Former service members in Missouri and across the country might think that suffering injuries while in combat and returning home unable to work will yield Social Security disability benefits for injury. However, in some cases, people who are clearly disabled are having trouble getting approved and maintaining their Social Security disability benefits. When a person has injuries from military service, it is important to understand how to apply for and receive SSD benefits for injury. If there is a denied claim, it can be appealed.
One veteran has been having this exact problem. In May, a former member of the U.S. Army who was injured by an explosive device while serving in Afghanistan in 2010 was told by the Social Security Administration that he was no longer disabled and his disability payments were stopped. Since then, he has fallen behind on all his bill payments and even his electricity was cut off. Because of that, the robotic prosthetic leg he uses could not be charged. The electricity was restored, but he is still having problems due to the SSA’s decision.
After the explosion, he spent two years in a Washington D.C. hospital receiving treatment, rehabilitative therapy, surgeries and getting his prosthesis. He had been receiving SSD benefits until the benefits were stopped. He did not know why. He spoke to members of congress and was receiving help with his appeal, but the payments have not restarted. The SSA informed him that it would take time for the issue to be resolved. He is still waiting as the case moves forward.
This case seems egregious, but it is an example of what the SSA can do with a claimant. Even in cases in which it appears obvious that the claimant should continue receiving benefits, there are times when they will stop. People who are confronted with this issue must remember their rights to protest and file an appeal to get the benefits restored. Anyone who has suffered an injury and either had the claim denied before receiving benefits or had the benefits stop should be aware of how to appeal the case with assistance from an experienced attorney.
Source: rapidcityjournal.com, “For disabled vet, battle rages on as feds deny disability payments,” Tom Griffith, July 30, 2017
