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Benefits not out of question for veterans with a criminal record

Prison and jail are never good, but being incarcerated does not completely eliminate the ability to get veterans benefits for those who have served the country. The Journal Times said of the 23 million veterans in the U.S., 140,000 are in prison or jail currently. However, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will still grant benefits after imprisonment. In fact, a veteran is considered to be free as soon as their sentence is completed. This can be key for procuring benefits that could help save a veteran’s life and treat them for illnesses.

“There is a new understanding of and focus on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder,” the website said. “Not much was known about PTSD right after the Vietnam War, and most applications were denied. Today the VA better understands PTSD and is more eager to grant service-connected disability compensation as a result.”

VA’s website said once a veteran is convicted and imprisoned for more than 60 days, they will have their disability payments reduced. For example, veterans who were rated 20 percent or greater will be limited to 10 percent disability rate. Keeping this in mind, it is clearly best to stay out of trouble and keep benefits as full as they can be, but all hope is not lost if a veteran stumbles once they are home.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Harold W. Conick and Associates are well acquainted with the detrimental effects that PTSD symptoms can have on the mental well being of returning service members. It is important for the health and mental wellness that the veteran claimant seek out appropriate treatment.