Chronic Condition Claims

If you suffer from a chronic condition which is connected to your service in the United States military, you may qualify for entitlement to service connection and receive veterans’ disability compensation. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides benefits to former servicemembers who suffered injuries during active duty that now affect their civilian lives.

Both physical and mental impairments can qualify you for these benefits, especially if your condition is chronic. However, it is important to provide precise information on any application for benefits, as a simple mistake is likely to lead to a denial from VA.

VetLaw’s team of compassionate lawyers can help you pursue chronic condition claims and collect veterans’ disability compensation. They can work to investigate the cause of your condition, trace its origin back to your time on active duty, and argue that it negatively affects your everyday life.

Common Chronic Conditions in Veterans

Chronic conditions affect thousands of US military veterans. Many of these conditions are so commonly reported that the VA sometimes assumes eligibility for benefits, under certain criteria. Examples of presumptive conditions for certain veterans include:

• Gulf War Syndrome, including IBS, chronic fatigue syndrome, or fibromyalgia, among others
• Diseases related to exposure to Agent Orange, including but not limited to diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and many cancers
• Cancers and other illnesses related to service at Camp Lejeune
• Conditions related to time as a prisoner of war
• ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Those who do not suffer from an automatically qualifying impairment may still pursue chronic condition claims with the guidance of a VA-accredited attorney. Many cancers, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and mental health problems are chronic and may be traceable to active duty.

Pursuing Benefits for a Chronic Condition

Serving in the military comes with inherent risks. Whether a person serves in combat, a logistics position, or an administrative role, they are vulnerable to sustaining injuries.

The first step to filing a successful chronic condition claim and proving entitlement to service connection is demonstrating that the injury occurred while on active duty. A service-related injury would qualify regardless of whether it was sustained in combat, training accidents, or in an office setting.

However, not all service-connected conditions automatically qualify a veteran for disability benefits. A former servicemember’s impairment must hinder their ability to perform daily tasks for them to be awarded compensation. A doctor’s note and service records can help indicate the chronic nature of a veteran’s condition. In some cases, a medical nexus opinion may be needed.

Finally, only veterans who are discharged under honorable conditions can collect disability benefits from the VA. Providing a DD-214 form can help meet this requirement.

Ask an Attorney about Chronic Condition Claims Today

Chronic diseases or physical conditions may be the result of long-term exposure to harsh weather, toxic substances, or environmental hazards in the military. Fortunately, former servicemembers can file chronic condition claims to receive compensation for their losses.

If you suffer from a chronic condition which affects your daily activities that is the result of your active duty service, you should consider reaching out to VetLaw’s team of attorneys for legal advice.

A well-versed and compassionate lawyer can help you determine your eligibility for disability compensation from the VA. They can also help if you have already submitted an application and received a denial of benefits. Contact our firm immediately to give yourself the best chance for success.