Do you know if you're eligible for VA disability benefits?

The hardest part of obtaining VA disability benefits will be convincing the Veterans Administration that you are disabled due to active military service. There are five types of disability types to help you determine if you should be receiving VA disability benefits:

1) Direct Service Connection

In this instance, you will need to supply the VA with medical records that proves your disability was diagnosed during the time you were serving.  You will also need to prove that the condition continues to negatively affect you today.

2) Presumptive Service Connection

Presumptive disability benefits are the "who," "what," "when," and "where" form of veteran's compensation.  A veteran is entitled to presumptive disability benefits when the VA predetermines that your disability is connected to your "time," "place," and "type" of military service.

(Recently, the VA announced that several Vietnam vets qualified for presumptive illness benefits related to Agent Orange exposure.) 

3) Aggravation Service Connection

You must be able to provide evidence that your condition existed prior to your military service and has worsened as a result of service.

4) Secondary Service Connection  

You must be able to provide evidence to the VA that your disability or injury is the result of another service connected disability or injury. It's possible to obtain this rating by proving that a service connected condition caused a new disability, or made a pre-existing or non-service connected disability worse.

5) Injured as a result of VA medical treatment

Veterans who sustatin injury due to poor treatment at a VA hospital may be elgible for VA disability benefits.  These benefits may also be granted to veterans who have an existing injury that was aggravated due to malpractice at a VA hospital.