Jan Dils Veteran Disability

When a Veteran goes through an “Intake” in our office, the fifth question we ask is,  “What was your MOS?”

For those of you who don’t know, MOS stands for Military Occupational Specialty. For civilians, it’s a lot like a job description. It describes what a soldier does in the Military. The US Army website has hundreds of MOSs listed. There is a wide variety of “Military Jobs” listed, too. They range from Special Forces Officer to Oboe Player --and everything in-between .

We ask about a Veteran’s MOS because it can have a lot to do with getting service connected for a disability claim. For instance, if a Veteran is trying to claim hearing loss, an MOS of Infantryman will support this claim a lot more than an MOS of Human Resources Specialist. The reason for this is that an Infantryman is a lot more likely to be involved in a combat situation in which he or she is exposed to loud noises, and other activities that could damage hearing.

(It is important to note that a Veteran’s MOS is not the only factor that plays into Service Connecting for a Disability Claim.  In fact, an MOS is just one of many things that are considered when a claim is being reviewed.)

The VA Disability Process can be complicated.  That is why so many Veterans turn to the legal professionals at Jan Dils Attorneys at Law. If you would like to know more about what we do, or if you would like a FREE consultation, give us a call at 1-877-526-3457, or tell us about your claim now by clicking here.

So you filed a Notice of Disagreement and you were denied again on your claim. What do you do now? The decision you received after filing a Notice of Disagreement is called a Statement of the Case, or SOC for short. A VA Form 9 [or simply called a VA9] is an appeal filed after this decision.  The decision you receive after filing the VA9 is a Supplemental Statement of the Case or SSOC. This decision looks very similar to the Statement of the Case. It is very important to appeal both decisions in a timely manner by filing the VA9.

The SOC and SSOC are decisions made by the Decision Review Officer at your VA regional office. You only have 60 days after receiving an SOC and 30 days after an SSOC to file the VA9. It is very important to fill out the form correctly, too. On the form, it requests your basic information, such as your name, claim number, social security number, mailing address, and phone number. Below your personalinformation, it will then ask what type of hearing you would like. You can choose not to go to a hearing, have one by live videoconference, go to an in-person hearing at your local VA Regional Office, or attend a hearing in Washington, DC where the Board of the Veterans Appeals [BVA for short] is located. After the type of hearing is selected, it is then important to list the issues you would like to pursue in the box below.

It is very important to understand that the VA Form 9 must be filed in a timely manner after receiving a SOC or SSOC. If the VA9 is not filed before the deadline, then your claims will be considered as “closed” and you will have to start from the beginning of the process. Our staff at Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law is very experienced with filing VA9s and will ensure that they are filed correctly and promptly after receiving your SOC or SSOC. If you have questions in regards to VA Form 9s, please don’t hesitate to call us: 1-877-526-3457, or tell us about your claim now.

Yesterday, a client that I am often in contact with at the office stopped by to give me an update. He was actually a little upset. He had recently found a new job, and he was worried that he could no longer pursue his VA Disability Claim.

I quickly took this Veteran into one of our consultation rooms and explained to him how VA Disability Compensation works. I explained that even if he made 30 million dollars a year, he would still be eligible for Disability Compensation benefits. He seemed a little hesitant about that, so I explained further. VA Disability Compensation is not income-based.  Thus, the amount of money a Veteran makes in a given year has no effect on his compensation. He understood, but then replied, “My buddy lost his compensation because he and his wife made too much money.”

After hearing this, I explained to him that his buddy probably did not receive Disability Compensation, but rather he likely received Pension. A lot of people do not realize that Disability Compensation and Pension are actually two separate things. Due to the fact that Pension is income-based, you may lose that benefit depending upon your income.

The Veteran thought for a second, and then realized that his buddy did mention the word Pension in a recent conversation. After I explained that we would still be able to pursue his claim, he was very relieved.

At Jan Dils Attorneys at Law, we never hesitate to educate Veterans about the VA Process. This is just one of the many ways we serve our clients. If you would like to know more about what we do, or if you would like a FREE consultation, give us a call at 1-877-526-3457, or tell us about your claim now by clicking here.

A gentleman already service connected for PTSD came into the office wanting to file a new claim for depression.   He had been to Mental Health and his doctor wanted him to try a new medication for the depression.  I knew he would not be able to file a new claim for depression, so I talked to him first about how the VA defined PTSD to give him a better understanding of why we could not file the claim. 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health issue that occurs after someone has been involved in a traumatic event such war, disaster, or assault.  Some Veterans who have PTSD have already been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Anxiety.  They may also suffer symptoms of nightmares, anger, or avoidance.  In essence, the VA lumps all these together under PTSD.  It may seem better to get rated for each one individually.  The law provides that a Veteran may only receive compensation for one psychiatric disability.  All symptoms of the disability are included in the evaluation  assigned for the disability. 

The office of Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law is available to answer your questions.  Call us today at 1-877-526-3457, or tell us about your claim now: click here.

 Did you serve in the Gulf War?   Regardless of how much rest you may get, do you still find yourself constantly tired?  Do you have frequent or constant heartburn?  Perhaps you were a high school track athlete but now the walk from the house to the car leaves you short of breath?  You may have one or many of the Gulf War Illnesses that are plaguing our Veterans who serve in the Gulf.  First, let’s talk about the Gulf War.

The Gulf War covers time periods from when the first Gulf War started on August 2, 1990 to present, the Iraqi Freedom Mission (2003-2010), and Operation New Dawn (2010-2011).  It includes the areas of Iraq, Saudi Arabia (and the neutral zone between the two); Kuwait, Bahrain, The United Arab Emirates, Oman, Gulf of Aden & Oden, the waters of the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, and the Red Sea, and the airspace above all these areas. 

Now that we have established the area  and time periods of the Gulf War, let’s  define what Gulf War Illnesses are.  Gulf War Illnesses are certain illnesses directly related and affected by a Veteran’s time served in the Gulf War.  A list of these conditions includes:

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a condition of being constantly tired, which is similar to having a constant flu with severe body, muscle, and head aches. 

• Functional Gastrointestinal problems, which includes a constant upset or sour stomach.

•   Other symptoms include unexplainable weight loss, cardiovascular disease, menstrual problems, psychological and neurological problems. 

This is only the beginning as there are more symptoms that are less defined.  All Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC) offer free health exams to help diagnose your illnesses and provide you with treatment.

Let us help you get the benefits you deserve.  Call the office of Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law at 1-877-526-3457 with your questions. Or, tell us about your case now by clicking here.

(Written by Special Guest Blogger Elizabeth Dues, Intake Specialist)

A gentleman called me on the phone sounding really unsure about whether he should apply for Social Security benefits.  He served in the Gulf War and had a bomb explode right beside him while he was performing a field safety check.  The hospital was able to remove most of the shrapnel from his arms, legs, and face.  However, the pain in his legs is so bad that sitting and standing is almost unbearable.  I explained that he had nothing to be ashamed of and many people who have worked their whole lives apply for disability benefits.  Still sounding unsure, he felt that since he had served his country and endured the injuries of war, there was not a logical reason why he could not hold down a job.  Besides, his friends had told him, it could be months, or years, before he even got disability benefits and he could not have his family suffer financially for that long. 

Again, I told him he had nothing to be ashamed of if he wanted to apply for benefits.  He had provided a great service to his country.  As such, if he was not able to work that was what disability was for.  As a Gulf War Veteran, Social Security would expedite his claim.  Under Wounded Warriors, any militaryVeteran that served and was injured after October 1, 2001, regardless of where they were stationed, is entitled to expedited processing of their disability claim.  It is very important that the claimant states somewhere on the application, or during the initial process, that they served during this period.  I also explained that expedited treatment did not guarantee him an approval but it would definitely speed up the processing of his claim. 

Let the office of Jan Dils, Attorney At Law help you avoid the delays of the Social Security process.  Whether you are unsure of whether or not you should apply, or want to try to get your claim the expedited treatment it deserves under Wounded Warriors, call us at 1-877-526-3457.   

Our Office handles Social Security Claims in addition to VA Disability Claims. Many Veterans have questions about both types of Disability. This post was written by Special Guest Blogger, and Intake Specialist at Jan Dils Attorneys at Law, Elizebeth Dues. To learn more about the Social Security process, check out our Social Security blog.

So, you just filled out your 21-526, and are probably wondering how long your VA Disability claim will take. Unfortunately for most Veterans, the answer isn’t pleasant. At the current time, most VA Claims take anywhere from two to four years for a final decision to be made.

There is a pretty good chance that the news mentioned above has you a little upset, and you are probably are wanting to know why claims take so long. There are several factors that go into the long wait for claims to be approved.

First and foremost, the number of new claims being filed is contributing to the backlog. With many Veterans returning home from the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, there are now more new claims being filed through the VA than ever before. This adds to the number of previous claims already pending through the VA. Take the state of North Carolina for instance. Their one Regional Office has more than 20,000 claims pending right now.

While on the subject of Regional Offices, it is important to note that your Regional Office and location as a whole have a lot to do with your timeline. A Regional Office located in a major metropolitan area, like Chicago or New York City, will likely be more backed up then those located in more rural areas.

Another factor contributing to length of a claim is the appeals process. A full explanation of the appeals process can be found here.

At Jan Dils Attorneys at Law, we understand how frustrating this wait can be. Fighting your claim alone can be very difficult. Call us today to find out about the services we offer: 1-877-526-3457, or tell us about your claim now.

Parkersburg, WV –This year’s event will take place on April 28, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at City Park in Parkersburg, WV.  Created by the team at Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law as a way to recognize local Veterans, Walk4Vets will donate all net proceeds this year to the Parkersburg Division of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DVA), and the Veteran’s of Foreign War (VFW).

Said Jan Dils of last year’s event, which raised over $13,000, “Last year’s event was such a success, we are all really looking forward to an even bigger and better event for 2012.  I can’t think of a more deserving group than our Veterans.  They’ve worked so hard and risked it all for each and every person in this country.  This Walk for Veterans is just one small thing we can do to try to give something back.”

This year’s Walk4Vets event is scheduled to include live music, games for adults and children, car and motorcycle clubs, a variety of booths, and more—all with a patriotic theme that the whole family can enjoy.  “Everyone at Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law is so proud that we are able to help our Veterans and their families obtain the benefits they deserve,” added Jan Dils.  “The Walk4Vets will give everyone the chance to help and feel as proud as we do.”  For more information about the event, including details on registration, visit www.fight4vets.com or www.jandils.com and join us on April 28^th!

The firm of Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, focuses on Social Security and Veterans Law helping individuals receive the compensation they deserve.  The firm assists clients at every stage in the application and appeals process to obtain Veterans’ disability, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  Based in West Virginia, Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law assists clients nationwide through a network of locations in Parkersburg, Huntington, Charleston, Logan and Beckley, West Virginia, as well as Charlotte, North Carolina.  To contact Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, call 304-428-8900 or toll free at 1-877-VETERANS, or visit them online at www.jandils.com or www.fight4vets.com

I had a gentleman tell me the other day that he never hired an attorney to help him with his VA claim for fear it would slow it down.  He also said that a friend had even told him if he hired an attorney, the VA would make him start his claim over from the beginning.  I quickly told him these were simply not true.  We then discussed how an attorney, like Jan Dils who specializes in VA disability claims, could really help with his claim.

At Jan Dils, we request every Veteran client’s Claims file (C-file).   Once we receive your C-file, our dedicated C-file team reviews your file for evidence to back up the claims you may have already filed.  They also review for additional claims we can file on your behalf.  Another benefit is each client is assigned a Case Manager to personally assist you with the processing of your paperwork, corresponding with the VA on your behalf, and making sure your evidence gets submitted in a timely manner.  We may not be able to speed up the processing of your claim, but we definitely make sure it does not get delayed.

Don’t let any more time waste away.  Call the office of Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law today at 1-877-526-3457 and let us help you with your claim. Or, use our online contact form.

 A Veteran called me yesterday asking about his current claim. He said he had not heard anything about it in 3 years. So I asked if he had received a decision. He responded by stating that he did receive one three years ago, but that’s the last he had heard. At that point I asked if he had appealed his decision and he responded that he did not. I viewed this as a red flag. I had to inform him that his claim had likely closed. This Veteran was not familiar with the appeals process.

Depending on what type of decision you receive, you have a certain amount of time to appeal it. If the decision is not appealed in a timely manner, the claim will then close. For example, this Veteran received his first decision from the VA. You only have one year from the date of that decision to file an appeal.  Since he did not file an appeal within that year, his claim automatically closed. If your claim is closed and you further want to pursue it, you have to file a “reopen” on the claim.  In some cases, you will have to submit new and material evidence to reopen the claim.  For an increase in a service-connected condition, you will need to file for an increase stating that your condition has worsened.

Many Veterans don’t realize our law firm can help you with reopening your claim. So many Veterans turn to Jan Dils Attorneys at Law because we have the knowledge and the ability to navigate through the VA Disability Claims process. Our friendly staff is always willing to answer any questions you may have about eligibility, so feel free to give us a call: 1-877-526-3457.Or use our online contact form.

Recently, a Veteran called me asking several questions about service connected disabilities. He said he was connected at 30% for PTSD, 10% on hearing loss, and wanted to know if he could do anything about the “ringing in his ears.” He went on to mention that he actually served in combat during his time in Iraq. I quickly explained to the Veteran that he could possibly get connected for a disability which is commonly known as tinnitus.

            You are likely wondering, “What is tinnitus?” It’s actually quite simple. According to the National Institute of Deafness, tinnitus is commonly described as a ringing in the ears, but it also can sound like roaring, clicking, hissing, or buzzing. It may be soft or loud, high pitched or low pitched. The Institute goes on to state that it may occur in one ear, or both.  The tinnitus may be constant or happen only occasionally.

            If you have this ringing in the ears, you are likely wondering what caused the issue. The Institute for Deafness goes on to state the following: People who work in noisy environments—such as factory or construction workers, road crews, or even musicians—can develop tinnitus over time when ongoing exposure to noise damages tiny sensory hair cells in the inner ear that help transmit sound to the brain. This is called noise-induced hearing loss. It’s fair to say people in the military, especially those in combat zones, or working on noisy ships, meet these criteria.

            For this particular Veteran, we filed a new claim on his behalf for tinnitus. His claim is still pending at the VA. If he is granted a rating, the most he will receive is 10%. According to the 38 CFR, this is the highest rating a Veteran can receive for tinnitus. (Please note: Hearing loss and tinnitus are two separate issues. It is possible to get connected for both.)

            If you have been diagnosed with tinnitus, and would like us to pursue a claim for your VA Disability, give our office a call for a free phone consultation. You can call us toll free at 1-877-526-3457, or use our online contact form.

A gentleman called me on the phone sounding really unsure about whether he should apply for Social Security benefits.  He served in the Gulf War and had a bomb explode right beside him while he was performing a field safety check.  The hospital was able to remove most of the shrapnel from his arms, legs, and face.  However, the pain in his legs is so bad that sitting and standing is almost unbearable.  I explained that he had nothing to be ashamed of and many people who have worked their whole lives apply for disability benefits.  Still sounding unsure, he felt that since he had served his country and endured the injuries of war, there was not a logical reason why he could not hold down a job.  Besides, his friends had told him, it could be months, or years, before he even got disability benefits and he could not have his family suffer financially for that long. 

Again, I told him he had nothing to be ashamed of if he wanted to apply for benefits.  He had provided a great service to his country.  As such, if he was not able to work that was what disability was for.  As a GulfWar Veteran, Social Security would expedite his claim.  Under Wounded Warriors, any military Veteran that served and was injured after October 1, 2001, regardless of where they were stationed, is entitled to expedited processing of their disability claim.  It is very important that the claimant states somewhere on the application, or during the initial process, that they served during this period.  I also explained that expedited treatment did not guarantee him an approval but it would definitely speed up the processing of his claim. 

Let the office of Jan Dils, Attorneys At Law help you avoid the delays of the Social Security process.  Whether you are unsure of whether or not you should apply, or want to try to get your claim the expedited treatment it deserves under Wounded Warriors, call us at 1-877-526-3457. Or use our online contact form.  

In order to receive service connection for a back condition, you must show that you injured your back while on active duty or had a pre-existing back condition which was aggravated while on active duty.  When evaluating your back condition, the VA uses what is called Range of Motion to measure how disabled your back is.  A Veteran can get rated on a cervical, thoracolumbar spine condition.  The thoracolumbar spine condition may include a sacral condition. 

The lowest rating for a back condition is 0% and the highest is 100%.  The most common rating for a severe back condition we see at the firm is 40%.  In order to receive a higher rating of 50%, the VA examiner must find unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.  For a 100% rating, the VA examiner must find unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. 

When a veteran reaches a rating of 40% on a back condition, we tend to leave it alone because the VA examiner could find an improved range of motion and the veteran could get a decrease in his or her service connected compensation.

At Jan Dils Attorneys at Law, our attorneys and staff are dedicated to helping Veterans get the benefits they deserve. Give our office a call today for a free phone consultation. Our toll free number is 1-877-526-3457or use our online contact form.

Since the VA began granting benefits to disabled Veterans as early as 1917, thousands of Veterans have worked towards getting the benefits they deserve. Many Veterans and their loved ones feel that after fighting for our country, they’ve been fighting for their benefits all alone. Fortunately, there is help.

Many Veterans have relied on their local Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) for aid with their cases. These include Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), AMVETS, and the list goes on. In fact, the VA can supply a Veteran with a list of recognized VSOs for representation when filing for benefits (form 21-0790).

In 2007, the VA allowed attorneys to represent Veterans earlier in the process. Instead of waiting for adenial and filing an appeal known as a Notice of Disagreement (NOD), attorneys could counsel Veterans on their initial application. Not only did Veterans have access to these accredited representatives who could appear with them at hearings, they were also able to receive help when they needed it most.

At Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law, we represent Veterans at every level. Our attorneys will work alongside you from the initial application process to appeals to hearings. Please call our office at 1-877-526-3457 where our staff will help you navigate the VA system. Or use our online contact form.

 

When filing an initial application with the VA Regional Office (VARO), you have to wait for them to make a decision on the individual claims that you are filing. Once the VARO makes a decision they will send it to you by mail. This is known as a rating decision. If a rating decision is unfavorable, and you disagree with it, you would need to file an appeal. The appeal is called a Notice of Disagreement or a NOD.  After receiving the rating decision, you have one year from the date on that decision to file the NOD. If the NOD is not filed in a timely manner, unfortunately, your claim could close and you might have to start the process all over again.

A notice of disagreement, or any appeal, is very important if you do not want to start the process over again. Once you file the appeal you will have more time to gather evidence to support your claim. At Jan Dils Attorneys at Law, we understand how confusing the process may be. We have a team of professionals who are compassionate about our Veterans and are eager to help you. If you are interested in legal representation, you may contact our office at 1-877-526-3457. We are more than willing to help you with any questions that you may have. or use our online contact form.

After filing a notice of disagreement you may be asking yourself,  “What about a hearing? “

You may ask for a DRO hearing after filing the notice of disagreement at your local regional office. DRO stands for decision review officer. Often, some regional offices will schedule a DRO video hearing at a VA Medical Center closest to you. This is where the decision review officer will be in the regional office and you and your representative will be at the Medical Center.

 A DRO hearing is a get together with a decision review officer where you can talk about your claim(s) to state your side of the story. A DRO hearing is nothing like you see inthe movies. There is no jury. Normally, it is just you, the DRO, and your representative, if you have one. Along with a representative, you may bring a witness if you wish. Also, this is the time to present any new evidence. Your representative, and possibly the decision review officer, will ask you questions to present recognition and insight to your distinctive situation.  The VA will not reimburse mileage for hearings.

Need help filing for a DRO hearing or have more questions about requesting a DRO hearing? Please contact our office at 1-877-838-3726. Or use our online contact form.

 As someone who works with Veterans on a daily basis, I see a lot of similar injuries in those who served. One example of this would be injuries to the shoulder and the arm. These injuries can occur in combat and in non-combat duties. Getting service connected for a shoulder, arm, and leg, etc. can be quite difficult. One thing many Veterans do not realize is that range of motion plays a huge part in the evaluation of their disability.

Range of motion is the distance and direction of movement of a joint. With this definition in mind, we can determine that a limited range of motion means a specific joint or body part cannot move through its normal range of motion.

There are so many factors that have to be taken into account when being rated. Examples include Malunion (meaning, the healing of a fracture with incorrect anatomical alignment) and Nonunion (meaning, failure of a broken bone to heal).

The scapula and humerus move as one piece. An unfavorable ankylosis with abduction limited to 25 degrees from side can rate 40% for nondominant arm and 50% for dominant arm, for example.  A clavicle or scapula impairment of dislocation is rated 0% to 40%.  A shoulder condition can affect the humerus, clavicle, range of motion for the arm and recurrent dislocation (Fibrous union-- this is what forms tendons and ligaments). 

These are just some of the examples; it can be very complex when working on a shoulder injury/condition.  Keep in mind all joints (shoulder, elbow, knee, and back) are based on range of motion, not the amount of pain it causes or the amount of medication needed for relief. At Jan Dils Attorneys at Law we have the knowledge and resources to help you navigate the VA Disability Process. Call our office today for a free phone consultation: 1-877-526-3457. Or use our online contact form.

If you are a Veteran who is pursuing a VA Disability claim, there is a good chance that you will receive a VCAA. If you do receive one of these documents, it can be quite confusing. You may find yourself asking: "What is a VCAA?"

The abbreviation VCAA stands for Veterans Claims Assistance Act. This document is sent to the Veteran once the VA has received a claim. This document should be received before there is a decision made on a claim.

The VCAA not only lets you know that the VA has received your claim or claims, but it also lists the claims they have received and lets you know that they are working on them. The VCAA also tells you how to helpthe VA when they are trying to get all the information they need for your claims. This document tells you what evidence the VA has already, and what additional evidence they need, like medical records or statements from people who have seen how your disability affects you. This form also explains what the VA is responsible for getting in for evidence on your claims. They describe what new and material evidence is and what it must show for service-connection or secondary service-connection. Finally, this form explains how the VA determines the disability rating and the effective date of the rating.

The VCAA is a very important piece of the process of filing claims and contains very important information. It not only assists the VA in rating your claims faster, but also explains to you exactly what they need you to send them to help with your claims. Here at Jan Dils Attorneys At Law, we can help with understanding this and many other forms and we can help you get the benefits you deserve. For a free consultation, please call 1-877-526-3457. Or Tell us about your case.

 When applying for VA Disability Compensation and/or Pension Benefits, the characteristic type of discharge may play a huge factor in deciding whether or not you are eligible for benefits.  There are five different types of discharges that you may receive, which are as follows; Honorable, General, Other than Honorable, Bad Conduct (BCD), and Dishonorable. If you receive an Honorable, General, or a Discharge Under Honorable Conditions, you would be eligible to receive any type of benefit.

To be able to receive an “Honorable Discharge,” a service member must have received a rating from very good to excellent from their time of service. You are eligible to receive a “General Discharge” when you get separated from the service, under honorable conditions, and your performance is satisfactory. If you receive an “Other Than Honorable” discharge, it was either for misconduct or security reasons. When receiving a “Bad Conduct Discharge” you are normally separated from the service under conditions other than honorable. This is approved by a sentence of a special court-martial. Lastly, if you receive a dishonorable separation as part of a punishment then you will receive a Dishonorable Discharge.

If you do not agree with your discharge, you are able to fill out a DD Form 293, Application for the Review of Discharge From the Armed Forces of the United States. When becoming a new client at Jan Dils Attorneys at Law, one of the first questions that we ask is what type of discharge do you have? We are able to answer any types of questions that you may have and we will let you know if we believe you are eligible for VA Disability Compensation and/or Pension. If you are looking for legal representation for your VA Disability Benefits, you have come to the right place. We have several experienced people who have the knowledge and ability to help you with your VA Disability Claims. Feel free to give us a call at at 1-877-526-3457. Or Tell us about your case.

 I had a client who was in the Coast Guard come into the office the other day. He wanted to know if his Coast Guard service made him eligible for VA disability benefits. I then realized we do not have a lot of Coast Guard Veterans, so others might have the same question. The answer is yes.

 The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces. They are a small military service with approximately 38,000 active duty and 12,000 reserve p

ersonnel. All the qualifications for applying for VA disability are the same as if with any other branch.

For the purposes of determining if a Veteran is eligible for Veterans Disability, a Veteran is defined as “[a] person who served in the active military, naval, or air services, and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.” 

We understand how confusing this can be for anyone to go through alone. So many Veterans turn to Jan Dils Attorneys at Law because we have the knowledge and the ability to navigate through the VA Disability Claims process. Our friendly staff is always willing to answer questions you may have about eligibility, so feel free to give us a call: 1-877-526-3457. Or Tell us about your case.