Service-Connected Disabilities: What You Need to Know
If you are struggling with a medical condition or injury, it may be connected to your military service even if it developed decades after you were first enlisted.
Most people who think of service-connected disabilities only think of those obvious injuries which come from combat. However, there are several ways to prove that your current health issues were caused by your time in the service, regardless of how long ago you were discharged.
Direct Service Connection
Disabilities with a direct service connection are the easiest to prove, and are often easily awarded VA disability benefits. These types of injuries can include things like gunshot wounds and bomb explosions, but can also include disabilities like hearing or vision loss, back injuries, PTSD, and certain types of diseases.
Presumed Service-Connected Disabilities
For many veterans, some injuries are presumed to be connected to your service as a matter of law, even if they occur decades later. Depending on where you served, you may have been exposed to chemicals or herbicides which are known to cause diseases later in life. Additionally, any chronic conditions which appear within one year of your discharge are presumed to be service connected.
Secondary Service Connection
Injuries and disabilities which are not directly related to your service can still be the basis for a veterans disability claim. Many veterans spend years without the benefits and support they need because they do not realize that they can file claims for secondary service connected disabilities.
For example, if you injured your knee during your military service, that would be a direct service-connected disability. If your injured knee causes you to walk with a limp, and if 30 years after your discharge you have arthritis in your hip because of that limp, you can seek benefits for your hip injury because it is considered a secondary service-connected disability.
Secondary service-connected disabilities are extremely common, and are one of the main reasons veterans seek to increase their disability rating. The most frequent secondary injuries include:
- Depression/PTSD
- Hearing Loss
- Flat Feet
- Traumatic Arthritis
- Knee, Hip and/or Ankle Conditions
If your health is getting worse, and your medical conditions are being aggravated by an old service injury, you have the right to apply for benefits for your secondary service-connected condition.
It can often be difficult to prove that a new injury or disability is related to your military service, especially if your services occurred decades ago. However, experienced veterans advocates can help you prove that your condition is related to your service.
At Vets National Advocates, we know how to use your medical history to connect your current injury with your past service. We will help you show the VA how your injury is related to your military career, and will help you prepare for your disability appeals case.
If your application for benefits was denied, contact Vets National Advocates. You fought for usnow let us fight for you.
Call 877-777-4021 or use our case evaluation form to set up your appointment with an advocate.
Tags: Veterans News
