12 million Veterans advance their education or secure low-interest home loans. To increase efficiency and better manage its workload, the VA carried out an internal reorganization in 1953 that led to establishing the Department of Veterans Benefits, the direct forerunner of the Veterans Benefits Administration. The department was responsible for overseeing all types of benefits except for insurance. In 1989, the restructuring that accompanied the Department of Veterans Affairs creation united insurance with the other major benefit programs managed by VBA. From its humble beginnings in the Revolutionary era, the Veterans Benefits Administration has grown into a dynamic organization employing more than 24,000 people in its Washington, D.C. headquarters office, and at 56 regional offices. VBA now distributes almost $135 billion in benefits and services annually to nearly 6 million Veterans and their family members. VBA also continues to evolve. In the last decade, it has made great strides in digitizing records, automating processes, and implementing other modernization initiatives to improve delivery of benefits to the Veteran community. The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) is one of three federal agencies responsible for managing national cemeteries in the United States. Its mission includes the oversight of most national cemeteries and the provision of grave markers for qualified Veterans. The origin of all national cemeteries begins with the Civil War (1861-1865) and President Abraham Lincoln. In the war’s second year, on July 17, 1862, Congress enacted legislation that authorized Lincoln “to purchase cemetery grounds…to be used as a national cemetery for the soldiers who shall die in the service of the country.” After the war, the National Cemetery Act of February 22, 1867, was the first law to finance and develop national cemeteries through the acquisition of land, buildings, walls, and permanent upright marble headstones. When the Union dead reburial program concluded in 1871, the Army reported that 300,000 remains were reinterred in 73 national cemeteries or in soldiers’ lots located within private cemeteries. This was the first time a country gathered its dead in Veterans’ cemeteries created to honor their service. While burials in the first national cemeteries were only for Veterans who died in the Civil War, burial criteria have expanded dramatically in the areas of family eligibility and military service over the years. The 1930s saw major changes associated with national cemeteries. Established in 1930, VA assumed responsibility for the National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, whose burial grounds would become national cemeteries. Flat grave markers were introduced. Seven new cemeteries were built between 1934 and 1939 in major cities based on Veteran demographics. The Army transferred 14 Civil War national cemeteries to what is now the National Park Service. The National Cemeteries Act of 1973 (PL 93-43) was enacted on June 18, 1973, transferring stewardship of the 112-year-old National Cemetery System from the Army to VA: 82 national cemeteries and 33 soldiers lots. The Army retained Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers’ & Sailor’s Home National Cemetery. Concurrently, VA re-designated its 21 burial grounds to create a network of 103 national cemeteries. The act also transferred responsibility for providing government-issued Veteran headstones/markers to the VA. VA began opening new national cemeteries in the 1970s. In 1978, the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program was established to assist states, territories and federally recognized tribal governments provide gravesites where VA cemeteries are not located. On November 11, 1998, the Veterans Programs Enhancement Act of 1998 renamed the National Cemetery System as the National Cemetery Administration, and the NCA principal was elevated from Director to Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs. NCA opened 17 new cemeteries between 1997 and 2010 and has continued introducing memorial products to honor Veterans’ service. VA provides a headstone/marker/medallion, U.S. flag, and Presidential Memorial Certificate. About 15 percent of all eligible servicemembers are interred in a VA national cemetery; about 5 percent opt for a State, Territorial or Tribal Veterans Cemetery. The NCA system comprises more than 150 national cemeteries and soldiers’ lots, and it is the only federal agency developing new Veteran cemeteries. These memorial landscapes convey meaningful stories about the diversity of American history – patriotic and partisan service, racial and gender equality, religious beliefs, and ranks from private to fleet admiral. VA cemeteries contain more than 400 Medal of Honor recipients and approximately 1,370 memorial monuments. Nearly 4.9 million individuals, including Veterans of every conflict from the Revolutionary War to the Global War on Terror, are honored by burial in VA national cemeteries. View full record

A collection of stories describing the history of America’s most beloved customs and national symbols. From the Pledge of Allegiance to folding the flag... As the nation braced for the Civil War’s final throes, thousands of spectators gathered on a muddy Pennsylvania Avenue near the U.S. Capitol to hear President Lincoln’s second inaugural address. It was March 4, 1865, a time of great uneasiness. The war would end in just over one month, and the president would be assassinated. President Lincoln framed his speech on the moral and religious implications of the war, rhetorically questioning how a just God could unleash such a terrible war upon the nation. “If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses in the providence of God, … and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offenses came.” With its deep philosophical insights, critics have hailed the speech as one of Lincoln’s best. As the speech progressed, President Lincoln turned from the divisive bitterness at the war’s roots to the unifying task of reconciliation and reconstruction. The president delivered his prescription for the nation’s recovery in the speech’s final paragraph. With the words, “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan,” President Lincoln affirmed the government’s obligation to care for those injured during the war and to provide for the families of those who perished on the battlefield. Today, a pair of metal plaques bearing those words flank the entrance to the Washington, D.C. headquarters of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA is the federal agency responsible for serving the needs of veterans by providing health care, disability compensation and rehabilitation, education assistance, home loans, burial in a national cemetery, and other benefits and services. Lincoln’s immortal words became the VA motto in 1959, when the plaques were installed, and can be traced to Sumner G. Whittier, administrator of what was then called the Veterans Administration. A document on VA medical history prepared for the Congressional Committee on Veterans Affairs titled, “To care for him who shall have borne the battle,” details how the words became VA’s motto. “He (Whittier) worked no employee longer or harder than himself to make his personal credo the mission of the agency. What was that credo? Simply the words of Abraham Lincoln, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan. To indicate the mission of his agency’s employees, Mr. Whittier had plaques installed on either side of the main entrance.” President Lincoln’s words have stood the test of time and stand today as a solemn reminder of the VA’s commitment to care for those injured in our nation’s defense and the families of those killed in its service. Click on the image below to download the complete PDF celebrating-americas-freedoms.pdf View full record

Why is LHI Doing My VA C and P Exam? The vast majority of veterans who file a claim for veterans disability benefits will need to attend a VA Compensation and Pension Exam. The C&P examination can be done at the VA or sometimes by a contractor like LHI. The VA examiner will perform your exam based on VA’s criteria currently they follow the DBQ’s Disability Benefits Questionnaires. You file a claim for disability benefits and you get the letter for your Compensation and Pension Exam and it says it’s being done by LHI. It is nothing to worry about. LHI is a contractor VA uses for exams. They have been working with the VA for over eight years as of 2022. The Compensation and Pension Exam you receive from LHI is the same as the one you would receive at the VA. They use the DBQ’s Disability Benefits Questionnaires. Compensation and Exams are anxiety-producing for many veterans, seeing a strange set of letters like LHI can make the anxiety worse. No need for excessive anxiety. Here is a post from our Community discussing this topic, I hope you find it helpful. LHI? Has anyone had any experiences previously? “I was contacted and sent to LHI for a rating increase on PTSD. I was on edge just because going to an unknown contractor bothered me a bit. But as I read on here they listed the doctors' names and credentials which I used to investigate the doctor and liked what I found. I showed up to the appointment and expected the appointment to last at least half as long as the paperwork called for which was about an hour and a half. The appointment was at 0800 hours, and I was back out the door and in my car by 0825. Now to the nitty gritty. It was not bad at all. The doctor had reviewed all of my stressors before my coming in and we did not speak of them at all not even in passing. What I would have given to know that he had no interest the previous three days would’ve kept me from crawling the walls and being even more anxious than normal. Primarily, it was spent doing a down-and-dirty DBQ where he asked about changes and I presented my notebook and letters from family and the one friend I have left. Before I knew it we were at the end and had in my opinion not really delved in deep as I had expected or experienced in my initial PTSD assessment. I knew it would be somewhat shorter but it was short enough that I was thrown off and even told him “It is in my best interest to go into as much detail as I can with my notes” and I was quickly told that it was unnecessary. This alarmed me and the whole time I wondered if this wasn’t some Hatchet job and now was convinced that we had a problem. But he reassured me that if I needed to go ahead and talk about the symptoms more then by all means go for it. I know that I must’ve had the strangest look on my face maybe even the slightest bit of a homicidal maniac….All I kept thinking was something was wrong….wrong wrong and more wrong. BOHICA BOHICA oh no here it comes. It's been barely 20 mins how could this be so quick? We are going up 100% from 70%. It is quite a bump and change in status….. He told me that for what it was worth he was approving or submitting the paper for the increase. He also said he was not sure why I did not have it from the first C&P, but we all know why don’t we? Now I figure he could have lied and might have but I don’t see the upside really…not that it's not possible….either way… Now that means nothing and I won't believe that or anything else until I see it when I check my blue button records or a brown envelope shows up in my mailbox. But what if….Could I finally be done fighting them and maybe get my 100%? I mean, one little NOD and three years later another C&P could I be so lucky not to have to play whack a mole all the way up to DC? Maybe just maybe…. When I was leaving I ran into the guy who was waiting alongside me for an 8:00 appointment and he said ” This is a new one on me” I agreed, and he was thereafter submitted a NEW PTSD claim down the FDC (fully developed claim) route 3 weeks ago…..Three weeks ago he submitted his stuff and was there the same day as me doing a C&P maybe things are picking up speed finally…maybe” Read Full Thread. And then success … “Strangely it must have gone well as I was checking vets and ebennies and found my appeal had been granted for an increase ptsd rating and award of TDIU as well…” Read the full thread: LHI? Has anyone had any experiences previously? View full record

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced changes to the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) related to digestive conditions. The updates include new or modified rating criteria for 55 medical conditions, which take into account modern medical knowledge and advancements in treating specific disabilities. These changes aim to provide Veterans with more accurate compensation for their disabilities. Three significant changes that will impact Veterans include the new evaluations for celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and hemorrhoids. Starting May 19, Veterans with celiac disease will be evaluated under specific diagnostic codes and eligible for an evaluation ranging from zero to 80 percent. Previously, they were evaluated using rating criteria that ranged from zero to 30 percent. The rating criteria for IBS have also been adjusted, and Veterans may be entitled to 10, 20, or 30 percent evaluations based on the frequency of symptoms. Additionally, mild or moderate hemorrhoids will now qualify for the 10 percent evaluation. The VA has updated the rating schedule for several body systems since September 2017, including dental and oral conditions, endocrine system, gynecological conditions, organs of special sense (eye conditions), skin, hematologic and lymphatic systems, infectious diseases, immune disorders, and nutritional deficiencies, musculoskeletal system, and muscle injuries, genitourinary and cardiovascular systems. It is important to note that there will be no change to any Veteran's current rating based solely on these updates. However, if a Veteran currently receives compensation for a service-connected condition, they can apply for increased compensation. A reduction in evaluation will only occur if there is an improvement in a disability sufficient to warrant a reduction under the former criteria. Claims related to these body systems that were pending on May 19 will be considered under both the old and new rating criteria, and whichever criteria is more favorable to the Veteran will be applied. For more information, Veterans can visit the Federal Register webpage for a complete list of the conditions impacted by this schedule change and VA benefits or apply for compensation. View full record

Check this page https://www.militaryonesource.mil/military-basics/new-to-the-military/military-id-and-cac-cards-for-military-community/#:~:text=Military dependents who are registered,under the age of 10. From the above page. The family member must first be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System, or DEERS, to receive their first military ID card. Enroll in DEERS by completing a DD Form 1172-2. The service member is the sponsor and will sign and submit the form. Submit the form through the ID Card Office Online or in person at a RAPIDS site. Use this RAPIDS Site Locator to find a location near you to make an appointment. Go to a RAPIDS site with your completed DD Form 1172-2 and two forms of identification, including a state or federal government photo ID. Dependents will need a Social Security number or tax ID number if they are U.S. citizens or U.S. persons. Newly married military spouses should bring their marriage certificate. Children under 18 will need proof of relationship to their military sponsor, like a birth certificate, to get their Uniformed Services ID Card. You may require additional documentation depending on your eligibility or circumstances. For more details on how to apply for your first military ID, read this pre-arrival checklist.

Social Security Summary of Administrative Review Process Source: SSA.gov GN 03101.001 Effective Dates: 09/19/2023 TN 20 (09-23) A. Administrative Review Process Defined A claimant or appointed representative who disagrees with an initial determination or decision may request further review under the administrative review process, also known as the appeal process. The claimant or appointed representative must request a review within 60 days of the decision, or the right to further review will be lost. B. Steps In The Administrative Review Process 1. Reconsideration Reconsideration is the first step in the administrative review process for individuals who disagree with the initial determination unless a hearing is the first level of appeal. We provide the opportunity for an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing, as the first step in the administrative review process, for revised initial determinations on non-medical issues and determinations involving a request for waiver of an adjustment or recovery of an overpayment. For information on reopenings and appeal rights, see GN 04001.090. Reconsideration for Title II consists of a case review and disability hearing. The method used depends on the issue involved. It is a case review for nonmedical issues. For medical issues, it is a case review for initial claims and a disability hearing, which is a face-to-face reconsideration for all medical cessation cases. For more information on reconsideration, see GN 03102.000; for more information involving medical cessation and adverse reopening determinations, see DI 12026.001. 2. Hearing before an ALJ After we make a reconsideration determination, the next step of the appeal is a hearing before an ALJ. See GN 03103.000, Hearings. 3. Appeals Council (AC) review If the claimant or appointed representative disagrees with the ALJ’s decision or the dismissal of a hearing request, they may ask the AC to review the action. The AC may dismiss or deny the request for review, or the AC may grant the request and either issue a decision or remand the case to an ALJ. The AC may also review an ALJ’s decision (within 60 days of the hearing decision or dismissal) on its own motion. The AC has final review authority for SSA. See GN 03104.000, Appeals Council Review. C. Alternative Appeals Process 1. Expedited appeals process (EAP) The claimant or appointed representative may request an EAP only after appealing through the reconsideration step. The claimant or representative can use the EAP in cases where they do not dispute SSA's version of the facts in the claim. Rather, they may challenge the law's constitutionality, underlying the determination. See GN 03107.000, Expedited Appeals Process. NOTE: SSA and all parties to the determination must agree to use EAP. 2. Federal court review The AC review completes the administrative review process. If the claimant or appointed representative is still dissatisfied, they may request a judicial review by filing a civil action in a federal district court. D. Considering Multiple Issues At Different Steps Of Appeal A case can have different issues at different appeal steps. 1. Disposition of the ALJ’s decision When the ALJ issues a decision and notifies the claimant or their appointed representative, the case goes to the program center (PC) to effectuate the ALJ’s decision. The PC then sends a notice on those issues not addressed by the ALJ. This notice provides the claimant or representative with reconsideration, which is the next level of appeal. The ALJ's notice provides the claimant or representative with the AC’s review, which is the next step of the appeal. 2. New issue before the ALJ The ALJ may consider a new issue at the hearing, even though it arose after the hearing request and not considered in the initial or reconsidered determination. The ALJ notifies all parties to the hearing about the new issue. E. How We Conduct The Administrative Review Process Administrative reviews are informal and non-adversarial. At each step of the appeals process, the claimant can present any helpful information and ask SSA to look at the case again. The AC may notify the claimant and other parties of the issues for review. SSA considers all information supplied by the claimant and information already in SSA's files. The claimant may present information personally or be represented by an attorney or another qualified person. F. Definitions Of Terms Used In Administrative Review Process 1. Administrative finality Administrative finality refers to a determination or decision being final and binding when rendered unless it is timely appealed or later reopened and revised. 2. Decision A decision is the finding issued by an ALJ or the AC after the claimant's hearing or AC review. 3. Merits determination or decision When used in the context of appeals, merits determination or decision refers to a decision with further administrative and judicial review. See GN 03101.120C, Procedure for New Application in place of Appeal. 4. Res judicata Res judicata is a rule in civil law and administrative policy. Res judicata protects SSA from repeatedly considering the same claim (a claim already issued a determination). For more information on res judicata, see GN 03101.160. Also, see GN 03101.120, Appeals – FO Interview with Dissatisfied Claimant. 5. Vacate To vacate means to set aside the previous action. For example, an ALJ or the AC may vacate a dismissal of a request for review. The AC may also vacate a dismissal on its own motion. See GN 03101.120C, Procedures for New Application in place of Appeal. G. References GN 03101.010 Time Limit for Filing Administrative Appeals GN 03102.000 Reconsideration (Title II and Entitlement Under Title XVIII) GN 03103.000 Hearings (Title II and Entitlement Under Title XVIII) GN 03104.000 Appeals Council Review (Title II and Entitlement Under Title XVIII) GN 03107.000 Expedited Appeals Process (EAP) (Title II) DI 12005.000 Reconsiderations – Initial Claims DI 12010.000 Hearings Level Review – Initial Claims DI 12026.000 Reconsideration – Disability Hearing for a Medical Cessation/Adverse Medical Reopening Determination – Title II and Title XVI View full record

The Law of Veterans Benefits 2008 - 2010 This document aims to identify the most significant decisions in veterans' law between 2008-2010. ‘The two-year period addressed in this article has been a busy time for the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (“Veterans Court” or “Court”) 2 as well as in veterans’ law generally. A new Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (“Department” or VA) is under a new administration. Congress has been active in passing important legislation and its oversight role. The Veterans Court celebrated ‘the twentieth anniversary of its first convening with a wonderful ceremony in October 2009. And not to be outdone, for only the third time, the Supreme Court of the United States (Supreme Court) decided a case originating in the Veterans Court.” Michael P. Allen1 INTRODUCTION The two-year period addressed in this article has been a busy time for the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (“Veterans Court” or “Court”)2 as well as in veterans’ law generally. There is a new Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (“Department” or VA) in a new administration.3 Congress has been active in the area both in passing important legislation4 and in engaging in its oversight role.5 The Veterans Court celebrated the twentieth anniversary of its first convening with a wonderful ceremony in October 2009. And not to be outdone, for only the third time, the Supreme Court of the United States (Supreme Court) decided a case originating in the Veterans Court.6 As anyone practicing in the area of veterans’ law knows all too well, it is impossible to discuss everything of importance that has occurred in the period from 2008 through 2010. One reason, of course, is that “importance” may very well be in the eye of the beholder. More significantly, the reality is that both the Veterans Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit) have remained very busy places. In 2008, the Veterans Court received 4,128 new appeals and decided a total of 4,446 cases.7 In 2009, the Veterans Court received 4,725 new appeals and decided a total of 4,379 cases.8 In fiscal year 2008, the Federal Circuit received 170 veterans’ law cases (plus 3 direct regulatory challenges) and adjudicated a total of 107 cases by way of merits panels.9 In fiscal year 2009, the Federal Circuit received 156 appeals in veterans’ law cases (plus 1 direct regulatory challenge) and decided 95 cases by merits panels.10 My goal here is to identify the most significant decisions in veterans’ law over the past two years. Recognizing the impossibility of addressing every decision rendered by the Veterans Court and the Federal Circuit during this period, I was able to capture what most practitioners would agree are the major matters on which these two courts have opined. In this regard, I read and reviewed every precedential decision of the Veterans Court from February 1, 2008 through April 30, 2010 and all Federal Circuit decisions from this period (both precedential and non-precedential) in the area of veterans’ law. Finally, I reviewed decisions from the Supreme Court having applicability in the veterans’ law area.11 Based on my review of these sources, I grouped the significant developments over the past two years into eleven categories: issues concerning (1) appellate timing (both within the Department and to the Veterans Court) as well as related jurisdictional issues; (2) what constitutes a “claim” under relevant law; (3) the Department’s duties of notice to claimants;12 (4) the Department’s duties to assist claimants; (5) medical examinations and evidence; (6) ratings decisions; (7) clear and unmistakable error along with matters concerning the duty to sympathetically read veterans’ pleadings; (8) attorneys’ fees; (9) claimants’ due process rights; (10) the general structure of the system for the award and review of veterans’ benefits; and (11) certain miscellaneous, but independently significant, matters. In Part I below, I address each of these categories in turn.13 After addressing the specific areas in which there have been significant developments over the past two years, I turn in Part II to distilling the common themes from the various substantive areas I addressed in Part I14 and highlighting some areas in which I suspect there will be development over the next two years.15 Read the complete document here View full record

Here are some of the top posts for Diabetes Service-Connected. According to the VBA Annual Report Fiscal Year 2022. Diabetes is the third most claimed disability body system. See the image below: The most prevalent SC disabilities of all compensation recipients Posts to get you started. Secondary diabetes laylay posted a question in VA Disability Claims Research diabetes secondary to service connected breast cancer treatment - any knowledge of this? September 16, 2023 1 reply Diabetes type II caused by medications Carl the Engineer posted a question in VA Disability Claims Research ...In the spring I was diagnosed with Diabetes type II. It is under control, however I take medication (pills) two times a day. I believe if connected, in its current state, it would rate 20%. I found documentation from civilian publications and from the the VA itself stating that both of... October 18, 2022 11 replies Expressed or Inferred Diabetes Claim from AO, Nehmer class JJM posted a question in VA Disability Claims Research ... diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, etc with an effective date of 12/20/2017. The VA conceded on 3/25/2020 an effective date of 8/2/2001 for the CAD and prostate cancer, but denied an earlier effective date for diabetes and neuropathy. The VA has conceded a first diagnosis date for... March 10, 2021 11 replies Read More Here View full record

VA disability compensation in the US dates back to the Civil War. During the War, legislation was passed to provide disability compensation to Union soldiers injured due to their military service. The history of VA disability compensation in the United States dates back to the Civil War. During the Civil War, Congress enacted legislation to provide disability compensation to Union soldiers who were injured during their military service. This legislation marked the beginning of a long history of providing disability compensation to veterans in the United States. In 1888, Congress passed the Dependent and Disability Pension Act, which provided pensions to disabled veterans and their dependents. This act marked the beginning of a comprehensive system of disability compensation for veterans in the United States. The modern system of VA disability compensation in the United States was established after World War I. In 1924, Congress passed the World War Adjusted Compensation Act, which provided disability compensation to veterans of World War I based on the extent of their disabilities. In 1930, Congress passed the Veterans Administration Act, which created the Veterans Administration (now known as the Department of Veterans Affairs). The act also established a comprehensive system of disability compensation for veterans, including a schedule of benefits based on the severity of disabilities. Since then, the VA disability compensation system has evolved to include a wide range of benefits, including compensation for disabilities that are not directly related to military service, such as disabilities resulting from exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. The VA disability compensation system also provides benefits for disabilities that are service-connected, meaning that the disability was caused or made worse by military service. In conclusion, the history of VA disability compensation in the United States is a long and evolving one, dating back to the Civil War and reflecting a commitment to providing support to disabled veterans and their families. Read a bit more below: A Long Road: The History of U.S. Veterans Disability Compensation The United States has a long history of recognizing the sacrifices of veterans by providing financial assistance for service-related disabilities. This system, however, has evolved significantly over time, reflecting changing societal views and the nature of warfare itself. Early Efforts: Colonial Roots and Revolutionary War The concept of veterans' benefits dates back to the earliest days of the American colonies. In 1636, the Plymouth Colony offered support to disabled veterans of the Pequot War, demonstrating a developing recognition of the need to care for those injured in service. The Continental Congress, during the Revolutionary War, took a more formal approach in 1776 by promising pensions to officers and soldiers who became disabled while fighting for independence. Land grants were also offered, further acknowledging the debt owed to those who bore the physical consequences of war. The Pension System and the Civil War Following the War of 1812, the federal government established a formal veteran pension system. The 1818 Service Pension Law granted fixed pensions to veterans of the Revolutionary War who were in need. This system expanded significantly after the Civil War, incorporating the idea that disabilities acquired during service, not just combat injuries, could qualify for compensation. However, the sheer number of veterans and the bureaucratic nature of the Pension Bureau led to a surge in applications and accusations of fraud. By the late 19th century, pension costs consumed a substantial portion of the federal budget. 20th Century: Modernization and Expansion World War I marked a turning point in veterans' disability compensation. Recognizing the scale of the conflict and the potential for long-term disabilities, Congress established a new system in 1917. This included programs for disability compensation, insurance, and vocational rehabilitation. However, the post-war period saw the administration of these benefits fragmented across three agencies, leading to confusion and inefficiency. The first significant consolidation came in 1921 with the creation of the Veterans Bureau, unifying programs for World War I veterans. This move streamlined administration and laid the groundwork for further advancements. The 20th century also witnessed a broadening of eligibility criteria. Previously, disabilities had to be demonstrably connected to combat service. However, the understanding of mental health conditions like shell shock, later known as PTSD, led to their inclusion in the compensation system. World War II again underscored the need for a robust system. In 1944, The Servicemen's Readjustment Act, or the GI Bill, provided comprehensive benefits, including disability compensation. The system continued to evolve throughout the Cold War and the Vietnam War, with a focus on improving the application process. The 21st Century and Beyond The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq presented new challenges. Veterans returning with injuries like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often face difficulties proving service connection for their disabilities. The VA has made significant strides in recent years to address these issues, expanding access to mental health care and streamlining the claims process. Challenges and Looking Ahead Despite advancements, challenges remain. The backlog of claims continues to be a source of frustration for veterans, and ensuring adequate funding for these programs is an ongoing concern. Additionally, the nature of modern warfare, with an increased reliance on technology and Special Operations Forces, presents new questions about disability compensation. As the United States continues to engage in military operations around the world, the need for a robust and responsive system of veterans' disability compensation remains paramount. By acknowledging the long-term impact of service and adapting to the changing needs of veterans, the nation can fulfill its commitment to those who have served. View full record

VBA Annual Benefits Report FY 2022 Download the Full Report Here veterans-bnefits-administration-annual-report-fiscal-year-2022.pdf View full record

The PACT Act and your VA benefits. The PACT Act is a law that aims to expand VA health care and benefits for veterans who have been exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other harmful substances. This law helps the VA to provide several generations of veterans and their survivors with the care and benefits they have earned and rightly deserve. As of March 5, 2024, the VA will be expanding VA health care to millions of veterans years earlier than what was initially projected by the PACT Act. If you need further assistance, call 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711). Additionally, if you are experiencing any disabilities related to the PACT Act, you can file a claim for PACT Act-related disability compensation or apply for VA health care now. Below is from VA.gov on types of exposure and presumptive conditions. Types of Exposure Agent Orange If you served in the Republic of Vietnam or in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) during the Vietnam Era—or in certain related jobs—you may have had contact with Agent Orange, an herbicide used to clear plants and trees during the war. Learn about compensation based on Agent Orange exposure Asbestos If you worked in certain military jobs, you may have had contact with asbestos (toxic fibers once used in many buildings and products). Learn about compensation based on asbestos exposure Birth defects like spina bifida If you served in the Republic of Vietnam, in Thailand, or in or near the DMZ during the Vietnam Era—and your child has spina bifida or certain other birth defects—your child may be eligible for disability benefits. Learn about compensation based on birth defects like spina bifida Burn pits and other specific environmental hazards If you served in Iraq, Afghanistan, or certain other areas, you may have had contact with toxic chemicals in the air, water, or soil. Learn about compensation based on burn pits and other specific environmental hazards. Contact with mustard gas or lewisite. If you served at the German bombing of Bari, Italy, in World War II or worked in certain other jobs, you may have had contact with mustard gas. Learn about compensation based on mustard gas or lewisite exposure Contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune If you served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River between August 1953 and December 1987, you may be at risk of certain illnesses believed to be caused by contaminants found in the drinking water during that time. Learn about compensation based on contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. Gulf War Illnesses in Southwest Asia If you served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, you may be at risk of certain illnesses or other conditions linked to this region. Learn about compensation based on Gulf War illnesses in Southwest Asia Gulf War Illnesses in Afghanistan If you served in Afghanistan, you may be at risk of certain illnesses or other conditions linked to this region. Learn about compensation based on Gulf War illnesses in Afghanistan Project 112/SHAD If you were part of warfare testing for Project 112 or Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD) from 1962 to 1974, you may be at risk of illnesses believed to be caused by chemical testing. Learn about compensation based on Project 112/SHAD Radiation exposure If you served in the post-WWII occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, were imprisoned in Japan, worked with or near nuclear weapons testing, or served at a gaseous diffusion plant or in certain other jobs, you may be at risk of illnesses believed to be caused by radiation. Learn about compensation based on radiation exposure View full record

Hill and Ponton: The 2024 Guide to 10% VA Disability Benefits Hill and Ponton have a very interesting post on 10% VA Disability. According to the Veterans Benefits Administration FY 2021 Report, 10% is the most common service-connected percentage awarded. See the image below, and then read H&P’s post. Compensation for a 10% VA Disability Rating Dependent benefits at the 10% VA Disability Rating Prime benefits of a 10% VA Disability Rating Social Security Considerations with a 10% VA Disability Rating The path to Extraschedular TDIU for 10% rated veterans How to increase your VA Disability Rating from 10% Read Full Article According to VA: Here are the Top 10 most popular Veteran resources. Veterans and Gold Star Families get free lifetime passes to national parks, wildlife refuges, and other public lands. On Veterans Day 2022, the U.S. National Park Service unveiled a lifetime pass providing free entrance to national parks for Veterans and their families. The pass gives them free access to about 2,000 public locations spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands. Veteran discounts are available year-round. This is a comprehensive list of Veteran and military discounts that are good all year and are updated based on additional awareness. Record pay increase for Veterans receiving VA compensation benefits VA announced compensation payment rate increases based on the latest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Beginning on Jan. 1, 2023, Veterans and beneficiaries who receive VA compensation benefits began seeing an 8.7% increase in their monthly compensation benefits—the largest increase in over 30 years. VALife insurance program is coming in January 2023 for veterans with service connection. In January 2023, VA launched a new life insurance program called Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife). The program provides guaranteed acceptance of whole life insurance coverage to Veterans 80 and under with any level of service-connected disability. Benefits and resources available to Veterans of OIF, Southwest Asia theater of operations VA announced that Veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Southwest Asia, and other locations may be entitled to compensation for medical conditions presumed to be related to exposure to fine particulate matter. For more information on new presumptive conditions, visit the Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Exposures – Public Health page. Health application aims to transform Veteran heart health VHA Innovation Ecosystem, in collaboration with Evidation, is encouraging Veterans to enroll in Heart Health. This free application-based program helps educate Veterans about their heart health and chronic conditions using their smartphones and wearable devices. Veterans can track relevant health data, including activity, mood, symptom, and weight data. View full record