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Here at the law office of J. Robert Surface, our team has worked with veterans from all branches of the U.S. Military and all walks of life. Over the years, we have heard many of the same questions from our veteran clients about the complexities of applying for veterans disability benefits from the Veterans Administration (VA). If you have questions too, we’re here to help. Take a look at our frequently asked questions below, and if you don’t find the answers you’re looking for, contact us today to speak with our team.
If you have a service-related illness or injury, you may be eligible for VA disability compensation. Your disability must have started during or after your service in the military, and it must be related to that service. You can also claim that an existing condition worsened due to your service. Visit the VA website to find a list of covered conditions and start your application for disability benefits.
Yes. You can receive VA benefits while being enrolled in other health care coverage, such as Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance.
Yes, you can receive either SSI or SSDI and VA benefits concurrently. Keep in mind that SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits are income-based. Since your VA benefits don’t come from paid employment, they’ll be counted as “unearned income” and the exact dollar amount of VA benefits you receive will be deducted from your SSI payment. SSDI payments are not affected by VA benefits and no deduction will be made.
Yes. The VA will provide compensation benefits and services to those with a general discharge. In general, anyone with a character of discharge (COD) other than dishonorable is eligible for VA benefits and services.
If you have received a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge, you may be barred from receiving disability benefits from the VA. However, you can apply for a discharge upgrade or have your COD reviewed by the VA in an attempt to improve it.
Your disability claim could have been denied for one of a variety of reasons, from issues with your application to insufficient medical evidence. It’s undoubtedly frustrating to have your benefits denied, and you may feel like you’ve hit a dead end. If this is your situation, now is the time to seek the assistance of an experienced veteran disability lawyer like J. Robert Surface. Mr. Surface has years of experience with the VA and its rules and regulations, and he can help you understand exactly what you need to do to appeal the VA’s ruling on your claim.
If your claim was denied, your next step is to appeal the VA’s ruling on your claim. It’s not required that you hire an attorney; however, it’s certainly an advantage to do so, as an experienced disability attorney will be able to help you make your appeal more effective. There is no guarantee that having legal representation will cause you to win benefits, but having an attorney on your side can help you present the most compelling appeal possible. The process is complicated enough — don’t let the VA waste any more of your time. Contact us today to discuss your case.
If you have questions, we are available 24/7 at (864) 235-0886. The office of J. Robert Surface, Attorney at Law is located at 513 E Greer St, Honea Path, SC 29654. He proudly serves clients from Greenville, Clemson, Spartanburg and Columbia, SC, and areas of Georgia and North Carolina.