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Paul Merrell

Iraq, Afghanistan Veterans Filing For Disability Benefits At Historic Rate - 0 views

  • A staggering 45 percent of the 1.6 million veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now seeking compensation for injuries they say are service-related. That is more than double the estimate of 21 percent who filed such claims after the Gulf War in the early 1990s, top government officials told The Associated Press. What's more, these new veterans are claiming eight to nine ailments on average, and the most recent ones over the last year are claiming 11 to 14. By comparison, Vietnam veterans are currently receiving compensation for fewer than four, on average, and those from World War II and Korea, just two.
  • The new veterans have different types of injuries than previous veterans did. That's partly because improvised bombs have been the main weapon and because body armor and improved battlefield care allowed many of them to survive wounds that in past wars proved fatal. "They're being kept alive at unprecedented rates," said Dr. David Cifu, the VA's medical rehabilitation chief. More than 95 percent of troops wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan have survived.
  • "You just can't keep sending people into war five, six or seven times and expect that they're going to come home just fine," he said. For taxpayers, the ordeal is just beginning. With any war, the cost of caring for veterans rises for several decades and peaks 30 to 40 years later, when diseases of aging are more common, said Harvard economist Linda Bilmes. She estimates the health care and disability costs of the recent wars at $600 billion to $900 billion.
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    The earlier Gulf War lasted only 100 hours, but still resulted in 21% compensable disabilities among its veterans, not counting those who are still in active military service. But the Iraq and Afghanistan wars still continue after 10 years, albeit we're now fighting the Iraq War with mercenaries only. And thus far, 45 per cent of those who served in Iraq and Aghanistan have applied for VA disability compensation, with far more still in service and thus ineligible for VA disability comp until they are discharged from the military. That's how badly the U.S. government treated its military in these latter wars, with many of them serving as many as seven combat tours of duty. That compares with the Viet Nam war where a 3-year enlistee normally saw only a single combat tour. The incidence of injury increases along with time spent in combat. And some types of injuries, e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder ("PTSD"), result from cumulative time spent in combat. Virtually everyone has their breaking point and the more time spent in combat the more likely that PTSD will result. Likewise, the more time spent handling projectiles weighted with depleted Uranium or walking through areas where such rounds have exploded, the more likely that radiation sickness or cancer will result. And a huge range of injuries may only result in disabilities well after the aggravating factor of aging has worked its magic. As Prof. Bilmes said in 2008, "in World War II and Vietnam and Korea, the number of wounded troops per fatality was about two-to-one or three-to-one. And now, the number of wounded troops per fatality is seven-to-one in combat, and if you include all of those wounded in non-combat and diseased seriously enough to have to be medevaced home, it's fifteen-to-one. So it's a very significant difference. And this difference compared to previous wars is, of course, you know, a great tribute to the medical care that they receive on the field and the enormous advance
clausonlaw22

How Much Does Mental Health Disability Pay In 2023 - 0 views

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    How Much Does Mental Health Disability Pay In 2023 Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI or SSD) is the sole source of income for millions of Americans who are unable to work due to a non-work-related injury or illness. SSDI benefits are available only to workers and former workers with a substantial employment history. Both physical and mental disabilities are covered under the Social Security Act. While SSDI pays the same benefits for qualifying mental impairments as it does for physical impairments, the amount each individual receives in benefits depends on their history of earnings. This blog post will explain how Social Security defines qualifying disabilities, including mental impairments, and determines each individual's benefit payment. At The Clauson Law Firm, we know how important it is for every disability applicant and benefit recipient to understand how their benefits are arrived at, what affects their continued benefits, and how their benefits can change over time. Contact Clauson Law today if you have questions about qualifying for SSDI benefits or need help filing a claim or appealing a denial. We've helped thousands of disabled people across the U.S. with their disability claims. Mental Impairments And Social Security Disability More than 40% of SSD cases in the United States have some mental health or intellectual impairment as a component in the claim. Mental health impairments can result from an almost unlimited array of circumstances, including traumatic stress; depression; genetic predisposition to depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia; or traumatic brain injury (TBI); one of the many forms of dementia; and others. The ways in which mental impairments affect the person suffering can often interfere with their ability to perform work on a regular basis. These are discussed in detail in the section "Common Mental Disabilities that May Qualify for SSDI" below. But first, let's look at how you qualify for SSD benefits and how you
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    How Much Does Mental Health Disability Pay In 2023
clausonlaw22

How Long Does a Disability Appeal Take with a Lawyer? - 0 views

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    Applying for Social Security Disability benefits can often feel like an overwhelming process, especially after receiving a denial on your initial application. The time required to press a disability appeal varies considerably based on several factors: the stage of the appeal, the complexity of your case, and the processing efficiency of the Social Security Administration (SSA). While having a lawyer handle your appeal can streamline the process, it's essential to have a clear understanding of what each step entails and the time frames involved.
clausonlaw22

How Do I Change My Disability Direct Deposit Information: A Step-by-Step Guide - 0 views

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    The Social Security Administration stopped paying monthly disability and retirement benefits by check and switched to direct deposit over a decade ago. The application process for benefits through Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, and retirement programs includes a request for direct deposit information.
clausonlaw22

When Happens When You Have Four Disability Benefits? - 0 views

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    If you have a disability that prevents you from working and earning a living as you did before, you may be eligible for disability benefits from multiple sources. For instance, the application you complete for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration is processed to determine eligibility for the Social Security Disability Insurance and the Supplemental Security Income programs so that you can be awarded benefits from SSDI and SSI together.
clausonlaw22

Is The COLA Increase For 2025 Only For Disability Benefits? - 0 views

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    You probably noticed an increase in the disability benefits payment you received. The reason is a cost-of-living adjustment 2025 benefits through the Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance programs received in their first disability payments this year.
clausonlaw22

Who Is Eligible to Receive for the $1800 Social Security Payment? - 0 views

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    You saw an announcement online about an extra payment from Social Security. It was not on the Social Security Administration's official website, but it looked like a reliable source. Now you're wondering when you will receive the $1,800 Social Security Disability payment amount and what you need to do to get it.
clausonlaw22

Can a Spouse Claim Half of Their Deceased's Social Security Benefits? - 0 views

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    The original federal law that created the Social Security system has undergone many changes through the years. Survivor Social Security benefits for widows were added through amendments to the Social Security Act in 1939. Later amendments added widowers.
clausonlaw22

How Much Do SSI and SSDI Pay Together? - 0 views

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    If you have a medical condition causing a disability that prevents you from working, you may be experiencing the challenges of the Social Security system. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), two disability benefit programs administered by the Social Security Administration, can be complex and confusing. For instance, about 6.3 million people receive disability benefits through the SSDI, with 3.4 million receiving them through SSI. What may surprise you is that 1.1 million people receive disability benefits through both programs simultaneously. It's called concurrent benefits, and it can be beneficial for anyone qualifying for only a small SSDI monthly benefit payment. The disability benefits team at the Clauson Law Firm believes you deserve all of the benefits available, and the only way to get them is by understanding the disability programs. This article explains SSDI and SSI with a focus on what it takes to be approved for combined disability benefits. You'll also learn how much to expect in combined disability benefits, as well as when during the month to expect them.
clausonlaw22

How Long Does It Take To Get SSI Once Approved? - 0 views

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    When Will My SSI Benefits Start After Approval? The Supplemental Security Income program, available through the Social Security Administration, provides monthly payments to adults and children of limited means. The benefits paid through SSI make it possible for recipients to afford food, shelter, and other necessities. When a person's ability to acquire food or a place to live depends on it, it's easy to understand why knowing the date of arrival of an SSI first payment is so critical. This article explains the SSI program, including the application and approval process, and provides information about the SSI payment timeline.
clausonlaw22

Can You Collect Social Security and Disability Benefits at the Same Time? - 0 views

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    Social Security and Social Security Disability are not separate names for the same program. "Social Security" refers to the Social Security retirement program, on which more than 54.7 million retired workers and certain of their family members depend for financial assistance.
clausonlaw22

How To Get Approved For Disability The First Time? - 0 views

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    If you are new to the application process for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA), it can be complicated and confusing. An omission or mistake on the application can lead to delays or a denial of benefits.
clausonlaw22

How Much Would I Receive In SSI Disability? - 0 views

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    Financial challenges only add to the struggles faced by someone who cannot work because of a disabling physical or mental health condition expected to last for a year or longer. Many people with work records turn to the Social Security Administration for assistance through its Social Security Disability Insurance program.
clausonlaw22

How to Apply for SSI Benefits for A Child with Autism - 0 views

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    Parents raising a child with autism face unique challenges that most families never experience. The daily struggles of managing behavioral issues, communication difficulties, and specialized care needs can feel endless. What many families don't realize is that their child may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits that can provide financial support during these trying years.
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