What to Expect With Your Veteran's Disability Claim
The first thing you need to know about applying for veterans' disability benefits is that the process may take some time to complete. Currently, the VA has a backlog of more than 500,000 pending claims. In practical terms, this means that right now — you can expect to wait up to nine months or more before a determination is issued. If you are denied benefits and must file an appeal, the process may take an additional one to two years and sometimes longer.
At Bosley, McKown & Bratch, we understand just how long and frustrating a wait like that can seem when you need help now. The good news is that we have the resources to help and are ready to start providing that help to you today. And although we cannot promise you a certain result within any certain time frame we can promise you that our attorneys will exercise the utmost care in preparing your claim so that the process does not take any longer than it needs to. We find that by assisting the VA in gathering evidence and providing medical opinions, we can frequently speed up the decision by cutting months from the decision-making process.
To speak with an experienced lawyer about filing a veterans' disability claim or appealing a denial of benefits — call or contact our firm for a free consultation.
After You Complete the Initial Application ...
Once you apply for veterans' disability benefits, the VA will send you a letter explaining what other information or forms they will need before granting your benefits. They VA may take on much of this information-gathering responsibility itself, but may also ask you to complete additional forms, sign medical releases, or undergo a medical examination by one of their own doctors.
Our advice is that you do everything they ask you to do in that letter as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the sooner you will get your decision.
Once the VA has all of the forms, medical records and other evidence it needs, the file will be reviewed and a ruling issued. If benefits are granted, the letter should also state the monthly payment amount and the effective date — with payments usually beginning soon thereafter.
If you are denied benefits, feel that your disability rating is too low or that the effective date is wrong, you have the right to appeal. This may involve further administrative proceedings within the VA itself, a review by the Board of Veterans' Appeals, and appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) and the federal courts.
For further information, please see our Do I Need a Lawyer? page.
If you have any questions whatsoever, do not hesitate to call on our firm for answers or experience with veterans' disability claims. We help disabled veterans nationwide. To reach us — call 1-866-974-0705 (toll free throughout the U.S.) or contact us online. The consultation is free. We do not get paid unless we win.
