Here’s what the VA’s M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual says about doctors who are veterans themselves and evidence:
Tag: VA Disability
What is a Deferred Decision in a VA Disability Claim?
A deferred decision in a VA Disability Claim just means that the decision is delayed. Usually it is delayed for further development like ordering an exam for the condition that is deferred. For instance, when you filled for benefits, you may have filed for VA Disability Depression, Back Pain, Headaches, and bilateral(both left and right) Hip Pain. The …
The Top 4 Reasons to Get A VA Disability Claims Representative
It is not uncommon to hear people ask the question: “Why should I have representation in handling my VA claim?” The answer boils down to a simple premise: because the claim process can be extremely maddening. The VA disability claims process is intended to be non-adversarial. For the most part it is. Some people can …
Veteran’s Total Disability Due to Individual Unemployability Claims
Veterans may qualify for payment at a 100 percent rating if they meet certain criteria and are unable to work due to their service-connected conditions. This is called Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability, which is often shortened to TDIU or even just IU. For a veteran to qualify for Total Disability due to Individual …
The Importance of Lay Evidence in Your VA Disability Claim
What is lay evidence? One of the most powerful tools to use in building a VA disability claims case is “lay evidence.” Representatives often obtain lay evidence in the process of building up a veteran’s claim—in fact, it is often one of the starting points. It tells the VA and the representative, exactly what the …
Why Is My VA Disability Rating Codesheet Important?
When a veteran receives a disability claim rating decision from the VA a rating codesheet is also created for that decision. A VA disability claim rating codesheet provides information on a number of important matters to a claim. A VA rating codesheet includes the following information: · The name of the attorney, claims agent or …
How To Appeal A VA Disability Claim Rating in the New 2019 VA Appeals System
The various challenges faced by VA adjudicators result in lots of opportunities for error to be committed. The rather narrow focus of VA decision makers, who are operating inside a box defined by their manual, leads to an utter lack of imagination or tolerance for anything out of the ordinary, which also yields erroneous and …
How To Become A VA Accredited Claims Agent: The Process & Timeline
To become a VA-accredited claims agent, you must go through a formal application process and exam through the VA’s Office of General Counsel (OGC). After an extensive background check, VA claims agent hopefuls take an exam that demonstrates proficient knowledge of VA benefits law and procedures in topics that include basic eligibility for VA benefits, …
The Secret To Getting The Most Backpay In Your VA Disability Claims
Are you thinking about filing a new VA Disability Claim soon or filing a VA claim for increase on your existing service connected disabilities but are not quite ready yet? If so, there is a well-known secret to getting more backpay in your claims if they are eventually granted. The very moment you think you …
The 4 Ways To Get A Copy Of Your VA C&P Exam Results
Have you had a C&P Exam recently for your VA disability claim and wonder what the report actually says? If so, you are not alone. Many veterans are anxious to find out exactly what the examiner had to say about their condition. The exams are, after all, a major determinant of the rating the veteran …
How To Apply For VA Disability: Filing A VA Claim 101
There are four different ways to apply for VA disability benefits depending on the type of benefit you are seeking which include: Working with an accredited representative or claims agent. Going to a VA regional office and have a VA employee assist you. To find the VA regional office nearest you, use the Veterans Affairs National Facilities …
Be Prepared: What To Expect In Your VA C&P Exam
Compensation and Pension examinations, also known as “C&P exams,” are frequently used by the VA when deciding veterans’ disability claims. Specifically, the VA uses C&P exams to diagnose conditions, rate disabilities and determine service connection issues. Because C&P exams are often required, it is important that veterans understand what to expect when attending a C&P …
Common VA Functional Loss & Limitations for Joint Conditions
Functional limitation or loss for VA purposes is simply what you can and cannot do as a result of your injuries. You should be as specific as possible when answering questions about your VA functional loss or limitation in your C&P exam or personal statement with examples such as cannot pick up my child; cannot ride …
How To Appeal Denied VA Disability Claims & Decisions: The Legacy System Before February 2019
The various challenges faced by VA adjudicators result in lots of opportunity for error to be committed. The rather narrow focus of VA decision makers, who are operating inside a box defined by their manual, leads to an utter lack of imagination or tolerance for anything out of the ordinary, which also yields erroneous and …
How to Claim Secondary Service Connection & Common Secondary Conditions
Most veterans don’t realize that there are at least five distinct routes to connect a medical condition to their military service. One of the most overlooked yet advantageous ways to get a higher VA disability rating is through SECONDARY service connection. If a veteran currently has a diagnosed service connected disability and believes they have …
Independent Medical Opinions & Nexus Letters
A “nexus letter” is a document prepared for a claimant by a medical professional that explicitly connects an in-service event to the current medical condition for which a claimant is seeking compensation. A claimant is not required to submit a nexus letter, but such a letter can make the difference between an award and a …