THE VETERANS' PRESS: Am I eligible for VA disability compensation?
You may be eligible for VA disability benefits or compensation if you meet both of these requirements.
Both of these must be true:
• You have a current illness or injury (known as a condition) that affects your mind or body, and
• You served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training
And at least 1 of these must be true:
• You got sick or injured while serving in the military — and can link this condition to your illness or injury (called an inservice disability claim), or
• You had an illness or injury before you joined the military — and serving made it worse (called a preservice disability claim), or
• You have a disability related to your active-duty service that didn’t appear until after you ended your service (called a postservice disability claim)
Presumptive conditions
For some conditions, we automatically assume (or “presume”) that your service caused your condition. We call these presumptive conditions.
If you have a presumptive condition, you don’t need to prove that your service caused the condition. You only need to meet the service requirements for the presumption.
Find out more about these categories of presumptive conditions:
• A chronic (long-lasting) illness that appears within 1 year after discharge
• An illness caused by contact with contaminants (toxic chemicals) or other hazardous materials
• An illness caused by your time spent as a prisoner of war (POW)
Who’s covered?
• Veterans
• Qualified dependents
How do I file a claim?
You can file a claim online now. You can also file by mail, in person, or with the help of a trained professional.
What conditions are covered by these benefits?
You may be able to get VA disability benefits for conditions like these:
• Chronic (long-lasting) back pain resulting in a current diagnosed back disability
• Breathing problems resulting from a current lung condition or lung disease
• Severe hearing loss
• Scar tissue
• Loss of range of motion (problems moving your body)
• Ulcers
• Cancers or other conditions caused by contact with toxic chemicals or other dangers
You may also be able to get VA disability benefits for conditions like these:
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Depression
• Anxiety
Get more information
Go to our Compensation 101 videos to learn more about how VA disability compensation works:
Compensation 101: What is disability compensation? (YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3RodE0nGFc
Compensation 101: What is service connection? (YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4vKqUlrdys
For more information, go to VeteransHelpnet.com and see the “How can I get Help?” section or contact Spokane County Regional Veterans Service Center at 509-477-3609.