For many veterans, the battle doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. The transition to civilian life brings its own set of challenges, especially for those living with physical or mental conditions connected to their service. Even though the VA offers benefits specifically for service-connected disabilities, some veterans are also faced with needing to file for Social Security disability claims for veterans.

In this article, we’ll walk through the unique challenges of filing Social Security disability claims for veterans, why SSDI can still be essential even if you receive VA benefits, and how working with an experienced disability lawyer can make all the difference.

Why Veterans Turn to SSDI

Let’s clear something up first: VA disability and SSDI are two completely separate programs.

• VA disability compensation is for service-connected injuries or illnesses.
  
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based on your work history and is available to anyone—civilian or veteran—who has paid into the Social Security system and can no longer work due to a qualifying disability.
  

Many veterans are eligible for both. And with the right guidance, they can receive both types of benefits simultaneously without one affecting the other’s amount.

The problem? SSDI applications are complex. And veterans, despite their service, face the same red tape and delays as anyone else applying, sometimes even more.

Challenges Veterans Face with SSDI

Filing a claim with the Social Security Administration (SSA) isn’t always quick or easy. Here are a few reasons why veterans can struggle more than the average claimant.

Non-Service-Connected Disabilities Still Count

Many veterans assume SSDI is only available for non-military-related conditions. That’s not the case. SSDI covers any qualifying medical condition, regardless of whether it was sustained during service. Still, separating what’s service-connected from what’s not can confuse the process, especially when you’re dealing with multiple diagnoses.

Mental Health Stigma

PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), anxiety, depression, and traumatic brain injuries are common among veterans. Unfortunately, mental health claims are some of the most frequently denied by the SSA, despite being very real, very disabling conditions.

Applicants may struggle to document how these conditions affect their ability to work. That’s where having a disability lawyer who understands how to frame these impacts for SSA reviewers becomes crucial.

Different Evaluation Standards

VA and SSA don’t speak the same language. The VA uses a disability rating system (0% to 100%) based on how much a condition impacts your daily life. The SSA, however, has a much stricter definition: you must be unable to perform any substantial gainful activity for at least 12 months.

That means even a veteran with a 70% or 100% VA rating might still get denied by SSA if their documentation doesn’t match SSA’s strict criteria.

Lack of Medical Documentation

SSA decisions rely heavily on consistent, well-documented medical records. Veterans who’ve been treated primarily through the VA system may run into issues if records are incomplete, outdated, or don’t clearly outline limitations. Getting those records (and making sense of them) is no small task.

Application Fatigue

Many veterans have already spent years dealing with the VA. Tackling another long application process with SSA—especially one that often ends in initial denial, can feel overwhelming and defeating. Unfortunately, it leads some to give up too soon.

Fast-Tracking for Some Veterans

There is one bright spot: the SSA does offer expedited processing for certain veterans. If you were declared 100% P&T (Permanent and Total) by the VA, your SSDI claim may be fast-tracked. Similarly, veterans wounded in combat or who became disabled while on active duty after October 1, 2001, may also qualify for expedited review under the Wounded Warrior Program.

But you still need to apply—and you still need strong documentation. Expedited doesn’t mean guaranteed.

Why SSDI Matters (Even If You Get VA Disability)

Here’s something many veterans don’t realize: SSDI can provide important benefits that VA compensation does not.

• Access to Medicare: After 24 months of SSDI, you become eligible for Medicare, regardless of your age.
  
• Protection of Retirement Benefits: SSDI helps protect your future Social Security retirement benefits by “freezing” your earnings record during your period of disability.
  
• Additional income support: VA disability and SSDI don’t offset one another, so SSDI can provide extra financial stability for those with limited income options.
  

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 25% of the U.S. veteran population reports a service-connected disability.¹ With so many living with physical or psychological conditions, SSDI help for veterans has become a lifeline for thousands.

How a Disability Lawyer Can Help

Applying for SSDI isn’t something you need to do alone. Doing it alone is often what causes delays and denials.

Here’s how a disability lawyer can simplify the process for you:

• Translate VA records into SSA language: Just because you have a strong VA case doesn’t mean SSA will interpret it the same way. A lawyer knows how to align your records with SSA criteria.
  
• Gather and organize medical evidence: They can help you track down everything you need—and frame it clearly.
  
• Handle appeals if denied: If you’re like most applicants, your first claim may be denied. A lawyer can manage the reconsideration or hearing process so you don’t have to navigate it alone.
  
• Advocate for mental health claims: Many veterans struggle most with invisible injuries. An attorney can help articulate those experiences in a way that fits SSA’s framework.
  
• Save time and reduce stress: You’ve already been through enough. A disability lawyer takes the paperwork and pressure off your plate so you can focus on your health.
  
  

You Served. Let Someone Serve You.

Navigating social security disability claims for veterans isn’t always fair, fast, or simple—but with the right help, it’s possible. If you’re struggling with the SSDI process, don’t wait to ask for support.

At Disability Attorney Services, we’ve helped countless veterans get the benefits they earned. We understand the system, and we’ll fight to make sure your story—and your service—are recognized.

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Reach out to our team today and get personalized, experienced SSDI help for veterans.
 Contact us now for a free consultation. you every step of the way.

 Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation. Let us help you protect the benefits you’ve worked so hard to earn.