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.
When a veteran applies for VA disability benefits, they are evaluated to determine the nature and extent of their disability, as well as the extent to which their condition is related to their military service. A veteran’s benefits are determined by the extent to which they are determined they are disabled, as represented by a percentage (with the most benefits conferred at 100% disability). However, just because a veteran is evaluated at a certain disability rating doesn’t mean they stay that way.
Under certain circumstances, a disabled veteran may undergo a reexamination to determine the degree to which their condition may have progressed or receded. Most commonly, a reexamination occurs on one of two circumstances: six months after the veteran left military service, and anytime between two and five years after disability benefits were granted. A veteran’s benefits may be adjusted based on the results of this reexamination, although a reexamination can also be requested if there is evidence that a veteran’s disability has substantially improved.
The attorneys of Sullivan & Kehoe place a special focus on assisting disabled veterans. Our veterans’ disability lawyers 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.
