VA Disability Lawyer Houston TX
Coast Guard Benefits
If you served in the U.S. Coast Guard, you are legally entitled to a wide variety of VA disability benefits. In fact, any member of the Coast Guard, both former and current, can receive benefits for education and training, employment services, home loans and housing, life insurance, pensions, and more. When determining if a Coast Guard Veterans is eligible for benefits, the simple definition is “[a] person who served in the active military, naval, or air services, and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.”
If you served in the U.S. Coast Guard and you were not discharged honorably, there should be no delays or issues when receiving the VA disability benefits you rightfully deserve. However, the process can be incredibly complex and notoriously slow. For comprehensive legal consultation and representation in your Houston Regional VA Office. Call the Houston veterans disability lawyers at Herren Law today to get the legal you need and receive your benefits.
Eligibility for Coast Guard Veterans Benefits
When evaluating a claim, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) relies on military service records as one of the most substantial pieces of evidence. These records often include the original military service record and a copy issued by the military service with the certification that it is a true document or a copy submitted by an accredited agent, attorney, or service representative with special training.
Furthermore, there is no minimum length of service for claimants who enlisted before 1980; claimants who enlisted after 1980, however, must have enlisted for a “full period” for which the Coast Guard service member was called or ordered to active duty. If the claimant served less than the full period, then he/she must have endured 24 months of continuous active duty. There are several exceptions to this rule. For example, service-connected disability compensation benefits don’t have a length of service requirement.
To show service connection, Coast Guard veterans will need evidence of the following:
- Physical or mental disability
- Link between the disability and the event, disease, or injury in military service
- Discharge or separation papers (DD-214 or equivalent)
- Service treatment records and supporting statements
- Private medical provider records or hospital reports
Disability Compensation
To receive VA disability compensation, which includes tax-free monthly benefits, the claimant must have been disabled, suffered a medical condition, or injured during active service with the Coast Guard. Additionally, this includes pre-existing conditions that were aggravated during active service. Some examples of eligible conditions or injuries include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Injuries from exposure to toxic chemicals or hazardous materials
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Individual unemployability
- Dependency and indemnity compensation
The monetary compensation amount for a Coast Guard veteran depends on a myriad of factors, ranging from the severity of the disability to the amount of children or dependents.
Contact Herren Law For Your Veterans Disability Benefits Today
Whether applying for the first time or appealing a denial from your local Texas VA office, it is essential to acquire the services of an experienced VA disability attorney. At Herren Law, we have helped hundreds of Coast Guard veterans and servicemembers secure their rightfully due benefits. We also understand how complicated it is to successfully navigate the VA disability claims process, and we are willing to work alongside you every step of the way.
For a free consultation with the VA disability attorneys at Herren Law, contact our Houston law office today at (800) 529-7707.
