I can understand how downhearted you are feeling after being diagnosed with lung cancer on top of other service related health complications you may also have. Naturally, you may be concerned about how this will affect your VA benefits, especially in identifying whether or not your condition is enough to increase your rating from 90% to a 100%. Let us discuss your case step by step so that you know what you are entitled to and what you need to do.
Will lung cancer increase your VA rating to 100%?
Since you are a Gulf War veteran, there is something called “presumptive service connection” which applies to specific diseases and lung cancer is one of them especially if you used to work in environments with burn pits or you were exposed to other harmful substances whilst in service. For instance, if you served in the Middle East during or even after the first gulf war, and have developed lung cancer, the VA will presume that your cancer is service related. In your case, since you already have a 90% disability rating, you may have other health related conditions apart from your lung cancer that may increase your rating to 100%.
However, you have to apply for this rating from the VA. A diagnosis alone from the VA health care system does not mean a change in benefits rating. But you need to file a new claim based on another serious service related condition, this will possibly get you to a 100% disability rating.
What does a 100% disability rating mean for you?
When you reach a 100% VA disability rating, you will get more benefits from the VA. This means, you will be entitled to benefits such as:
- Increased monthly compensation: Veterans with a 100% rating receive the maximum monthly benefit from the VA. This is a considerable increase compared to what you will receive or currently receiving at 90% rating. The additional benefit can make a big difference in your daily life.
- Additional benefits for dependents: If you have a spouse, children, or dependent parents, they may also qualify for added benefits, including healthcare and even education assistance.
- Priority healthcare: You will get the highest level of priority for VA healthcare, which means that you will receive better access to medical treatments and more specialized care, which is particularly important for managing something as serious as your lung cancer.
Learn more about VA benefits here.
Will you qualify for special monthly compensation (SMC)?
Since you are already rated 90% for your health condition, you may be eligible for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). Also, you may be qualified for SMC-S benefits, which is an additional compensation for veterans who are totally disabled (100%) and are either housebound or have another significant disability rated at 60% or more.
If your lung cancer and other disabilities make it difficult for you to leave your home or make it hard for you to carry out your daily activities, this situation can possibly boost your compensation even further and increase your rating to a 100% making you eligible for even more benefits. So you need to make sure to ask about SMC-S when filing for a new claim.
How do you file a new claim for your disability rating?
Here are the steps you can follow to file for a new claim from the VA:
- Gather your medical records: You will need to present all medical records showing you have been diagnosed with lung cancer and any other service related health conditions. If you carry out your check up in a VA hospital then this process will be seamless as the VA will already have access to your medical records.
- File the claim: You can file your claim online through the VA’s eBenefits portal, or you can work with a VA-accredited representative or a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) to help you with all the paperwork that will be required in your filing process. Working with a VA representative when filing for your claim will ensure you get direct assistance and possibly some advice on how you can get more benefits from the VA.
- Follow up: After you are done with filing for your claim, you need to stay in touch with the VA to track the status of your claim. This process may take some time so you may need a bit of patience.
What other benefits can you access?
At 100%, you will qualify for several additional benefits aside from the increase in your monthly payment. Some of these benefits include:
- Healthcare for life: You will receive free medical care for your condition.
- Educational benefits for your family: If you have children that are going to college, the VA can help you cover for your child’s college expenses.
- Housing assistance: The VA can give you a grant to modify your home to make it easy for you to adapt to your present condition.
- Life insurance: You can apply for life insurance from the VA so that if anything happens to you in the future, your family will be financially secure.
Read: VA Disability chart: What are the current benefits for veterans with a 100% disability rating?
What happens if your condition worsens?
With your lung cancer plus other possible health complications that you may develop, there are chances that your condition can become more serious or even worsen in the future. When this happens, notify the VA immediately. The VA will evaluate your health condition regularly but aside from these visits to the VA hospital, you can also let them know of any changes to your health at any time.
What you can do – Focus on your health, the VA has your back
Being diagnosed with lung cancer while battling other service-connected health conditions is quite overwhelming. The good news is that the Veterans Affairs Department is always willing and ready to assist you and has mechanisms in place to ensure you pull through this. By submitting a claim for lung cancer and other related health conditions you have, there is a possibility that your disability rating will be adjusted to 100% entitling you to even more benefits that will provide support for you and your family. One day at a time, take care of your health, and remember that you can reach out for any kind of assistance from the VA and they can always help you access more benefits that you may be entitled to.
