Veterans with TBI May Qualify for Additional Disability Pay, Allsup Reports
Belleville, Ill (PRWEB) January 21, 2014 -- A new rule implemented earlier this month by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) makes it easier for veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to receive additional disability benefits if they have a related secondary condition, according to Allsup, a nationwide provider of SSDI representation, veterans disability appeal and Medicare plan selection services. The qualifying conditions are:
1. Parkinson’s disease
2. Certain types of dementia
3. Depression
4. Unprovoked seizures
5. Certain diseases of the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. These glands regulate weight, appetite, sleep, emotions and other critical body functions.
“The new rule establishes that if a veteran with moderate or severe service-connected TBI is also diagnosed with one of these illnesses, then that illness will be considered service-connected, absent clear evidence to the contrary,” said Allsup VA disability claims agent, Brett Buchanan. “This allows the VA to grant service connection for these secondary conditions without spending time and resources on medical development and opinions.”
According to the VA, the amended rule is based on the 2008 National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, Gulf War and Health, Volume 7: Long-Term Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury, which found “sufficient evidence” to link moderate or severe levels of TBI with the five ailments. The study noted that survivors of brain injury are at particularly increased risk for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).These conditions are often among the most disabling consequences of a TBI.
“The new regulation does set limits on the TBI severity and onset time of the secondary illness,” said Buchanan. “However, if veterans don’t meet the parameters of the new regulation, they can always file a claim establishing direct service connection for these ailments.
“The bottom line—if a veteran feels they might benefit from this new regulation, they should seek advice from an accredited claims agent. TBI is one of the most complex medical conditions facing our veterans today. New research and discovery is driving change on how the VA adjudicates these claims and treats these conditions.”
Almost one-fifth of veterans eligible for VA benefits are permanently disabled and also receive SSDI benefits. For more information on Allsup’s VA disability appeal services, call (888) 372-1190 or visit Veterans.Allsup.com. For more information on SSDI eligibility, call Allsup’s Disability Evaluation Center at (888) 841-2126 or visit Expert.Allsup.com.
ABOUT ALLSUP
Allsup is a nationwide provider of Social Security disability, veterans disability appeal, Medicare and Medicare Secondary Payer compliance services for individuals, employers and insurance carriers. Allsup professionals deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. Founded in 1984, the company is based in Belleville, Ill., near St. Louis. For more information, go to http://www.Allsup.com or visit Allsup on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Allsupinc.
Tai Venuti, Allsup, http://expert.allsup.com, +1 (800) 854-1418 Ext: 68573, [email protected]
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