The US Department of Veteran Affairs pays tax-free compensation to veterans in the form of Disability Compensation. It also provides benefits to a surviving spouse, parent or child through Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. But a good Missouri asbestos attorney can make life easier to cope with and get you and your loved ones the justice and financial compensation which is your rightful due. Disability compensation is a benefit for veterans who have sustained either diseases (such as mesothelioma) or injuries during the course of active service. Even if the disease occurs once service is over, the veteran is entitled to compensation. But to negotiate the legal complications, you need to secure the services of an exceptional Missouri mesothelioma lawyer. This is where choosing the right legal firm can make a difference while filing the veteran's claim.
Other benefits provided by the US VA department include Special Monthly Compensation for veterans whose disabilities require aid. VA also offers benefits pertaining to housing, insurance, hospitalization services, automobile allowance, dental convalescence and clothing among others. A good Missouri mesothelioma lawyer can get you the outcome you seek. Choose a top Missouri asbestos attorney for the best results.
Eligibility to File a VA Claim
Eligibility to file a VA claim is based on compensatory benefit and is associated with a disability that is connected to the service, and has been incurred during the course of active service to the nation. Onset of the disease, such as mesothelioma is directly equated with the asbestos exposure while on active military duty is therefore a condition for veterans to be eligible to file the claim.
Key requirements other than this include:
Veterans should have been discharged without dishonorable discharge.
Veterans have been diagnosed by a medical professional with a disease directly pertaining to specific asbestos exposure that occurred while actively serving the US military. Specific occupations undertaken by the veterans while contracting the disease may include:
- Shipyard work
- Insulation work
- Demolition
- Mining
- Carpentry
- Construction
Veterans in Iraq or third world countries may have been exposed to asbestos when the older buildings were filled with hazardous asbestos material, to which they were then exposed while on active duty.
There are several different types of veteran claims that a service person can file. Asbestos related mesothelioma is a post service disability. The kind of claim made involves based on location, terms and conditions of service. Mesothelioma generally falls under Exposure to Hazardous Materials under Post Service Disabilities claims.
Evidence required by the department to assess if the claim has merit involves the following points. Firstly, the veteran must exhibit the proof that asbestos exposure did occur during active military service and proof may comprise documentation of the veteran's military occupation and/or location of service. The soldier must show that he was directly exposed to asbestos during service.
The VA claims process is a course of action carried by the US department of Veteran Affairs to assess your eligibility to receive the compensation. For successful claims processing, the following steps must be observed:
- Claims received
- Placed Under Review
- Evidence Gathering
- Review of Evidence
- Preparation for Decision
- Pending Decision Approval
- Preparation for Notification
- Receipt of Claim Decision/Award Packet
If the department makes the decision that the veteran should receive compensation, an effective date is assigned for the claim to be made. This is the date when the benefits will be paid. Several factors influence this date. Hire the best legal help to get you through this lengthy VA claims process. With an illness that is chronic and requires emotional and physical resilience, you need to save your strength. Opt for an experienced Missouri asbestos attorney for the best outcome. A skilled Missouri mesothelioma lawyer can get you justice which is timely and in your favor.