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Navigating the VA disability claims process can feel overwhelming—particularly for Veterans who are already confronting the physical and mental toll of service-connected disabilities. Many find themselves stuck in a maze of paperwork, confused over eligibility requirements, or frustrated by delayed medical exams. These obstacles can add unnecessary stress and block Veterans from accessing the benefits they’ve earned.
Whether you’re a Veteran, someone coping with disabilities, or a supportive family member, understanding these hurdles can make all the difference in ensuring access to much-needed resources. More importantly, REE Medical’s services can make it easier to overcome these challenges.
Understanding the VA Disability Process
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits program compensates Veterans for injuries or illnesses resulting from or acquired during military service. To access these benefits, Veterans must submit a disability claim proving their condition and directly linking it to their time in the military.
The basic process begins with an application for service connection and benefits. Applicants must also provide medical evidence and, in some cases, attend a Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination to assess the severity of the claimed condition. After reviewing the application and medical evidence, the VA can deny the claim or assign a disability rating (0%-100%) based on how much the condition impacts the Veteran’s ability to work or function daily.
Veterans who ultimately receive service connection and disability rating are eligible for monthly VA disability compensation, the amounts of which are determined by the Veteran’s disability rating. Depending on the rating and disability, additional health services may also be available.
While the process may seem straightforward, the reality is much more complex. Significant barriers prevent many Veterans from completing a VA medical claim and attaining the appropriate benefits.
Complicated Paperwork
Filing a disability claim with the VA requires extensive documentation. To prove a service connection, Veterans may provide:
- Service Records: Documentation showing that the injury, illness, or aggravation occurred during military service and supporting service connection eligibility.
- Medical Records: Evidence of the diagnosis and its treatment history from military and private medical providers. These records will likely cover treatment and exams during and after service.
- DBQs: A standard Disability Benefit Questionnaire form specific to the disability claimed is submitted to the VA and is integral to the review and rating process.
- Supporting statements: These could be from family members, friends, clergy members, law enforcement personnel, or those you served with. These offer insight into a condition, including how and when it happened or how it got worse.
Completing a Veteran disability claim takes time, energy, and emotional resources. REE Medical leverages its extensive expertise in medical evidence to minimize frustration and alleviate the burden on Veterans. By streamlining the process ensuring accuracy, Veterans can pursue the benefits they deserve with more confidence and less confusion.
Burdensome and Insufficient Medical Exams
Acquiring accurate medical evidence is a critical step in the disability claims process, but it’s also one of the most frustrating for Veterans.
Some Veterans experience significant backlogs when relying on VA providers, meaning they might wait months for an exam appointment. Exams are often scheduled at facilities far from a Veteran’s home, creating logistical and financial burdens. Veterans may also find that examiners don’t spend adequate time evaluating their conditions, resulting in inaccurate ratings.
REE Medical’s nationwide network of providers offers Veterans comprehensive and accurate medical evaluations. These experienced medical professionals are ready to hear your whole story, eliminating the gaps insufficient exams can create in a claim.
Negative Impacts on Mental Health
Applying for disability benefits often takes a significant toll on a Veteran’s mental health. Conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression—which are already prevalent in the Veteran community—can be exacerbated by the stress and frustration of navigating the claims process.
It’s not unusual for Veterans to feel isolated during this process, particularly if they lack a robust support system or have experienced previous claim denials. This added strain often serves as a deterrent, discouraging Veterans from continuing with their claims.
At REE Medical, we take a compassionate approach, offering tailored evaluations that focus on the unique challenges faced by every Veteran. Our team is passionate about serving those who served and many of them are Veterans or come from a military family. Their thorough, Veteran-focused process ensures a clear plan resulting in proper documentation, minimizing stress and anxiety for all our clients.
Confusion About Eligibility
Another significant obstacle is the confusion surrounding eligibility criteria. Veterans may not realize which conditions qualify as service-connected disabilities or how multiple disabilities influence disability ratings. Veterans can and should complete a claim for all conditions connected to their military service. Completing a disability claim, even when the condition seems minor, can simplify future adjustments in the event that the disability worsens.
In addition, there’s often a lack of awareness about secondary disabilities. These are conditions caused or worsened by an already service-connected disability). For instance, diabetes may lead to neuropathy, and PTSD can exacerbate sleep apnea.
This confusion can lead to Veterans underreporting their conditions and missing out on a higher, more appropriate rating and the corresponding monthly compensation. REE Medical’s team excels at completing accurate Disability Benefit Questionnaires for VA disability claims, offering Veterans thorough medical evidence. We can demystify the process for Veterans, creating a clearer understanding of the potential outcome and next steps.
Lack of Support
For some Veterans, a lack of support is the biggest barrier to accessing disability benefits. They may feel overwhelmed by the Veterans claims process and unsure of where to start. Others might hesitate to ask for help due to a cultural stigma surrounding reliance on assistance. Family members may also find it challenging to offer the required support if they’re unfamiliar with the VA system themselves.
The lack of a strong support network often results in incomplete claims, extended timelines, claim rejections and Veterans giving up altogether.
At REE Medical, we strive to be a dependable ally for Veterans seeking service connection. By offering a simpler path to medical evidence and providing clients with a competent navigator, we give Veterans the efficiency and support they need to access medical evidence to strengthen a Veteran disability claim
Partner with REE Medical and Persevere
Accessing VA disability benefits isn’t just about getting financial compensation—it’s about securing the resources you need to live a fulfilling life post-service. The challenges are very real, but they’re not insurmountable.
Whether submitting your initial claim or seeking to enhance an existing rating, remember that you have support in obtaining the medical evidence you need. You can start by reaching out to REE Medical to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Intake Coordinators.