When you apply for veterans’ disability benefits through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, you may feel it is already an arduous and complicated process. You may think that, once you’re through the process and get awarded benefits, you are basically done and don’t need to worry anymore about whether you’ll get to have your benefits. However, anyone who receives veterans’ disability benefits may, at some point, be asked to go through a reexamination of their disability status. Continue reading “What is a Disability Reexamination?”
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SSA Removes English Language Rule from Disability Criteria
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued a rule that could significantly change how disability determinations are made for non-English speakers applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The rule repeals a decades-old regulation that dictated that the inability to speak English should be taken into consideration when determining whether a person should receive disability benefits. As a result, anyone applying for SSDI or SSI benefits should be aware of the potential impact the rule could have on their application. Continue reading “SSA Removes English Language Rule from Disability Criteria”
What is the Process for Applying for Veterans’ Disability Benefits?
If you’re a veteran who became disabled as a result of your military service, you may be entitled to benefits through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA). If your application for disability benefits is accepted, you could be entitled to both financial assistance and healthcare through the VA health system, among other possible benefits. But what’s actually involved in applying for veterans’ disability benefits, and what does the application process look like? Continue reading “What is the Process for Applying for Veterans’ Disability Benefits?”
White House Proposes New Category for Disability Reviews
The Trump Administration has proposed a new rule that, if accepted, could subject recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to reviews of their disability status more frequently. The rule change is expected to result in millions more disability reviews, which will need to be carried out by the Disability Determination Services (DDS) offices in each state. Critics say the rule change is likely to be strenuous for disability recipients and may place additional strain on the Social Security Administration (SSA) and state DDS offices. Continue reading “White House Proposes New Category for Disability Reviews”
When Should You Consider Applying for Social Security Disability?
When Should You Consider Applying for Social Security Disability?
Social Security Disability Insurance (or SSDI, for short) is a government program that provides monetary support for people who suffer from a disability that prevents them from working. Millions of Americans claim disability benefits through SSDI every year, although not every person with a disability has it, or necessarily qualifies for it. So how do you know if you should apply for Social Security Disability Insurance? Continue reading “When Should You Consider Applying for Social Security Disability?”
TBI: VA and DOD to Allocate $50m For Research
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious health condition that can result in many debilitating problems and are a sadly common occurrence among veterans. And yet, TBIs are poorly understood, and treatments for TBI are limited in terms of both their availability and effectiveness. Therefore, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD) have dedicated $50 million to TBI research.
The new initiative, dubbed the Long-Term Impact of Military-related Brain Injury Consortium (LIMBIC), is dedicated to researching TBI, including both its effects and possible treatments. LIMBIC is a partnership of both public and private parties, including the VA, DOD, and the National Institute of Health, as well as several universities and nonprofit organizations. Spearheading the effort is Dr. David X. Cifu, a TBI specialist and professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University.
Previous TBI research has already show that even mild brain injuries are linked to conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and chronic pain, and has shown a link between these conditions and substance abuse (particularly opioid abuse), as well as an increased risk of suicide. They have also developed new tests for detecting TBI, such as questionnaires, brain scans, fluid biomarkers and electrophysiology, which also help learn about how the brain heals when it’s injured. The hope of the LIMBIC initiative is that it will be able to determine more about the effects of TBIs to enable better treatments and help those currently suffering as a result of TBI, including veterans with TBI-linked disabilities.
The attorneys of Sullivan & Kehoe place a special focus on assisting disabled veterans. With over 50 years of combined experience between its lawyers, our attorneys may be able to assist you or a loved one in obtaining VA disability benefits. Call our office at (800) 395 -7830 to schedule a consultation in our New York City, Garden City, Kings Park, Riverhead, or White Plains office, or visit our contact page.
The Determination of Disability Rating
If you’re a veteran being assessed for disability benefits by the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA), chances are you’ve heard about your disability “rating.” However, you might not know what it is, or what it means for you. This can be an issue, as your disability rating determines exactly how much the government will give you, should they determine you are eligible for disability benefits. Continue reading “The Determination of Disability Rating”
