What is the reasoning behind a veteran who was honorable discharged for a medical reason to be denied VA disability?

2024-11-06T14:01:47-05:00

I was injured on active duty and discharged for this reason but have been fighting for years to get disability benefits.

Response by COL Randall C. made Nov 6 at 2024 2:45 PM

2024-11-06T14:45:41-05:00

What type of discharge did you get and when were you separated (your profile doesn't show it).

The reason for the ask is the regulations about administrative discharges for medical reasons have changed over the years as well as the "disability evaluation and separation" route.

For example, if you were separated through a Medical Evaluation Board after 2009, then the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) would have been in effect and a joint DoD/VA disability rating would have been assigned (even if medically separated for a disability rated at less than 30%).

Was the injury related to a preexisting medical condition, as part of something that was considered to be "non-Line of Duty"? Both of those situations would impact on your having a determination of "service-connected".

Basically, there are many reasons why the VA would deny a service-connection to a disability from your active duty time, but you would have to provide much more information (DM me if you don't want to share publicly).

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2024 3:04 PM

2024-11-06T15:04:21-05:00

which disability benefit are you seeking compensation or coverage. coverage comes with it being verified as service connected but not all service-connected conditions rate compensation.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Nov 8 at 2024 2:09 PM

2024-11-08T14:09:49-05:00

How were to discharged? Med Board? If you have your medical records what is the basis of their denial?

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Nov 13 at 2024 4:49 PM

2024-11-13T16:49:39-05:00

Get a VSO to help. I filed my disability through a VSO before I retired - and I think that's what helped me get the rating I got. They did defer some after my initial rating and I had another exam. But I also had a lot of scans, Xrays, documentation etc. After the second exam, my rating went from 80% to 100%.