Members of the armed forces put their health and safety on the line so the rest of us can continue to enjoy our freedoms. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that many of our veterans return home with not only mental health issues but physical impairments as well. Many of these individuals end up receiving a 100% Permanent & Total (P&T) compensating rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These individuals may qualify for expedited processing of their Social Security Disability (SSD) claims.
Veterans can qualify for both SSD and VA disability; however, receiving the former isn’t guaranteed. The qualifying criteria for these two programs are different.
An applicant for SSD must have an impairment that doctors expect to affect their ability to carry out any substantial work for a year or more or is terminal. Should you qualify for both VA disability and SSD, then one shouldn’t affect the other in terms of how much you receive in benefits.
If the VA has given you a 100% P&T rating, you qualify for your SSD claim’s expedited processing. You’ll want to make sure you’re clear in informing the Social Security Administration (SSA) of this designation by either writing or typing it on your application or letting the representative know over the phone.
You’ll also want to provide the SSA with any documentation the VA gives you showing your rating. The claims reviewer will automatically fast-track your application’s review and the appeals process when they see this designation- even if you live abroad.
Veterans often ask about processing times for their SSD applications. Factors that may impact how long it takes for the SSA to process your request include the nature of your impairment, how well-documented your disability is and whether your reviewer requires you to submit to a medical exam.
Although you may think that applying for and receiving SSD benefits would be a slam dunk if you have a 100% P&T rating from the VA, that’s not necessarily the case. Each government agency has its qualifying criteria to receive benefits. A Social Security Disability attorney can review your Oklahoma City case and advise you how they can help you receive the benefits you deserve.