With Veterans Day coming up on November 11, we would like to salute our troops who have helped defend this country, putting their lives on the line for our freedoms.
Unfortunately, many Veterans suffer from disabilities following their service time, making it impossible for them to work. Many of these outstanding men and women are entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and they may not know it.
Keep in mind, you can collect SSDI and veteran’s disability benefits at the same time. However, there are differences within each agency’s system when it comes to defining disabilities.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses an “all or nothing” approach when it comes to determining whether a person qualifies for SSDI, while the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses a structured percentage system to determine if someone is disabled, meaning a veteran can be 50, 60 or even 100 percent disabled.
This means that the SSA has a more rigid approach when it comes to defining disabilities—however, if you are truly disabled and unable to work, you can still apply for benefits.
Additionally, it should be noted that the SSA has an expedited claims process for former military members. To qualify for the expedited process, a veteran must inform the SSA that he or she has a 100 percent Permanent and Total disability compensation rating and provide it with a copy of the VA Notification Letter as proof of his or her disability rating.
It has been estimated that about 10 percent of all veterans who receive VA benefits have been deemed fully disabled.
How Can I Talk to an Attorney about my Disability?
We suggest visiting our Social Security FAQ page if you have questions about this process. Additionally, we have a page dedicated to SSDI and veterans.
For more information, you can always call us. We are proud of our veterans and have had a number of clients who have suffered service-related injuries or illnesses, leaving them unable to work. Let us help you.
Troutman & Troutman, P.C. – Tulsa Social Security disability attorneys