Are You Eligible for Veteran Compensation?
Active Duty Service
• Active military, naval, or air service includes all 6 branches, Reservists, National Guard members, cadets/midshipmen at military academies, and commissioned officers of certain agencies.
• Active service encompasses full-time active duty and both active and inactive training periods for Reservists and National Guard members.
• For National Guard members, active duty includes periods of Federal service.
• Veterans must have been discharged under “conditions other than dishonorable”.
Current Medical Condition
Mere injury during active military service or exposure to toxins isn’t sufficient. There must be evidence of a current chronic disability or persistent symptoms.
In-Service Disease, Injury, or Event
A disease, injury, or event during active military service must have caused or aggravated the current disability.
Medical Link Between In-Service Event and Current Medical Condition ("Nexus")
• There must be a medical link, or medical nexus, connecting the current disability
to the in-service disease, injury, or event.
Please feel free to contact our Atlanta, Georgia based law firm to help answer any questions you may have regarding service-connected VA disability compensation benefits.
Are You Eligible as a Family Member/Survivor of a Deceased Veteran?
Cause of Death/Dependency Indemnity Compensation
If a veteran dies due to a service-connected disability or was rated totally disabled due to a service-connected disability for 10 years or more before death, a surviving spouse or child (under 18 years old) may qualify for ongoing monthly benefits.
Substitution/Accrued Benefits
If a veteran dies while a claim or appeal for service-connected benefits is pending, a surviving spouse, child (under 18 years old), dependent parent, or estate (in specific “Nehmer” cases for Vietnam Veterans) can substitute into the claim/appeal.
Successful cases may result in retroactive/accrued benefits owed to the veteran being paid to the substituted party.