How to File for Military Benefits Claim

Finding your way through the military maze of paperwork and red tape can be discouraging. But it is worth the time and effort when applying for military benefits after an injury. You must follow a few guidelines to reach a positive end result if you want your benefits. The first rule of the military benefit process is not to give up. No matter what happens or what is required, do not stop the process.

Keep all your military records together in a secure place and never give away an original document. If certain documents are required, make a copy and send. Once the original is gone, it is very difficult to replace and in some cases it is lost forever. Do not let your personal file out of your site if someone else is making copies for you. Keep all medical records together. You need copies of all the military medical records and all your civilian medical records when you are ready to file a military claim for benefits.

Contact your local V. A. office for help. You will be assigned a case worker to go over all your paperwork regarding your case and let you know if you have good reason to file a claim. They are trained to follow the right steps and provide all the help possible in order to complete the claim process. The V.A. is for the soldier and his or her rights to benefits. You do not have to worry about the protection of the military reputation. They want to fight for soldiers who have served their time and deserve benefits.

You only have ten years to file a claim. It may sound like a long time, but it is a short time in the military from the time an injuries or health problems occur. If it is past the ten year mark, you still need to check with the V.A. office in case new regulations for filing on certain claims and benefits apply to your personal case.

Once the claim has been filed you will begin to receive forms to fill out and request for documents. Fill out all forms completely and honestly. Do not try to protect your unit, the military, or anyone else during a claim. In other words, do not cut your own throat because of misplaced loyalties. Never send an original document. Once you have the form filled out and a copy of the requested document, make an appointment with your V.A. case worker. Give them all the information to check for mistakes or suggestions and they will mail everything from their office. Do not mail it from your location. It is for the protection of your benefits to let the local V.A. office handle all mail and record the dates mailed and all responses.

You may receive forms requesting information that was filled out on previous forms. It does not matter, fill it out again and again and again. Do this as many times as it takes and always keep a copy of what you filled out. The military is slow to respond in the hopes you will stop the benefit process. If this happens, you may not be able to re apply. Always let the V.A. office handle all problems and advise you on the correct way to fill out a form if you have any questions.

It can take from one to twenty years for a claim to complete. If your claim is denied and you feel you still deserve your benefits, then begin the process again through your V.A. office. Your case worker will fight for you as long as needed. They can advise you of your next step and how to re file any claim. Again, do not give up.

Benefit claims include mental problems from any military function. War Vets and many others during training have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. The military now finds in favor of the diagnosis as a real problem deserving benefits. All injuries during military service are an option for benefits. Once the claim has been filed, you are entitled to back pay to that date. If the process take five years, you will be entitled to five years back pay.

Our Vets have given their lives and health to protect our country. Never feel you do not deserve benefits. They are a right for everyone who has served in the military branches. Check with the local V.A. office regarding any benefits for military claims, health problems, educational resources, or anything available.