How do I prove I have a service-connected disability?

Proving that you have a service-connected disability can be a complicated process. Fortunately, the state of Virginia has set up a system to help veterans do it. First, you must provide evidence of your service in the military. This can include things such as discharge papers, official service records, or letters from former commanding officers. Second, you must provide evidence of a qualifying disability. This can include medical records which demonstrate the presence of the disability, reports from treatment providers, or statements from witnesses who have seen changes in the veteran’s lifestyle or functioning that were caused by the disability. Finally, you must show that there is a causal connection between the veteran’s service and the disability. This includes linking the veteran’s activity during service to the disability, proving that the disability or its symptoms appeared during or shortly after the veteran’s service, or providing evidence of an event during service that could have caused the injury or its symptoms. Once all this evidence is collected, it is submitted to the Virginia Department of Veterans Services or a local department, which will decide on whether or not the veteran is eligible for benefits. Qualifying for a service-connected disability is a lengthy process, but it is worth the effort to receive the healthcare assistance veterans need.

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