Disability benefits are monthly payments that are issued by the VA to veterans who were injured by or developed an illness from serving in the U.S. military. Veterans can also receive compensation if their military service worsened a preexisting medical condition. One disease that is particularly common among former military members is cancer, which occurs when cells in various parts of the body grow out of control. This excessive growth can form into lumps known as tumors and spread to other parts of the body. When this happens, there is severe damage to the way your body functions, which is why the disease is so dangerous.
If you are a U.S. veteran who developed cancer during or after serving in the military, you may be eligible for monthly disability payments from the VA. However, many veterans are denied the payments they deserve, or end up with an insufficient benefit amount. The attorneys of Normandie Law Firm are more than ready to represent you in a VA disability claim for cancer or any other illness that’s connected to your military service. Please give us a call and schedule a free consultation to learn about your rights and legal options.
Types of Cancer that Qualify for VA Disability Benefits
Cancer can occur in just about any area of the human body, as it’s a disease that affects the cells. To file a claim for VA benefits, you will need to prove that your illness is service connected, meaning you developed one of the following cancers from being in the military:
- Bile duct cancer
- Brain cancer
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Gallbladder cancer
- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia cancer
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Multiple myeloma cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Sinus cancer
- Soft tissue sarcoma (soft tissue cancer)
- Spinal cancer
- Thyroid cancer
Risk factors, including genetics and lifestyle choices can increase your likelihood of developing cancer. But cancer can also be caused by environmental issues, like exposure to toxic chemicals. One example is the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune during the years of 1953 to 1987. During this time, the groundwater at the military base was contaminated by tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC), trichloroethylene (TCE), vinyl chloride, and benzene. Many people that lived or worked at Camp Lejeune were later diagnosed with cancer. As of August 10, 2022, these victims were given the right to sue the U.S. government for monetary damages and file a claim for disability benefits with the VA. One of our attorneys can assist you with a VA benefits claim if you were at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987.
Regardless of how you developed one or more forms of cancer, the key is to establish a connection between your diagnosis and your job / duty in the U.S. military. This can be challenging to prove, which is why it’s important to have a qualified attorney by your side. We have the experience to build a compelling case and fight for the maximum payment you are entitled to.
Disqualifying Factors for Disability Benefits from the VA
According to the VA, certain factors will disqualify a veteran from disability benefits. These include:
- Evidence that the claimant’s cancer was caused by something other than active duty in the U.S. military.
- Evidence showing that the cancer was due to the claimant’s own negligence or misconduct.
- Being dishonorably discharged or having a bad conduct status.
If you are uncertain about your eligibility for a cancer diagnosis VA disability claim, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We can answer all your questions and advise you of your available legal options.
How the VA Disability Rating System Works
When you submit a disability claim to the VA, you will be assigned a rating based on the severity of your cancer and its impact on your earning potential. The lowest rating you can receive is 10%, and the highest rating is 100%. Those with active cases of service connected cancer should receive a VA disability rating of 100%. However, it’s essential that your paperwork is filled out properly, and that you include detailed, compelling evidence to show the extent of your injuries. Otherwise, you could end up with a lower rating and miss out on the full value of your disability benefits.
How much in VA Benefits can I get if I have Cancer?
Your VA disability rating for cancer is the most important factor in how much compensation you will receive on a monthly basis. Payments for a VA disability claim start at $152.64 for a disability rating of 10%. The ratings are set at increments of 10%, and the highest payments are reserved for veterans with a rating of 70 to 100%. It’s worth noting that the difference between each percentage level is significant. For example, the basic monthly rate for a cancer diagnosis rating of 90% is $1,998.52. But if your cancer is rated at 100%, your payment jumps to $3,332.06. Thus, it’s imperative to work with an attorney who can secure the highest rating for your disability claim.
Qualifying Circumstances for Additional Payments
Cancer directly affects your ability to go to work and provide for your family members, such as your spouse, children, and parents. You can request additional compensation for these dependents if your VA disability rating for cancer is at 30% or higher. Further payments may be available for the following issues:
- Amputation or loss of function in your limbs
- Complete blindness, or loss of sight or hearing
- Loss of reproductive organs (or loss of function)
- Loss of breast tissue (for female cancer patients only)
- Payments if you require an aide to help you with eating, walking, bathing, and other daily tasks.
Sadly, most veterans have trouble meeting the burden of proof for additional benefits, and give up on seeking the funds they deserve. Our law firm has experienced attorneys who can gather the necessary evidence and ensure that you are fairly compensated by the VA.
Schedule a Free Second Opinion
The lawyers of Normandie offer free second opinions if you’re not happy with your current attorney. Are you concerned about your lawyer’s lack of communication or feel like they’re lacking in experience? Do you disagree with your lawyer’s assessment of your disability amount or feel like it’s taking too long to settle your case? If so, please speak with one of our attorneys right away. During a free consultation, we can provide an objective review of the work that’s been done on your case. If your suspicions are correct and you’re interested in switching to one of our lawyers, we can take care of the transfer process at no cost to you.
No matter what you decide, our second opinions are completely free, so please take the chance of giving us a call.
The Veteran’s Disability Rights Lawyers of Normandie
With everything that cancer takes away from you, it’s essential to start receiving the funds you are entitled to from the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Sadly, far too many veterans go without the assistance they deserve due to complications with the filing process. Even if your claim is approved, the VA may assign an unjust rating for your disability, which will significantly decrease the amount you can receive each month.
We have lawyers experienced in the recovery of disability payments from the federal government, and we are up for the challenge of fighting for your rights. Our law firm operates under a Zero fee guarantee, so we don’t make a single penny unless you do. In essence, the only way we get paid is by winning your case. In the event your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t be responsible for any of our expenses. If you’re ready to learn more about your rights as a disabled veteran, contact our office and schedule a free consultation.
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