Bad Vision After The Military? You May Deserve Compensation
The military is full of opportunities for accelerated wear and tear. Like many industries with heavy labor and uncertain situations, your lack of a job description means being put into situations that aren't always safe and may be downright experimental. Even with world-class safety procedures, the nature of the the Department of Defense is war and risk that can't always be mitigated.
If your vision seems more blurry than it used to be, it could be normal degradation as you age--or it could have been something from your military service. Here are a few angles to consider as you seek help from an optometrist to earn compensation from Veterans Affairs (VA).
What Does Vision Loss Have To Do With The VA?
Vision loss happens to everyone, and it may be more noticeable for people who already wear glasses. That said, there are a few situations during military service that could lead to vision loss.
The important thing to know is that if a problem happens or a situation becomes worse, the VA can help you with it later. Conditions that are related to military service are called service-connected, and a successful disability claim for a service-connected disability nets monetary compensation and enhanced medical benefits for that condition.
In addition to proving that your claim is service-connected, you need to prove that your condition--vision, in this case--is bad enough to require a certain percentage of disability. There is even a 0 percent rating for problems that are identified and service-related but not so severe that they require money. The percentage can be appealed to a higher amount.
An Optometrist Can Help You Gather Evidence
Many situations in the military can lead to vision loss, from the more obvious physical injuries to being exposed to eye irritants over extended periods of time.
There are a few ways to approach the problem. If you can remember a situation that you think may have damaged your eyes, such as a chemical splash in your face or fumes from an unknown substance, you can ask an optometrist and their extended vision care colleagues to help you find evidence of the damage.
If you have no idea what could have caused the problem but know that your vision is a lot worse than it used to be, see an optometrist immediately and fill in the gaps from there. Getting a diagnosis as soon as possible can both protect your vision for the future and get the ball rolling for VA claims.
You can spend as much time as you want thinking about what caused the problem, but don't wait for an idea to get vision care. Contact an optometrist, explain your situation, and get a professional's assistance in tracking down vision problems while you think about past experiences related to your military service.