Are you a veteran of the U.S. military who is currently suffering from aplastic anemia or other myelodysplastic syndromes? You may be eligible for disability payments from the VA, regardless of what job you had in the military or which branch you served in. Depending on your circumstances, you may even qualify for additional payments.
However, getting through the claims process and securing the payment you’re entitled to can be challenging for many veterans. If you are starting the claims process and feel overwhelmed, or you’re having issues with a pending claim, contact our law firm as soon as possible. Our lawyers are experienced in disability claims with government entities, and we know what it takes to bring you the funds you deserve. To speak with one of our attorneys, please give us a call and schedule a free case review.
What is Aplastic Anemia?
Aplastic anemia is a blood disorder in which the patient cannot produce enough blood cells. As a result, they are more easily tired and prone to infectious diseases. This condition can develop at any age and cause a variety of health complications, including:
- Frequent infections
- Excessive bleeding from cuts
- Constant nosebleeds and bleeding in the gums
- Constant fatigue
- Frequent headaches / dizziness
- Respiratory issues
- Irregular / rapid heartbeat
If the patient has aplastic anemia along with other blood disorders, they may be diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). This is an extremely serious disorder with no cure, and the purpose of treatment is to slow the progress of the disease and minimize life-threatening complications. Treatment options include blood transfusion, medication to increase blood cell production, and stem cell transplants with bone marrow from a healthy donor.
Your Eligibility for VA Disability Benefits
To qualify for VA disability benefits, you must prove that your illness is a service connected disease, meaning you developed aplastic anemia or MDS due to your service in the military. You may also qualify for disability if you can show that your blood disorder was the result of another service connected illness, such as cancer or kidney disease. With these health conditions, you may develop symptoms of anemia due to their ability to interfere with the production of red blood cells. Finally, you can make a case for benefits by proving that your preexisting aplastic anemia or MDS was worsened by your military service.
For example, we know that countless veterans developed blood disorders like aplastic anemia from exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune military base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. These victims were denied benefits for many years, but that all changed on August 10, 2022 with the signing of the PACT Act by President Biden. If you were at Camp Lejeune during 1953 to 1987 for at least 30 days, you may be entitled to disability payments, along with other damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
However, those who were dishonorably discharged or received a bad conduct status from the military are generally ineligible for a disability claim with the VA. Dishonorably discharged individuals and their family members are also ineligible for compensation from a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.
If you have further questions about your eligibility for VA disability payments, our attorneys will be happy to assist you during a free consultation.
What is the VA Disability Rating System?
To have a sense of how much you can receive from the VA for a diagnosis of MDS or aplastic anemia, you will first need to understand the VA disability rating system. Under this system, you are assigned a percentage rating based on the severity of your illness and how it impacts your earning capacity in a non-military occupation. Disability ratings start at 10% for the least serious cases, and go up in increments of 10 until you reach 100%. If your VA disability rating for myelodysplastic syndromes or aplastic anemia is 70% to 100%, you will receive the highest level of payments. In the next section, we will discuss the amount of money you can receive on a monthly basis depending on your VA disability rating.
How much in VA Benefits can I get if I have Aplastic Anemia or MDS?
The VA assigns a specific amount of funds for each percentage rating, starting at 10% and going all the way up to 100%. As of 2022, your payment for a disability rating of 10% is $152.64. These amounts increase in increments of 10%, with the maximum payment set at $3,332.06 for a 100% rating.
Keep in mind, however, that this is the basic rate for a disabled veteran with no dependents or extenuating circumstances. These factors can increase your payment significantly, but making a case for additional benefits can be quite difficult. To ensure that you receive the full amount of benefits for your disability, please take some time to speak with one of our lawyers.
Additional Compensation for Dependents and other Circumstances
A diagnosis of aplastic anemia and other bone marrow disorders affects not just you, but those who depend on you to provide for them. The VA provides additional funding if you have dependents, including children, a spouse, and up to two parents. That means you can receive an increase in your monthly payments as long as your disability rating is 30% or greater.
Aside from dependents, you may meet other conditions that can qualify you for additional benefits. For example, you can receive payments on top of your standard rate if you have complete loss of hearing, sight, or speech, or you’ve lost one or more limbs due to your service in the military. You can even receive “aid and attendance” if your disease has progressed to the point where you need assistance with basic tasks like walking and bathing.
Consulting one of our lawyers is the best way to determine if you are entitled to extra compensation from the VA. We look forward to fighting for your rights and ensuring that you and your loved ones are taken care of.
Free Second Opinion
If you’re having problems with your current lawyer or law firm, we may be able to help with a free second opinion. Maybe it’s taking too long to settle your claim, or you’re not happy with the lack of communication from your attorney. Due to these and other issues, you may have thought about switching your lawyer, which you can do at any point in the legal process. But it’s a big decision that you shouldn’t make without advice from an experienced attorney. That’s precisely what we can provide here at Normandie, during a free, no-obligation review of your disability case.
If you’d like to change over to one of our attorneys, we can handle the entire transfer process from start to finish. However, the consultation is free even if you don’t switch to our law firm, so there’s nothing to lose by scheduling a free second opinion.
Contact Normandie Law Firm
When you are diagnosed with a blood disorder, compensation is essential to managing your symptoms and ensuring the best quality of life for you and your family. As a veteran, benefits may be available to you, but the claims process can be difficult to navigate on your own. Have you been recently diagnosed with aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, or another blood disorder from serving in the U.S. military? Did you receive a denial of your claim or an insufficient percentage rating for your disability?
Our lawyers have the skill and experience you need in order to succeed in a disability claim with the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs. We also offer a Zero fee guarantee, since you shouldn’t have to worry about the cost of legal representation. The only way we get paid is by winning your case, so if we don’t recover your payment, you won’t be responsible for any of our fees.
A veteran’s disability rights attorney is waiting to speak with you. Contact our office and schedule a free case evaluation.
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