VA Disability Myths

  • MYTH.

    Unfortunately, that is not the case. Firstly, veterans may receive treatment for conditions unrelated to service at a VAMC. Secondly, it is not VA physicians but VA raters who decide whether an ailment is service-connected. To determine if a disability is service-connected, three criteria must be met. For further details on these requirements, refer to the "FAQs" section.

  • MYTH.

    Suppose a veteran has a discharge that is not Honorable. In that case, the VA will review the personnel records and STRs to assess the circumstances and determine if the veteran can be considered "Honorable for VA Purposes." The veteran may need to submit additional evidence to present their perspective. The VA will decide whether the veteran is considered "Honorable for VA Purposes." Thus, if they are eligible for VA disability, it's important to note that this does not constitute an official discharge upgrade on the DD-214.

  • MYTH.

    Sadly, VA disability payments for a veteran stop in the month of the veteran's death. However, if the veteran passes away due to a service-connected condition, the spouse and children under 18 can apply for DIC or Dependent Indemnity Compensation.

    Additionally, if a veteran was granted TDIU or 100% disability for at least 10 years before their death, or was granted TDIU or 100% disability from discharge and for at least five years, DIC may apply for dependents.

  • MYTH.

    It's never too late! As long as you are able to show VA the three requirements for service-connection, you can file a claim at any time.

    Also, most presumptive conditions don't have a time limit and you can file for them at any time. There are a few exceptions that require you to be diagnosed within a year after being discharged.

  • MYTH.

    Veterans can submit disability claims for conditions sustained while on active duty, regardless of location or how the injury was sustained (on and off base) - as long as the condition was not the result of misconduct or dishonorable behavior.

    This applies even if a civilian doctor or hospital provided the treatment. It is essential to request records from these civilian healthcare providers. Reservists can also claim injuries sustained during drill, but ensuring these injuries are well-documented is vital.

  • MYTH.

    The VA has strict criteria for hearing loss. As a result, many veterans are denied service connection for hearing loss but are granted it for tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears) because their hearing loss doesn't meet the VA's standards.

    Always remember to carefully read the VA decision letter narrative. The VA often acknowledges that a veteran's hearing loss is likely connected to their military service but still isn't significant enough to qualify for a 0% rating.

  • MYTH.

    For VA purposes, all biological, adopted, and stepchildren under 18 can be claimed as dependents, regardless of who they live with. Additionally, all children under 23 who are in school full-time can be claimed as dependents on your VA disability award.

    One thing to remember is you have to have at least 30% disability to claim dependents.

  • MYTH.

    For the most part, this is not accurate. SSD can be awarded for any injury or condition, regardless of how it occurred. VA disability benefits, however, are exclusively for injuries or conditions sustained during a veteran's active duty service.

    On the other hand, if SSD is awarded for a disability that is also connected to service, it can indeed serve as supplementary evidence. The VA will still require medical records and Compensation & Pension (C&P) examinations.

  • MYTH.

    Veterans who are schedularly rated as 100% disabled permanently and totally disabled by VA can still work. A 100% disability schedular rating means that all of a veteran's disability ratings calculated with VA Math add up to 100%. Additionally, veterans with this rating receive a 10-point preference when applying for government jobs.

    On the other hand, veterans who the VA has deemed Totally Disabled Individual Unemployability (TDIU) are NOT allowed to work or make more than the federal poverty level. One thing to remember is that the VA will only deem you TDIU if you submit a claim for it. They may suggest it but will not automatically label you as TDIU.

  • MYTH.

    The information in VA claims, medical records, and claims files (c-files) is protected under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Even if a veteran applies for government jobs, the VA cannot disclose any of a veteran's claims or medical information to anyone, including other federal agencies. This protection encompasses disability status and the conditions for which a veteran is service-connected.

    When applying for federal jobs and utilizing preference points, veterans are not required to disclose the specific conditions for which they are service-connected, only their disability percentage.