New Regulations Could Make Getting Veterans’ Disability Benefits Easier

by | January 29th, 2013

January 28, 2013

The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is considering enacting rules that would make it easier for service members who have certain conditions, such as Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) or Parkinson’s disease, to receive benefits. An article from The Manistee News discussed the new regulation and the effects it could have on veterans and military personnel.

The new rule means that a veteran who can establish that he or she sustained a traumatic brain injury in the line of duty would no longer be responsible for proving the injury was the cause of a secondary illness such as Parkinson’s, depression, dementia, or certain hormone deficiencies. Even those with injuries that fall outside of certain guidelines could still see a significant bump in benefits from the new regulation.

As many as 179,000 veterans who have sustained TBIs during their time in the military since the year 2000 may be affected by the new regulation if it is adopted.

The public has until February 8 to comment on the legislation, at which point, it will either be removed from the agenda or advanced to be heard during a legislative session.

The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley recognize how complex veterans assistance programs can be and are hopeful the law will be beneficial to getting veterans the care that they need and deserve.