How to Obtain a Higher Disability Percentage: A Guide and Benefits for Veterans

How to Obtain a Higher Disability Percentage: A Guide and Benefits for Veterans

Introduction:

At Warrior Allegiance, we understand that the process of obtaining a higher disability percentage is crucial for many veterans seeking fair compensation for injuries and conditions acquired during their service. This article explains in detail how veterans can increase their disability percentage and how our team can assist at every step of the way.

Why is a Higher Disability Percentage Important?

A higher disability percentage not only more accurately reflects the severity of service-related injuries, but it also determines the amount of financial benefits and assistance a veteran can receive. These benefits can include more comprehensive medical care, greater compensation, and access to additional assistance programs.

Steps to Apply for an Increase in Disability Percentage:

Complete Medical Evaluation: Before initiating any procedure to increase the disability percentage, it is vital that veterans undergo a complete medical evaluation. This evaluation should not only document the already recognized conditions but should also identify and document any progression or worsening of these conditions. Additionally, it is an opportunity to discover new ailments that might have arisen or not been diagnosed previously.

• Importance of Comprehensive Diagnosis: During the medical evaluation, every aspect of the veteran’s health should be examined by qualified professionals who understand the implications of service-related conditions. This includes physical tests, psychological evaluations, and, in some cases, specialized studies such as MRI or neurocognitive studies.
• Documentation of Progression: The evaluation must detail how the conditions have evolved since the last disability certification. This point is crucial because the increase in the disability percentage often depends on demonstrating how a condition has additionally impacted the veteran’s quality of life.

Review of Current Classification: Once the medical evaluation is completed, the next step is to review the veteran’s current disability classification. This process involves a detailed analysis of previous ratings to identify potential areas for improvement or errors in the initial assessment.

• Identification of Underestimated Areas: It is common for certain conditions to not be adequately assessed in terms of how they affect the veteran’s functional capacity. A re-examination can reveal the need for greater compensation due to a deeper understanding of the disability.
• Updating Information: The disability rating must reflect the veteran’s current state. Changes in assessment policies or new medical understandings can also justify a review of the existing disability classification.

Collection of Additional Documentation: The meticulous compilation of additional documentation is critical. This stage must be approached with a detailed and strategic focus to gather all necessary evidence that supports the case for an increase in disability.

• Personal Testimonies and Evidence: Include testimonies from service peers, family, and friends who can corroborate how the conditions affect the veteran on a daily basis.
• Expert Reports: Reports from specialists who can testify about the severity of the conditions and their impact on functionality can be decisive in reviewing the case.

Submission of the Application: Finally, the effective submission of the application culminates all the previous effort. This step must be executed with precision to avoid delays or rejections due to technical or administrative issues.

• Organized Documentation: The application must include all necessary forms, medical evidence, testimonies, and any other supporting documentation, organized in a way that facilitates review by VA authorities.
• Use of Appropriate Channels: Depending on the jurisdiction and the specifics of the case, the application must be submitted through channels that ensure its efficient and correct processing. This could include electronic submission through specific VA systems or physical submission at designated offices.

How Warrior Allegiance Can Help:

• Specialized Advice: Our experts offer personalized advice and support in preparing and submitting your application. This includes helping to identify key areas that may justify an increase and ensuring that all forms and documents are duly completed.
• Legal Representation: If required, we provide legal representation to handle appeals or disputes related to the increase application.
• Ongoing Support: Beyond the initial application, we offer continuous follow-up and support throughout the review process, including preparation for any additional medical assessments or interviews required by the VA.

Benefits of a Higher Disability Percentage:

• Better Health Benefits: A higher percentage can qualify veterans for specialized medical care and treatments that would not be available with a lower percentage.
• Increased Compensation: An increase in the disability percentage generally results in an increase in monthly economic benefits, providing better financial support.
• Access to Exclusive Programs: Some assistance and support programs are available only to veterans with certain levels of disability.

Conclusion:

At Warrior Allegiance, we are committed to supporting our veterans at every step towards obtaining the compensation they deserve. We understand the challenges associated with the disability claims process and are here to ensure that every veteran receives the support, representation, and respect they need to navigate this process successfully. If you believe your disability percentage does not adequately reflect your conditions, do not hesitate to contact us to explore how we can help you.