I’m thrilled to report a positive development in veteran disability claims! Hats off to the Social Security Administration (SSA) for giving our veterans a place in the front of the line. That’s where they should be.
Beginning March 17, the SSA will immediately begin fast-tracking paperwork for veterans who are rated 100 percent disabled by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Under the new process, the SSA will treat these veterans’ applications as high priority and issue expedited decisions just as it does for disability claims filed by troop members who become disabled for any reason while on active duty.
“We have reached another milestone for those who have sacrificed so much for our country and this process ensures they will get the benefits they need quickly,” Carolyn W. Colvin, acting Social Security commissioner, said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon by the White House.
The decision by the SSA does not affect the disability claims backlog that the VA has been dealing with for years, as these claims are processed separately and by different entities. Rather, it is for veterans who are applying for SSA benefits in addition to VA disability compensation.
Expediting Social Security disability claims processing for veterans does not guarantee approval for SSA disability benefits; however, a 100% rating from the VA is powerful evidence that a veteran meets the SSA’s eligibility requirements. SSA disability benefit applicants must show that they suffer from a disability that prevents them from working, and that the disability is expected to last a year or more.
A claim before the SSA may also be simplified for a veteran who previously applied for disability compensation benefits through the VA. Not only are the processes similar, but the veteran’s VA claims file will already contain medical records directly relevant to proving an SSA claim (And helpful tip – under statute, a veteran is entitled to one free copy of his VA file. Just know that it may take months for it to arrive once requested).
It is up to the veteran, not the VA, to inform the SSA that he qualifies for the expedited processing. The veteran must inform the SSA that he has a permanent and total VA disability rating of 100 percent. He must also provide proof of the rating (such as by including a copy of the rating letter).
Access the SSA’s page on this process here. To learn more about applying for SSA benefits and to start your application online, go to: http://www.ssa.gov/pgm/disability.htm.
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