What To Do After Winning A VA Claim

What should veterans do after winning a disability compensation claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs? There are several areas to consider, but first and foremost, you should remember that the VA claims process is always subject to revision and change based on current or future legislation, procedural updates, funding issues, etc.

Remember, if you win a VA claim and have no intent to pursue further action with the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are different issues to consider than for someone who has more business to conduct with the VA.

VA Healthcare Claims: What You Need To Know Going In

The VA claims process begins with an initial claim for compensation for service-connected medical issues, ideally filed during final out-processing, though that’s not always possible. Once filed, the VA will make a determination and notify you, typically within a few months, though wait times vary depending on several factors.

If you accept the VA’s decision, the steps in this article on direct deposit, payment monitoring, and benefits apply to you. If you don’t, you have the right to appeal, and many veterans have won on appeal. Either way, winning a VA claim comes with important next steps worth knowing.

Double Check The Vital Details Of Your VA Claim Once It Has Been Awarded

This is an extremely important area: upon receiving your first update on the status of your VA medical claim, you will need to double-check the disability rating percentage you have been awarded AND the award date.

Use our VA disability calculator to verify your expected compensation matches what the VA has awarded.

The actual date of your claim decision will play an important part in calculating any back pay you may be entitled to for VA compensation (if there is pay to be claimed), and if the dates or the percentages have errors, you will need to apply to have them corrected as soon as possible. The correct effective date of your award is extremely important.

Sign Up For Direct Deposit After Winning A VA Claim

Set up direct deposit as soon as your claim is awarded. You can do this directly through VA.gov or by calling 1-800-827-1000. Paper checks are strongly discouraged since they’re far more likely to arrive late, get lost, or be difficult to trace if something goes wrong. Electronic payments are safer, easier to track, and simpler to dispute if a payment doesn’t arrive on time.

Once direct deposit is set up, check VA disability pay dates so you know exactly when to expect your monthly compensation.

Consider Filing A New VA Claim For An Increase In Benefits

Because many VA processes can be time-consuming, it’s possible for some claimants to experience a worsening of their medical conditions in the meantime. Your VA claim payments are hypothetically based on the most up-to-date information at the time, but you should file a claim for an increase in benefits if your medical issues are getting worse. You can file these claims on the VA official site.

Sign Up For VA Health Care

You may have no intention of using VA health care options today, but as veterans get older, the VA health care system offers more benefits that can be useful if the veteran has a medical condition that requires in-home care, trained services provided on an outpatient basis, respite care, palliative care, etc.

The earliest days of your retirement or separation from military service may not find you needing as much care as you may down the road. Those who do choose to enter the VA health care system immediately should apply as soon as their claim has been awarded, if not sooner.

Explore Your Other Veteran Medical And Non-Medical Benefits

There are a variety of options for veterans in the VA health care system, but for those who have VA disability ratings, there are extended options, including insurance, career assistance, transition assistance, and specific help with certain conditions the VA offers programs for (such as hearing aids, support animals, and other benefits).

Non-medical VA benefits to explore include Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E). This benefit is intended for those with service-connected medical conditions that interfere with their ability to find or keep a job. VR&E, also known as Chapter 31 benefits, can help eligible veterans explore their employment options and identify any required training. In some cases, your family members may also be eligible for certain benefits.

Explore State Veteran Benefits

A VA disability rating can unlock a range of state-level benefits depending on where you live — including property tax breaks, state home loan programs, reduced license plate fees, college tuition assistance, and state-level job resources similar to VR&E.

Certain disabled veterans may also find that education benefits extend to spouses or dependent children. Each state sets its own eligibility requirements, so contact your state Department of Veterans Affairs — sometimes called a State Bureau of Veterans Affairs — for the most accurate information on what’s available to you.

One important note: your state veterans affairs office is separate from the federal VA, though it may administer similar programs or help you access federal benefits.

Know Your Benefits

It’s not enough to get a VA disability rating and a payment amount; you need to know what your VA benefits offer you as a VA-rated disabled veteran including the availability of life insurance, healthcare options from the VA, when you may be entitled to be given a temporary 100% disability rating (this is possible in certain cases) and the circumstances under which you may apply for that rating.

Another area to know is how the Department of Veterans Affairs handles Cost-of-Living adjustments to your benefits payments each year. This adjustment won’t seem like much at first, but you could, over time, watch your VA payments increase by as much as $25 to $50 per month over a long enough period of time.

Again, these increases will be gradual each year and will likely represent single-digit percentage adjustments.

Understanding your rating is just the start; see current VA disability rates to know exactly what your percentage means in dollars.