Like any other career, veterans and active military members face various challenges while transitioning and during their service. One of the main challenges faced by these groups is legal issues. These issues may be fueled by the nature of their work or their general conduct. Here are common legal issues among veterans and active service members.
Health Claims
Serving in the military entails making a lot of sacrifices to serve the country. This may increase the chances of developing various health complications compared to civilians. Military members are prone to various injuries during combat and are also at risk of developing physical body stress. In some cases, these injuries are life-threatening and may lead to disability. Fortunately, individuals facing health issues as a result of their service are eligible for various health benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Individuals with health claims, including those claiming veterans disability for sleep apnea, should seek legal help to get the best possible outcome regarding their case.
Common physical injuries include:
- Gunshot wounds
- Head and brain damages
- Lost limbs
- Limited motion range
- Tinnitus and hearing loss
Individuals in the military are also at risk of developing health issues arising from exposure to environmental dangers like infections, contaminated water, and chemicals. Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) are also common among military members as a result of being separated from their families and being in combat.
Divorce
Active military members and veterans also face various family disputes. For instance, military members are more prone to divorce than married civilians without at least one member in the service. Common challenges military couples face include having to relocate regularly, and the challenges linked with earning low wages.
The nature of military work makes it harder for couples to solve their marital issues since most spend considerable time apart. Staying away from the general community makes it hard for veterans to transition back into civilian life. As a result, many turn to narcotics and alcoholism, which inevitably fuels family friction and divorce.
Access to Military Benefits
Veterans are eligible for various benefits, including disability compensation, pension programs, education assistance, post-traumatic stress disorder support, and medical care. Typically, the Department of Veterans Affairs administers most of these benefits.
Since the legal definition of ‘military veteran’ doesn’t exist, one’s eligibility depends on how Congress wrote each benefit into law. For instance, a home loan guarantee is limited to veterans who served certain days in a particular armed conflict. An example of such a provision is that a veteran must have served more than 90 days in the Vietnam War to be eligible for the home loan benefit.
Although veterans and active service members are usually eligible for various benefits, disciplinary actions may limit their eligibility. This is usually common among those who receive a dishonourable discharge from service.
Discharge from Service
Veterans and active military members also face disciplinary actions for their conduct, including being discharged from service. In the armed forces, punitive discharges are divided into dishonourable discharges and bad conduct discharges (BCD). A dishonourable discharge is the most serious punishment among military discharges.
The government of the United States doesn’t legally consider individuals who receive this form of discharge as veterans. This limits veterans’ benefits, including state-level and federal benefits. Individuals who have been dishonourably discharged are also limited in terms of post-military career opportunities. This may disqualify them from various benefits, including federal student loans and unemployment benefits.
Veterans and active service people are entitled to various benefits, including health claims. Seeking legal help is a smart move for individuals facing various challenges to help them navigate through them.