Helpful VA Disability Terminolgy

If you are a Veteran, and have VA Disability Claim pending, chances are you have been confused by some of the jargon used on your case. This blog post will serve as a small glossary of terms as well as an acronym guide.

RO: Regional Office
SOC: Statement of the Case
RD: Ratings Decision
SSOC: Supplemental Statement of the Case
BVA: Board of Veterans Appeals
CAVC: Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
NOD: Notice of Disagreement
DRO: Decision Review Officer
VCAA: Veterans Claim Assistance Act
C&P: Compensation and Pension
DOS: Dates of Service
IME: Independent Medical Examination
FOIA: Freedom of Information Act
DOD: Date of Death

These are just a few of the many abbreviations used in the legal process for VA Disability. Remembering all of these terms can be overwhelming at times, and that is just one of the many reasons so many Veterans turn to the legal experts at Jan Dils Attorneys as Law. For a free phone consultation, call us: 1-877-526-3457 Also, be sure to check us out online: www.fight4vets.com

You Received a "Ratings Decision," now what?

After you submit your initial application to the VA for your disability compensation, you will receive a decision letter stating what has been decided. If you receive a favorable decision, and you are happy with the percentage you were awarded, that's great. However, if you received a decision that was not favorable from the VA, then you must appeal that decision.

It is important to note that you only have one year from the date on the decision letter to file an appeal. (It is not year from the day you receive the decision letter.) At this point, you may ask: "What happens if I do not appeal my decision within a year?" The answer is quite simple, your claim will close.

If your VA Disability Compensation Claim closes, then you lose all of the time and work that you have put into your case thus far. Further, once your claim has closed, you lose any potential back pay you may have received from a later favorable decision. (Back pay starts from the day in which you file a claim, but you will only receive it if you are granted a favorable decision.)

The VA Legal Process can be very confusing and stressful, especially if you go through it alone. The experienced attorneys and staff at Jan Dils Attorneys at Law can assist you in every step of your VA Disability Claim. Call our office today for a free phone consultation: 1-877-526-1357. Check us out online: www.fight4vets.com

What is a "RO" in Veterans Disability Compensation?

Chances are, if you have a Disability claim pending through the VA, you have heard the letters "RO" stated at some point. What does the abbreviation "RO" stand for though? It's actually quite simple, RO is the abbreviation for Regional Office. Sometimes it also referred to a "VARO" which simply means VA Regional Office. Both terms can be used interchangeably, and refer to the same thing.

You may then ask, what is a Regional Office for the VA? That too is quite simple. A VA Regional Office handles all of the claims for Veterans Disability. They are traditionally separate from a VA Hospital. Think of the Regional Office as an administrative office.

Every state has at least one VA Regional Office, but some states have more than one location. For instance, New York City has its own Regional Office, and the rest of the State of New York uses the Regional Office in Buffalo.

For More information, or to see which VA Regional Office is near you, click here.

If you would like help with your VA Disability claim, check out our website, or give us a call: 1-877-526-3457