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Often, Veterans transition to civilian life with lasting effects such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), TBI, depression, or other physical and mental ailments. In honor of the service provided by our military, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides disability benefits to eligible Veterans with these disabilities or injuries.
Unfortunately, the VA is known for not always accepting disability benefit applications, making the process feel frustrating and tedious at times. While every situation is unique, there is a general idea of how long you can expect to wait for the VA to process your disability application.
An application requires proof of your disability, evidence that the disability is related to your service, and complete application details. Evidence to prove your disability may include medical reports (such as a doctor-completed Disability Benefits Questionnaire) and service treatment records.
Having a VA disability attorney throughout the process of completing your application may significantly increase the likelihood that your application will be accepted. Attorneys experienced in these applications can guide you in collecting ample and effective evidence to build your case.
Within 6-8 months of submitting your application (on average), you can expect to hear the VA’s decision on granting or denying your claim. Unfortunately, the VA does not always give favorable results on the first attempt, which is why the Appeals process exists.
After waiting up to 8 months for an answer, receiving an application denial can be extremely disappointing. However, you can still make a claim for your benefits through an appeals process. One of the three appeals approaches can be used within one year of receiving your claim denial.
This lane takes an average of 4 to 6 months. Veterans will appeal a VA denial and have their application reviewed by a senior-level VA adjudicator. If choosing this step, it is important to know that no new evidence can be added to your initial application .
This lane takes an average of 6 to 12 months. In this lane, Veterans have the opportunity to request a reevaluation of their disability claim using new and relevant evidence.
Your case will be reviewed by a judge within 4 years when choosing this appeal lane. If choosing this lane, you will need to further pick between one of three options:
Having an attorney who understands the complexities of each appeal lane will help you make the best choice to increase the likelihood of ultimately receiving disability benefits. While one may take longer than the other, it may be worth it if it gives you the best chance of acceptance.
The Jan Dils team strongly believes in honoring the Veterans who have courageously protected our country. If you or a loved one is experiencing physical or mental conditions as a result of active military service, you may be entitled to compensation through the VA disability benefits.
Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the VA will accept your claim for disability benefits and the process can become drawn out and frustrating. At minimum, having a VA disability benefits application reviewed and accepted will take several months. However, the fairly common complications within the complex application process could slow the process down over multiple years. As the largest Veterans’ law firm in the U.S., Jan Dils’ attorneys are ready to help you and increase your odds of being approved for the compensation you deserve. Call now for a free consultation – no matter where you live in the country.
To Schedule an Appointment, Call Us Toll Free at 1.877.873.8208 or Email Us for a Prompt Response.
Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law