Here at the firm, we salute those who have performed military service to our country.
One of the firm’s managing partners, attorney Julie Luhrsen, is a veteran. She was on active duty for eight years in the United States Army.
Julie attained the rank of Captain during her active-duty service and completed her post-active-duty reserve service having attained the rank of Major.
In honor of her service, and to all those who served our country as a member of the United States Armed Forces, I’d like to discuss a topic I have not posted about previously: Veterans Benefits. More specifically, Service-Connected Disability Benefits.
What qualifies for veterans benefits
Service-Connected Disability Compensation, or VA disability compensation, provides monthly benefits to veterans in recognition of the effects of disabilities, diseases, or injuries, incurred or aggravated, during active military service.
One of the most important points in claims for service-connected disability compensation is the connection between the injury or disability to service in the armed forces. Service-connected claims can be straightforward, such as injury to a shoulder on active duty which turns into arthritis. Claims can also be quite complex such as cancer caused by exposure to toxic substances.
The compensation program offers monthly payments the amounts of which are graduated according to the degree of the veteran’s disability on a scale from 10% to 100%.
Compensation may also be paid for disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities presumed to be related to circumstances of military service.
How disability ratings are assigned
Service qualifications typically require the veteran to have served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training. If the service qualification is met, the veteran will receive a disability rating for the veteran’s service-connected condition.
Disability ratings are based on the severity of the veteran’s service-connected condition.
The ratings represent how much the disability decreases the veteran’s overall health and ability to function, and will determine compensation.
A veteran with a 0% disability rating will not receive compensation under the service-connected disability compensation program. However, they may be eligible for VA benefits under other programs.
If you believe you may be eligible for service-related disability compensation, contact an attorney with VA benefits as part of their practice.