Veteran’s Voice

George Pickersgill - Gibson Co. Veterans Service Officer, 812-385-4522

One of the services that I am most asked to assist with is the preparation of service-connected (S/C) disability claims. We all know and understand that the profession of arms is a dangerous one and often results in permanent physical and mental scars. It is an inherent part of what we do for our nation

S/C disability compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid for injuries, conditions, or diseases that were incurred in, caused, or aggravated by active duty military service, and is based on degree of severity from 0% to 100%. These disability ratings are typically scaled by symptom(s) and correlate to their impact on one’s ability to work and lead a “normal life”. To be eligible for compensation, a veteran must meet a minimum service requirement based upon service dates and have been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. For veterans holding an undesirable discharge, perhaps we first need to discuss your options relative to a potential characterization upgrade. Compensation falls into one of four primary categories- Direct, Aggravation, Presumptive, and Secondary. A fifth, but highly uncommon, category are non-service-connected injuries/conditions that are a direct result of substandard or improper care at a VA (or VA-contracted) medical facility. Direct conditions are those which were incurred in service or onset while on active duty. It’s important to remember that injuries caused by direct combat action may also qualify for additional benefits. Aggravated conditions, as the name implies, are pre-existing and did not prevent service, but were exacerbated by service. Presumptive conditions are those for which service connection has already been conceded by the government and generally relate to exposure to specifically identified hazards of service. Lastly, Secondary conditions are those that were caused by another already service-connected condition. This compensation is absolutely not welfare or a hand-out, as is so often the attitude of many disabled veterans. The common notion that “someone else needs it more than me”, while noble on the surface, is illogical and faulty thinking. It is imperative that you understand that VA benefits such as disability compensation, and just about any other, are between the individual veteran and the government without regard to what anyone else is doing. If you have been left with lasting physical and/ or mental effects as a result of your service, you deserve this and should not feel embarrassed or guilty for accepting it.

If any of these situations apply to you, contact me and let’s discuss it. Any interaction with the Department of Veterans Affairs, as with just about any other gigantic government department, can be a long, complicated, and aggravating process. Regardless of your experience and/or level of computer savvy, can I please encourage you not to attempt to embark on it alone? Let me offer you the free benefit of years of training and experience in this arena. Call me.

Respectfully, George Pickersgill