Area of Practice

If you are a veteran of the United States Armed Forces and you suffer a service-connected disability, whether physical or psychological, you may be eligible for compensation – even if the disability is only partial. In order to receive benefits, you must have (a) a discharge other than dishonorable and (b) a current diagnosis of the alleged service-connected disability. In addition, you must prove (c) either an incident while in service that caused the disability or the origin of the disability while in service and (d) a medical connection between the current disability and the incident or origin in service. A service-connected disability, whether injury or disease, does not have to be incurred during combat. As long as the disability originated while you were in service, it is service-connected. For example, if you were assaulted while in service, suffered from a toxic exposure, heart disease or some other form of disabling illness you can make a claim for service-connected compensation.

Another VA program pays benefits to disabled veterans whose disability is not service connected. These veterans may be entitled to a non-service-connected pension. In order to receive the pension, the veteran must have served on active duty during a period of war, there must be a total and permanent disability (but the disability does not have to be service-connected) and, like SSI, the pension is income scaled, which means that the veteran may or may not qualify for both a VA pension and Social Security disability.

We are grateful for your faithful service to this country.