Can I Work If I Receive Veterans Disability Benefits?

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Few of the 31,816 veterans living in Greenville County are aware of the fact that they can work while receiving veterans disability benefits. Many of them actually worry that if they work with disability they may lose their benefits.
That is not the case, and one consultation with an experienced VA disability benefits lawyer in Greenville should be enough to clarify the situation. Until then, a brief overview of the disability compensation definition and eligibility criteria may help as well.

Brief Overview of the Terms for Receiving Veterans Disability Benefits in Greenville, SC

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the disability compensation American veterans can receive is a tax-free benefit payable monthly to those who are 10% or more disabled due to disease or injuries that appeared or aggravated during their active duty, inactive duty training (the disability must be the result of an injury, stroke, or heart attack), or active duty for training.
Both physical and mental conditions qualify for receiving VA disability benefits. This means that beneficiaries with mental disabilities may still perform physical work, and beneficiaries with physical disabilities may still perform intellectual work. Also, the definition does not exclude the possibility for a beneficiary to work with disability in Greenville, SC, or anywhere else across the country.
In order to receive disability benefits, veterans have to prove their disability and the connection between their disability and their military service. They also have to undergo a medical evaluation meant to determine their disability rating. This rating can range from 10% to 100% and will reflect the veteran’s ability to use their body if their impairment is physical or their body and mind if their impairment is mental.
The necessity of the disability rating is a clear sign that the veteran does not have to be totally impaired and unable to work in order to receive disability benefits. The benefits aim to compensate for the physical or mental disability the veteran incurred while serving their country.
Indeed, the inability to work may weigh heavily on a veteran’s disability benefits claim, but an experienced VA disability lawyer in Greenville can build a strong case and secure the benefits for their client despite the latter’s choice to work with disability.
There is only one case when the benefits a veteran receives are closely related to their inability to work – when the veteran receives Individual Unemployability Benefits. In such situations, veterans should request a claim evaluation from an experienced VA disability attorney and even help to prepare and to file their claim.

Individual Unemployability Benefits and the Possibility to Work with Disability in Greenville, SC

The Individual Unemployability Benefits program allows veterans to receive the compensation corresponding to the 100% disability rating even though their disability rating is lower. In order to be eligible for the benefits veterans have to meet the following requirements:

  • Having at least one service-related disability with minimum 60% disability rating or two or more service-related disabilities rated at minimum 40% or with a combined rating of minimum 70%.
  • Being unable to pursue and keep substantially gainful employment due to their service-related disabilities.
  • Being able to prove their service-related disability and their inability to secure substantially gainful employment in their community.

As a Greenville VA disability benefits lawyer may explain, even this program’s beneficiaries may work with disability as long as their job does not qualify as substantially gainful employment.
Substantially gainful employment is the usual employment the nondisabled pursue in order to earn their living in their community. For example, the Social Security Administration has set the minimum income limit for 2018 substantially gainful activities at $1,180/month.
Just like those who receive social security benefits may work with disability as long as their monthly income does not exceed $1,180, so can veterans. However, the latter’s chances of obtaining Individual Unemployability Benefits are usually inversely proportional to their earnings.  
Those who work and want to apply for VA benefits and those who receive VA benefits and want to work should seek the advice of an experienced and reputed veterans disability benefits attorney. This way, they can find out exactly where they stand and what steps they need to take in order to make the most of their situation

Choose Robert Surface as Your VA Disability Benefits Lawyer in Greenville, SC

Whether you are receiving veterans disability benefits and you are considering getting a job, or you already have a job and you would like to apply for VA disability benefits, J. Robert Surface can help. He has over 34 years of serving the disabled and he is certified by the Veterans Department to handle claims before their regional offices.
Robert Surface is a dedicated and compassionate lawyer who will answer all questions and do everything in his power to protect the interests of anyone wanting to work with disability, pursue disability benefits, and more. See for yourself by calling 864-3004994 and scheduling a FREE consultation at our office in Greenville, SC!

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