“Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country and it is only right that we ensure they have timely access to the disability benefits they may be eligible for and deserve.” It is a sentiment that is likely shared by many readers of our Saint Louis Social Security disability law blog, but the words were actually spoken by Acting Commissioner of Social Security Carolyn Colvin in a recent press release.
The press released concerned a topic that we touched on a few weeks ago in our SSD blog. We wrote about the SSA announcement that certain veteran’s disability claims would be fast-tracked beginning this month and that an expedited decision would be issued.
The Social Security Administration wants to remind veterans that this process involves only claims in which the Department of Veterans Affairs has already issued a 100 percent disability compensation rating. The SSA also wants to remind veterans that this process would result in an expedited decision not a guaranteed approval.
What about the rest of the veterans with a disability that may fall under the 100 percent rating? These claims will be processed as they normally would. In order to meet eligibility requirements, the veteran must have received an honorable discharge as well as have a limited income.
Like normal Social Security disability benefits, a veteran must have earned a certain amount of working credits for eligibility; only for veteran’s claims, it is their days of active service that matter. A veteran that has served a minimum of 90 days up to 24 months with at least one day served during a period of war will be considered eligible, as noted by a reference website called Military.
Veterans that have more in depth questions based on their individual situation in Missouri should sit down with a St. Louis SSD attorney that has extensive experience with veteran’s claims.
Source: St. Clair News-Aegis, “Veterans’ Corner: Social security options for veterans,” March 3, 2014
