Veterans Disability Benefits: Military Service in Vietnam

By Douglas I. Friedman of Friedman Law Firm, P.C.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Many working veterans in their late 50s and early 60s served on the ground in VietNam. These veterans are entitled to VA disability benefits for many common diseases, such as diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and various cancers, no matter how long after military service the diseases occur.

For example, assume that a VietNam veteran is healthy for forty years after military service, but then in 2013 the veteran is diagnosed with diabetes. In spite of the passing of forty years, the veteran is entitled to VA disability benefits.

In addition to paying benefits for disabling conditions, VA disability also allows for partial benefits. So, the veteran in the above example would be entitled to benefits even though the diabetes does not cause total disability. In other words, the veteran is entitled to benefits even if the veteran is able to work.

There is no time limit for applying for these benefits; a claim for VA disability can be filed years after military service, and years after the medical condition arises. But benefits usually are paid only from the date of filing.

If you have any questions about this post or any other VA disability issue, feel free to contact me.

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