To qualify for disability benefits from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, you must meet three primary criteria:
- You must be a veteran of the United States military in good standing.
- You must suffer from a disability.
- Your disability must be the result of your military service.
Are you a veteran of the United States military in good standing?
- You must have been in active service as a member of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, the Environmental Services Administration or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
- You must have received an honorable discharge.
Do you suffer from a disability?
- A disability is a physical or psychological condition that substantially impairs your ability to work or perform daily tasks.
- Your condition must be diagnosed and treated by a licensed medical professional.
- You must adhere to any treatment prescribed by your doctor or therapist, including taking medication, attending therapy sessions, or undergoing necessary tests or procedures.
Is your disability the result of your military service?
- If you did not have a disability prior to your military service, you must have incurred your disability as a result of your service.
- If you had a disability prior to your service, you may be eligible if your condition was worsened as a result of your service.
- If you did not experience a disability until much later after your service, you may still be eligible if your condition can be tied back to your service.
If you are uncertain about whether you qualify for VA disability benefits, you should contact a lawyer with experience handling veterans’ disability claims.
