Some Additional Information About Disability Ratings and Benefits
When our country called, you and your service member/Veteran answered and a high price was paid. You and your family are still paying. Getting what is earned has turned into another battle, and it's a battle that shouldn't have to be fought alone. Rep For Vets will fights to get the benefits your family deserves, such as:
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Rep For Vets also offers free evaluations ​which is a huge benefit for many individuals.
What About Back Pay After Filing For VA Disability?
After submitting an Intent to File, a Veteran may receive VA disability back pay. This is money owed to a service member once his or her compensation application is approved - the allocation of back pay allows the VA to compensate a Veteran for all compensation that has accrued since the initial disability claim was submitted. This means - the longer a person waits, the more back pay they will likely be owed.
Why Might We Lose Out On Getting Back Pay?
There are several reasons why a Veteran might lose out on back pay.
Some examples could be:
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Not submitting a claim within a year of discharge:
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Veterans should submit their disability claim as soon as possible. If they don't submit the claim within one year, they will lose out on any back pay that could have been received between the date of application and the date of separation. ​
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Not keeping the claim moving:
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A Veteran must take steps to keep their claim moving forward to be eligible for back pay. For example, if a claim is denied and the Veteran doesn't appeal in a timely manner, the denial becomes final. ​
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Not reporting life changes:
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If a Veteran doesn't report a life change that affects their eligibility, they might owe the VA money.​
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​Not appealing a denial:​
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If a claim is denied, a Veteran must appeal in a timely manner to prevent the denial from becoming final. If the Veteran waits too long to appeal, they could lose out on months of benefits, even if they file a new claim and are approved for the same condition. ​
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Incarceration:
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If a Veteran is incarcerated for a felony or misdemeanor, their VA pension payment will stop 61 days after imprisonment. If they want to resume payments after release, they must meet VA eligibility requirements and notify the VA of their incarceration.​
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Claim backlogs:
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The VA's claim backlog can affect the progress of a claim by putting it on "hold." As of June 2024, the VA had over 250,000 cases that were "pending" for 125 days or longer!​
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Additional / Supporting Forms That May Be Needed Or Helpful For A Disability Application
When filing a disability claim, supporting documents are required to support your service member/Veterans claim and occasionally, some additional forms may also be needed depending on the claim.
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Some examples of supporting documents include:
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VA Forms 21-4142 and 21-4142a (Authorization for the Release of Non-VA Medical Information to the VA) which can be completed and submitted either online or with a form and submitted it by mail or in-person.
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VA Form 21-10210 (Lay or Witness Statement to Support a VA Claim), also called a "buddy statement." This is a formal statement to support your service member/Veterans claim or the claim of another Veteran or eligible family member. This form can also be submitted either online or with a form and submitted by mail or in-person.
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VA Form 21-0966 (Intent to File) which is used when your service member/Veteran is intending to file a disability claim and they want to start the process early (which could offer retroactive payments). This form can also be submitted either online or with a form and submitted by mail or in-person.
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Some examples of when additional forms may be needed include:
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Increased compensation if a Veteran can't work (Individual Unemployability)
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For disability compensation related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or another mental health condition (VA Disability Compensation for PTSD)
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For an automobile allowance or other conveyance and adaptive equipment (Special Claims Allowance)
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Adaptive-equipment grant for an automobile (Adaptive Equipment-Motor Vehicle)
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Clothing Allowance (Annual Clothing Allowance)
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It is important to always be timely in the application and (if applicable) appeals process.​
Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exam
When a service member/Veteran files a disability claim, they have to complete a VA claim exam, also called a C&P exam It is different from a regular medical appointment because the examiner won't prescribe any medication or treat a disability. It is part of the claim process and helps the VA determine if a service member/Veteran's disability is service-connected and their opinion on the severity of that disability.