Posted on Jan 16, 2020
Am I eligible for disability benefits for being diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease while in the Army?
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I was diagnosed with Keratoconus (a degenerative eye disease) during my time in the Army (1987-1991). I was told by my VA doctor that I could apply for disability benefits (I'm not looking for payments, just a waiver of my medicine copays). I tried to apply two years ago and was denied, "Not service connected". Given that this disease was diagnosed during my enlistment, isn't it automatically "service connected"? Am I wasting my time applying again? Is there some sort of VA advocacy office that could help me with this?
Posted in these groups: 
Disabled Veterans
Disability
Disabled Veterans Disability
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 6
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If you applied and did not have an outside advocate speaking for you (like a DAV National Service Officer [NSO]), then you did yourself a disservice... You should have applied for the Disability first! Too many Veterans try to do this themselves without knowing how to approach these claims with the VA directly... Always remember that the VA is basically like an insurance company... What you do not know can bite you in the rear so-to-speak. My recommendation is to contact your local DAV Chapter and ask to be called back by an NSO, then Explain your situation in detail and have the NSO re-apply for you... The NSO should be able to handle it for you.
Kerry Harkins, Commander, DAV Chapter 90, Norwood, MA
Kerry Harkins, Commander, DAV Chapter 90, Norwood, MA
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SGT Clyde Chaffee
I wish I would have known this back when I first applied. Thank you for the advice, I will search for my local DAV chapter next. Thanks! -Clyde
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You should have a county Veterans service office. However just because you get diagnosed with something in service doesn't make it service connected.
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SPC Nancy Greene
Yes!!! You won’t find anything easily! Go to: va.org/forms. VA9 is the form to request Service-connection. If you need assistance, please feel free to contact Me!SGT Clyde Chaffee
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SPC Nancy Greene
If you have medical documentation supporting the fact your ‘condition’ was DIAGNOSED while on Active Duty, you have a solid case! If you have documentation your condition is a result of a condition diagnosed while on Active Duty, You have a case!SGT Joshua Webley
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SPC Nancy Greene
Exactly! And if the symptoms ‘present’ while on Active Duty; you are eligible for Service-Connection for both the symptoms AND the Condition!SGT Clyde Chaffee
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YES!!!
Title 38 and court presidense and medical documentation WILL get you covered for ALL medical expenses & MORE!
Connect with Me & I Will assist You!
Title 38 and court presidense and medical documentation WILL get you covered for ALL medical expenses & MORE!
Connect with Me & I Will assist You!
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I would suggest that you connect with a veterans service organization like the DAV, VFW or the AmVets. All of them usually have volunteer representatives at all of the VA medical facilities to assist veterans with their disability claims and requests.
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Always have an Advocate when trying to get benefits from the VA and do some research on what may have caused your Degenerative Eye Disease. They will always go for the hereditary or genetic factors but like in my case through years of my own research I believe my problems was caused from all those vaccines they gave use in bootcamp and my immune system wasn't able to handle it. I got 30% out the gate but an Advocate got me to 100% then a botched surgery in Ann Arbor Michigan that caused a hernia I had for over 5yrs got me to 150%.
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It Should be auto!
However, in My Personal experiences, the VA’s mission is to Deny SC ratings!
There IS a way to have Your conditions Rated Properly!
Your medical bills Would be covered!
If you desire further information or assistance, please feel free to ‘connect’ with me on RP.
We can ‘take it from there’!
Best of luck!
You SHOULD be receiving benefits (medical support & payment for medical needs!)!
However, in My Personal experiences, the VA’s mission is to Deny SC ratings!
There IS a way to have Your conditions Rated Properly!
Your medical bills Would be covered!
If you desire further information or assistance, please feel free to ‘connect’ with me on RP.
We can ‘take it from there’!
Best of luck!
You SHOULD be receiving benefits (medical support & payment for medical needs!)!
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