Site Logo

Give us a call (800) 600-2089Our staff is here to help: Monday-Sunday 8am-6pm

×
  • Home
  • Social Security Disability
    • Articles
    • FAQ’s
  • Veterans Disability
    • Articles
    • FAQ’s
  • Testimonials
  • Blogs
    • Social Security
    • Veterans
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Client Login
☰Menu

Social Security Blogs

Is There Extra VA Disability for Social Security Disability Recipients?

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Ken LaVan

You can receive both VA disability and Social Security disability benefits.  Frequently, disabled veterans apply for both benefits.  Receiving Social Security disability doesn’t provide extra VA disability benefits.  However, it can help increase your VA disability rating. 

VA disability vs. Social Security disability

The VA offers disability benefits for disabilities connected to your service.  You can get partial disability benefits from the VA.  VA disability compensation rates range from 10% to 100% in 10% increments.  Social Security offers two types of benefits.  You must have worked to apply for Social Security disability insurance benefits (SSDI).  You must meet certain financial conditions for Supplemental Security Income benefits (SSI).  Under both SSDI and SSI, your medical conditions must keep you from working for at least 12 months.  Unlike the VA, Social Security doesn’t offer partial disability. 

VA disability benefits

The VA requires that you meet certain conditions for disability benefits.  Most importantly, you must show that your medical conditions are service-connected.   You must also show a medical nexus or connection between your condition and in-service incurrence.  Service-connected means:

  • Your condition was directly caused by military service
  • A condition was caused by conditions that are service-connected

VA disability:  TDUI

It can be hard to get a 100% disability rating when you have more than one disabling condition.  Fortunately, the VA provides an alternate way to total disability.  You can receive VA total disability under total disability individual unemployability (TDUI).  You meet the conditions for a TDUI rating if your disabilities prevent you from working and have a single service-connected rating or have a combined disability rating of 70%

Increasing your VA disability rating

Social Security recipients can use their decision to help increase their VA rating.  Social Security hearing decisions provide detailed reasons for approval.  You can use your Social Security decision to:

  • Help establish your diagnosis, establish service-connection or establish severity

Using your Social Security decision to establish a diagnosis

Social Security looks at your medically determinable impairments (MDI).  An MDI includes any conditions that have more than a slight impact on your functioning.  Your Social Security hearing decision lists all of your disabilities.  Therefore, your Social Security approval helps determine your diagnosis. 

Example 1:  establishing a diagnosis

For example, Sam applied for Social Security benefits for both physical and mental conditions.  In Sam’s decision, the judge listed all of the conditions he considered when deciding disability.  The judge also included specific medical evidence that supported his diagnoses.  Sam was able to use his hearing decision to help establish his diagnoses. 

Using your Social Security decision to establish service-connection

During a Social Security disability hearing, judges ask a lot of questions about your disabilities.  Frequently, you have to provide detailed explanations about your conditions.  Often, this includes when your conditions started.  A Social Security hearing decision includes a summary of what you said during your hearing.  Therefore, your Social Security hearing decision can help establish service-connection.

Example 2:  establishing service-connection

In another example, Paul applied for Social Security disability benefits for degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis.  During the hearing, he testified that he injured his back while on active duty.  Paul’s testimony included specific details how his injury occurred.  The judge’s decision included Paul’s testimony.  Paul was able to use his Social Security hearing decision to help establish that his back condition was connected to his service. 

Using your Social Security decision to establish severity

Social Security has very difficult conditions to meet for disability benefits.  You must show that your medical conditions prevent you from working in any job.  A judge’s decision explains why a case meets the conditions for disability.  Specifically, the decision explains how significantly medical conditions impact your functioning.  Therefore, a Social Security disability decision can help explain the severity of your conditions. 

Example 3:  establishing severity

For instance, John applied for disability benefits for PTSD.  During his hearing, he testified that he often had flashbacks and nightmares as a result of his service.  John also testified that he would become paranoid.  His paranoia made it difficult to be around others.  He had difficulty concentrating because of his poor sleep.  In the hearing decision, the judge explained that John’s PTSD symptoms caused severe problems concentrating.  The judge also explained that John’s symptoms would cause him to miss work a lot, making him unlikely to keep a job.  John provided the VA a copy of his decision, helping him qualify for TDUI. 

Using your Social Security disability evidence to support your VA disability

Many times, veterans receive treatment from both the VA and civilian doctors.  Social Security disability claims need a lot of medical evidence.  Therefore, your Social Security disability file should include most of your medical records.  You can use your Social Security disability file to help support your VA disability claim or appeal. 

Call Now for a Free Case Review, 800-700-0652

Make sure you start your SSDI and VA disability claim the right way and apply for all the benefits you deserve. Contact us now for a free consultation.

Related Articles

  • Is Osteoporosis a Disability?
  • What is the Difference Between SSI and SSDI?
  • I Just Received a Function Report Questionnaire from Social Security. What Should I Do?
  • Why Your SSD Claim Might Be Denied?
  • What is the SSDI Payment Schedule?
  • How can I Check on My Disability Claim?
  • Why Should I Hire a Disability Lawyer?
  • What are the Over 55 Grid Rules?
  • VA Benefits Appeal
  • VA Disability Remand
  • What are Social Security Disability Questions?
Click on a button to get started:
Are you a current client?
Are you currently receiving Social Security Disablity?
Are you currently working more than 10 hours per week?
Are you unable to work a full time job because of your disability?

Free Case Review, 100% Guaranteed

Let us help you
  • By submitting this form I consent to being called, text or emailed regarding a free consultation to determine if Disability Help Group can help me with a Social Security and/or Veteran's Disability claim. Standard cellular rates will apply and the caller may utilize an autodialer. I waive all federal and state no-call registry protections. I understand my consent does not require me to purchase anything and my number will not be stored or called for any other purpose.

Post navigation

Previous Post Previous post:
What Are the Social Security Disability GRIDS?

© Disability Help Group, LLC

  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Term Of Use

This website is an ADVERTISEMENT. The Social Security Disability information you obtain at this site is not, nor intended to be legal advice, and should be used for informational purposes only. Disability Help Group is an Advocacy Group, not a law firm. Utilizing this website or contacting us does not create a business relationship. Disability Help Group is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government entity or agency.

Call Now
Review