DISABLED VETERANS QUALIFY FOR SSA EXPEDITED REVIEW
EXPEDITED REVIEW IS AVAILABLE FOR DISABLED VETERANS
Are you a disabled veteran? Did you know that Veterans who are 100% service connected qualify for expedited review with the Social Security Administration? This means that if you file an application for SSD benefits, you may not have to wait so long for a decision. Currently, the normal weight for an initial decision is anywhere from six to eight months. Sometimes it is longer. Therefore, getting a quick review is a benefit to Veterans.
Because you are a Veteran, the SSA is giving your case faster processing. However, you must also have a 100% rating from the Veterans Administration to qualify for quick review. If you need to file a claim for service connected Veterans benefits, then go to the VA website and start your application. The VA rating system is not like the SSA system. Instead, the VA system favors the applicant because doubts about evidence are resolved in favor of the Veteran.
Additionally, the VA system pays benefits for various ratings. For example, even if you aren’t found 100% disabled, you can still receive a rating for physical or mental issues that stem from service. If you receive a 30% rating, for example, then the VA will pay you benefits. It may not be the same amount as someone who receives a 100% rating, but you will still receive benefits. The SSA system doesn’t work like that. In the SSA system it is all or nothing. You must be found incapable of performing all work or your medical condition must meet a listing. There is no such thing as a partial SSD payments.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VA RATING SYSTEM AND SSD BENEFITS
Both Social Security and the VA pay disability benefits to those that qualify. However, the two government programs have very different rules for getting benefits. Under the VA program, there is a rating system. The rating system applies if you have injuries while in service. It is possible to obtain some form of monthly Veterans disability benefits even if you can still work. SSA benefits are not like that.
In order to receive SSDI benefits you must not be able to work due to your medical condition. To receive SSDI benefits from Social Security, you must have a severe medical condition that will last at least one year or will result in death.
The SSA program does not pay benefits as a percentage. You either win benefits or you don’t. The VA system, however, does have a rating and percentage system. Learn about other Veterans Benefit with our guide.
Under the VA system, you may be eligible for 100% service connected benefits by the VA, but that does not guarantee you will receive SSDI benefits. However, the SSA must consider the VA’s rating decision.
Considering a decision does not mean they have to adopt the decision. The SSA rarely adopts the VA’s decision, because how they evaluate your medical condition is so different. However, there are ways to get both veteran benefits and SSDI benefits.
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR DISABLED VETERANS
If you are a Veteran and qualify through the Veteran’s Administration for 100% service connected disability benefits, then you can receive an expedited review of your Social Security case.
Disability benefits through the Veterans Administration and disability benefits through the Social Security Administration require separate applications.
However, Veterans who have already been found to be 100% service connected can receive faster processing of their claim from the Social Security Administration.
The expedited process is used for military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurred. If you are a Veteran, then contact our SSD law firm for free to find out if you qualify for Social Security’s fast review process.
HOW DISABLED VETERANS GET A FASTER REVIEW OF THEIR SSD CASE
If you are a disabled veteran, who has a 100% service connected disability rating from the VA, then you must do certain things to notify the SSA to process your case quickly. Here are the things you must do:
- First, identify yourself as a “veteran rated 100% P&T” when you apply for SSDI benefits. If you apply in person or over the phone, tell the Social Security representative that you are a veteran and the VA rates you at 100%.
- If you apply for SSD benefits online, enter “Veteran 100% P&T” in the “Remarks” section of the application. We also recommend sending a letter to the SSA stating you request an expedited review of your case. You can apply online at the Social Security’s website.
- Provide the SSA with your Veterans Affairs notification letter, which verifies your rating.
- After Social Security identifies you as a veteran rated 100% P&T, they will treat your claim as a high priority. This means they will rush it through the application process.
HOW LONG DOES EXPEDITED REVIEW OF YOUR SSDI CLAIM TAKE?
Once the SSA identifies your case as a high priority, it should take less time for them to process your claim. Normally, it can take up to two years, from filing the application to getting a scheduled hearing, for you to obtain benefits. Your case with the VA may have other delays, but not in the SSA system.
With a faster review, however, the SSA may grant your claim in a matter of months. At a minimum, even if you have to go to a hearing with a Social Security judge, you will have your hearing date sooner than other people who filed for benefits at the same time as you did.
One of the best ways to make sure the SSA does their job is to hire a lawyer with experience. Our legal team has over 60 years of combined experience. We have won over 20,000 SSDI and SSI cases.
We also have experience winning claims for Veterans before the SSA and before the VA. When we file your SSDI application, we will immediately inform the SSA that you are a disabled veteran. Therefore, they will know that your case should receive expedited review.
FACTORS THAT IMPACT THE WAITING TIME WITH THE SSA
The amount of time it takes for the SSA to evaluate your case depends upon certain factors. First, they will look at the nature of your medical conditions. For example, they will evaluate your case under the listing that relates to your physical or mental condition. For example, if you have anxiety, then they will use listing 12.06 to decide your case.
Second, one of the main reasons for delay in cases is it takes a long time to get medical evidence. Your case will go faster if you obtain medical evidence from your doctor. Likewise, if you have other medical sources, like a counselor or a therapist, then you need to submit that medical evidence too.
Sometimes, when the SSA decides to grant a case, it is because they have sent you out for a medical exam with one of their doctors. Even though your doctor supports your Social Security application, the SSA may not accept that medical opinion.
The SSA likes to obtain their own evidence by sending you to a free SSA medical exam. If they send you to see one of their doctors, then make sure you attend the appointment. If you don’t, then they will deny your claim. Also, you can give the SSA doctor your medical records to read. There is no guarantee the doctor will read them, but you can bring them to the appointment. Do not rely on the SSA to provide your records to their doctor, because they usually don’t do it.
DISABLED VETERANS DESERVE A FAST DECISION
At our law firm, we believe disabled Veterans deserve a fast decision from the SSA. If you have service connection VA benefits, then you can still file for SSDI benefits. Most veterans, however, do not qualify for SSI benefits.
The reason most veterans do not get SSI, is their monthly VA benefit excess the SSI resource limit. If you have an amputation and qualify for SSI benefits, then you can receive presumptive disability benefits.
For example, in Utah, the SSI benefit amount is currently $994 per month in 2026. If you get a higher amount of money than this in veterans benefits, then you cannot get SSI benefits. Because your VA benefits is higher than the SSI amount. Therefore, your do not qualify for SSI benefits because of your income.
However, SSDI is available to veterans who work and pay taxes. The amount of your income and assets does not matter in the SSDI program. You can apply for SSDI benefits as long as you are not working. There is no offset of SSDI benefits against service connected VA benefits.
If you are wondering if VA disability benefits affect Social Security benefits, then the answer is yes. But only if you are already getting non-service connected VA benefits. There is an offset of SSDI for those who receive VA benefits that are not connected to service. The offset amount depends upon the amount of money you receive from each government program.
WE CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY CASE
Our legal team understands the law and knows the problems you face when you cannot work. If you hire us to represent you and we do not win your case, then you do not owe us an attorney fee. Once again, you only pay an attorney fee if we win your SSD benefits. Disabled veterans serve our country. Therefore, our firm believes they deserve the best lawyers to help them win benefits. Hire us. We have decades of legal experience.
If you want to find out about our legal team, you are in the right place. Dianna Cannon has 30 years of experience in Social Security law. She also has a license to practice law in 4 states. Andria Summers has 20 years of experience helping our clients on appeal and in court. Brett Bunkall has won hundreds of SSDI and SSI cases in Utah, Idaho and Nevada. We have information for you about Utah SSD benefits and Nevada SSD benefits. Also, you can learn about filing for Idaho SSDI and SSI benefits. Finally, we have information about California SSD benefits and Colorado SSD benefits too.
We represent Veterans in SSDI claims no matter where they live. Although we can’t guarantee we will win your case, we will do our very best to help you through the appeal process. Contact us today. Hire an SSD attorney with the experience to win your case.
