Can I Get SS Disability If Rejected For Veteran's Disability?

When you are rejected for veteran's disability then you may feel like it would be a waste of time to even apply for SS disability but this may not be the case.  You need to know more about the process and about these two types of disability claims if you are to decide how to move forward.  Here is what you need to know.

What Does A Rejection Mean?

Before you start any application for SS disability or veteran's disability, what you really need to know is what a rejection does not mean.  A rejection does not mean that your claim is not valid.  Both valid and invalid claims get rejected the first time around. 

In fact, more than half of claims get rejected the first time they are submitted.  Each process is likely to have multiple steps.  Both will require their own appeals and you may end up in court attempting to win your case and to get your claims approved.

The Definition Of Disability

Qualifying for SS disability and veteran's disability are two different things.  Each one has its own definition of disability and each organization will do its own investigation to see if you meet the criteria for the definition that they use.  It is possible that you would qualify for one and not the other because of these differing definitions.  Remember this because the separate definitions mean that approval or disapproval in one claim has no bearing on the outcome of the other claim.  Aside, from dealing with two different definitions you are facing two different systems.

Two Separate Systems

In the end, what you need to understand is that when you apply for SS disability and when you apply for veteran's disability you are dealing with two separate systems.  The only overlap will be if those who are investigating your SS disability claim need medical records from a VA medical facility but this is exactly the way it would happen if they needed your medical records from any medical facility.  Your SS disability claim is not dependent upon the outcome of your veteran's disability claim.

Utilizing An Attorney

An attorney can help you to navigate this complicated and occasionally convoluted process.  Attorneys understand the laws and rules so they can help you to understand and help you to provide all the necessary proof and paperwork to get the benefits that you deserve.  They can also reassure you that rejection is just part of the process.