Disability Myths #4

 Myth 4: People who are approved for VA disability, Medicare, or Medicaid automatically receive disability benefits. 

 


I wish this myth were true. Often times VA disability, Medicare, or Medicaid will be approved before Social Security disability. While it helps these people continue to receive medical treatment, it does nothing to relieve their primary stress, the inability to earn an income.

All four basically use the same definition of “disability” and consider the same things. But Social Security is not required to follow the decisions of the VA, Medicare, or Medicaid even though the same definition and considerations are used. In fact, in 2017 Social Security changed their rules to say that their judges do not have to give any reasoning for not following a finding of disabled by the VA, Medicare, or Medicaid.


The good news is that Medicare and Medicaid are required to grant benefits if Social Security finds you disabled and the VA must take that finding in to consideration when deciding unemployability.  



George C Piemonte

Martin, Jones, & Piemonte

Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law

Admitted to the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

NOSSCR Vice President

Website: www.mjpdisability.com



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