VA Claims Information

STEP 3: INVESTIGATE "TITLE 38 - PENSIONS, BONUSES AND VETERANS' RELIEF, CHAPTER 1, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, PART 4 - SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES"

You now need to see what ratings could relate to your personal health. You can access online the VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

There probably are other ways of accessing the above Title 38 section, but I find this access works well. You will have to go through a few steps to get to the actual area, but it really isn't that difficult.

  • Click on the address below

    • http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title38/38tab_02.tpl

  • Click on the 0-17 listed in the Part Column. This will take you to the first 17 parts of the Code.
     
  • Click on "Schedule for Rating Disabilities (Part 4)". You should now see a list of sections with a title of
     
    • "Title 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief
    • CHAPTER I DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
    • PART 4 SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES"

  • Click to the left to access the specific section.
     
  • This whole list is well worth examining. You will find how disabilities are defined as well as how they are rated and various compensations available.
     
  • For evaluating what percentage a disability is considered, click on sections that begin with the words "Schedule of ratings."
     
  • Take some time to investigate. Here is where research can help your claim. The more you identify now as related to your personal situation, the easier for requesting benefits on the claim. NOTE: If a disability even remotely touches on your personal situation, do not hesitate to include that in your findings.

    Print out a hard copy of all information pertaining to the disability, whether definition or percentage rating or even how it is evaluated. This will be useful reference information when assembling your claim.