Eligibility for Veteran’s Disability Benefits
Veterans who have a disability related to their time in the service may be entitled to disability benefits. An example could be a gunner who now suffer from loss of hearing and tinnitus. The severity of the disability will result in the rating of disability. Some disabilities may only be rated at 10% or 20%, whereas other disabilities might be rated at 80% or complete disability. A veteran might also have many disabilities that when combined increased the rating of disability.
Presumption of Disability
Normally a veteran must prove that some aspect of his or her time in the service caused or contributed to his or her disability. Sometimes this requires evidence that the disability was diagnosed during the time of service or shortly thereafter and that the disability is not a recent occurrence. Many Vietnam veterans were exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam and surrounding countries or on aircraft or boats that transported the herbicide to Vietnam. For some diseases, the veteran must prove that he was exposed to Vietnam or that he was stationed in an area where Agent Orange was present. However, the Veteran’s Administration has established a link between these diseases and Agent Orange and it is easier for veterans who served in Vietnam to qualify for disability compensation if they have any of these diseases. Contact Riverside Elder Law attorney Dennis M. Sandoval is you are a Vietnam veteran (OR A SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBER) and you want to know more about qualifying for disability compensation based on your service in Vietnam.
Presumptive Diseases for Vietnam Vets
- Vietnam vets with AL Amyloidosis are presumptively eligible for disability benefits. This disease is a rare and caused when an abnormal protein enters your body.
- VA disability benefits may be presumptively available to Vietnam vets with Chronic B Cell Leukemia. This disease is a cancer that affects white blood cells.
- Vets who served in Vietnam with Chloracne, a skin condition that occurs after exposure to chemicals, mat be eligible for disability benefits. There are additional requirements for this condition to qualify for benefits.
- Military personnel who served in Vietnam and who have Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, a disease characterized by high blood sugar levels, may be eligible for disability benefits
- VA disability benefits may be available to Vietnam veterans with Hodgkin’s Disease.
- Vietnam vets with Ischemic Heart Disease, a heart condition characterized by reduced supply of blood to the heart, may presumptively qualify for disability benefits.
- Disability benefits may be available to vets with Multiple Myeloma, which is a cancer of the plasma cells.
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a group of cancers that affect the lymph glands and other lymphatic tissues that can lead to presumptive disability eligibility for Vietnam veterans.
- Vietnam veterans with Parkinson’s Disease, a progressive disorder of the nervous system, may presumptively qualify for VA disability benefits.
- Disability benefits may be presumptively available to vets who have Peripheral Neuropathy, Early Onset, a nervous system disorder that causes numbness tingling a muscle weakness. There are additional requirements for this condition.
- The same is true for vets with Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, which is a disorder characterized by liver dysfunction. There are addiitonal requirements for this condition.
- Vietnam veterans with Prostate Cancer, one of the most common cancers in men, may qualify for VA disability benefits.
- Military personnel who have respiratory cancers and who served in Vietnam may be presultively eligible for VA disability benefits.
- Soft Tissue Sarcomas is a cancer in tissues such as muscle, fat, blood, and lymph vessels, as well as connective tissues that may lead to presumptive disability for many Vietnam Veterans.
If you have any of these conditions and are a Vietnam Veteran, contact our office at 951-787-7711 to determine whether you may qualify for VA disability benefits.
ALS and Veterans Disability Compensation
The Veterans Administration has recognized that ALL Veterans (you don’t need to be a Vietnam vet) with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Scherosis) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease who had 90 days or more of continuous active military service may qualify for disability benefits. Contact us to learn more.
Children With Birth Defects
The Veterans Administration that has deterined that certain birth defects of children born to a Korean or Vietnam veteran after the veteran served a qualifying service period in Vietnam or the Korean Demilitarized Zone are associated with the veteran’s service in the military. This is especially true of children with Spina Bifada who were born to Vietnam Vets after they returned from service. Contact our law firm to learn more.
Riverside Elder Law Attorney Helps Veterans Obtain Benefits
Elder Law Attorney Dennis M. Sandoval specializes in assisting veterans and widows / widowers of veterans in qualifying for Aid and Attendance Compensation. To qualify for this benefit the veteran must have served during a time of war; meet certain income and asset standards, and need assistance in paying for caregiving services for the elderly and disabled (such as in-home care and assisted living). We also assist veterans with obtaining other benefits or we can put the veteran in touch with attorneys and other advocates who can assist him or her. Contact us via our website or by calling 951-787-7711 if you want to learn more about out services.
Have a question? Ask Dennis.
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