Veterans with a service-connected injury, illness, or medical condition have plenty of questions about the available disability benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The first question that many veterans ask is — who is eligible for VA disability benefits? VA Benefits Attorneys is a law practice that specializes in veteran disability claims and serves as a valuable legal resource for military veterans across the United States, and we are here to answer your questions.

What Is the Eligibility Criteria for VA Disability Benefits?

The VA disability claims process can be complicated if you are unfamiliar with it and many veterans come to VA Benefits Attorneys with questions. VA disability provides monthly financial assistance with tax-free compensation for veterans who have a service-connected injury, illness, or medical condition. Before you apply for VA disability benefits, it is important to understand the eligibility criteria and we hope that this breakdown will help answer this important question for you and your family. 

Am I Eligible for VA Disability Benefits?

To be eligible for VA disability compensation and benefits, veterans must meet specific criteria and a few requirements. Here is a breakdown of eligibility criteria for disability benefits:

Veterans MUST meet BOTH pieces of the below criteria:

• You as the veteran must have a current illness or injury — also defined as a medical condition — that impacts the body or mind and
• You as the veteran must have served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty for training.

Veterans MUST meet at least ONE of the pieces of criteria below:

• You as the veteran became sick or injured while actively serving in the military and can link your condition to this specific service-connected illness or injury — known as an In-Service Disability Claim.
• You as the veteran had an illness or injury prior to your military service that was made worse while serving in the military — known as a Pre-Service Disability Claim.
• You as the veteran have a disability that is connected to your active duty service that did not appear until after you left the military — known as a Post-Service Disability Claim.

What Are Presumptive Conditions for Veterans?

Veterans may also be eligible for VA disability benefits due to a presumptive condition. This is a medical condition that is automatically assumed to be connected to your military service based on when and where you served. Veterans with a medical condition that is defined as presumptive do not need to prove that it is directly connected to their military service — as long as they meet basic service requirements for that medical condition.

READ MORE: What Injuries Are the Easiest to Claim for VA Disability? 

Who is eligible for VA disability benefits? VA Benefits Attorneys can help answer this question and more about VA disability claims with this breakdown of eligibility criteria for disability compensation. Contact VA Benefits Attorneys today for more information on your disability claim!