Monday, July 27, 2015

Disability Benefits Available for Gulf War Vets



After the 1991 Persian Gulf War, combat veterans reported a range of medically unexplained symptoms, including headaches, chronic fatigue, loss of muscle control, dizziness, muscle and joint pains, skin problems, and memory problems, among many others. Collectively, these symptoms were found to be connected to Persian Gulf War syndrome, an illness many combat veterans had reportedly acquired from their service in the Gulf War.

Possible Causes of the Gulf War Syndrome

So far, studies have mostly been inconclusive on what exactly is causing illnesses among Gulf War combat veterans. Some studies have found a possible link between the condition and the veterans’ possible exposure to nerve gas medication and insect repellents; while other studies indicate a correlation between the condition and the administration of anthrax vaccine. A federally mandated research in the U.S., however, shows that many of the cases may be related to the vets’ exposure to toxic chemicals while serving in the war.

Eligibility for VA and Social Security Disability Benefits

Gulf War veterans who have acquired symptoms related to Gulf War syndrome may be eligible for veterans disability compensation and Social Security disability benefits. Veterans who have worked at least half the time since they were 21 are also eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance, while those who haven’t worked for a long time due to disability are eligible for Supplemental Security Income. Being awarded VA disability benefits, however, does not guarantee automatic approval for SSDI or SSI.
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Monday, July 20, 2015

Returning Disabled Soldiers Demands Help



Soldiers who get injured in the service are entitled to benefits. This is especially so if the injury leads to a disability. Depending on how bad the disability is, a veteran can receive anything from $1,404 to $30,324 annually.

To get these benefits, a veteran needs to file a claim by filling up and submitting the appropriate forms. The Veteran’s Administration will check on a veteran’s disability to see if they are eligible and how much should they be awarded. All of these would culminate in a hearing. This means a veteran must be able to present proof of his disability like medical records and successfully present his case to the VA.

However, the claims process is very thorough and there might be a number of delays; this is even more evident nowadays with many veterans returning home disabled. Another problem is that sometimes claims can be rejected because of technicalities like not submitting the right paperwork or giving the wrong information. Finally, a hearing can be very stressful for someone disabled and can result in them not being able to present themselves at their best; this can cause their claim to be rejected or full benefits not being awarded.

This is where veterans disability lawyers can help. Legal professionals can help guide veterans through the claims process and advise them on how to properly present their cases for best results.
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Friday, July 10, 2015

VA Benefits: Dealing with the Potential Roadblocks

Acceptable risks of joining the armed services often include injuries sustained during various actions. If a serviceman experiences injury, the hard road to compensation begins, but learning about potential roadblocks will be critical when a disability benefits attorney works out the details. Some of these hindrances are outlined below.
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