June 2025 VA Disability Insights from Greene & Marusak
Topics We Covered in June
How to Update Your Direct Deposit Information with the VA
Updating your direct deposit information with the VA is an easy way to make sure your disability payments, pension, or other benefits arrive without interruption. Veterans can update their banking details online through VA.gov by signing into their account, selecting “Profile,” and navigating to the “Direct Deposit” section to enter their new routing and account numbers. You can also make changes by calling the VA at 1-800-827-1000 or by submitting the information through VA Form 20-572 if you prefer a paper route. However you choose to update it, keeping your direct deposit current helps you avoid delays, returned payments, or processing issues—especially if you've recently switched banks or closed an old account. Click to watch our video
Breaking Down VA Forms 21-526EZ and 20-0995
VA Form 21-526EZ and VA Form 20-0995 serve very different purposes in the disability claims process, and understanding when to use each one can save veterans time and frustration. The 21-526EZ is the form you file when you want to start a new disability claim or request an increase for an already service-connected condition. In contrast, the 20-0995 is used when you want to appeal a past decision by submitting new and relevant evidence that the VA hasn’t previously reviewed. In other words, the 526EZ starts something new, while the 0995 challenges something old. Knowing which path fits your situation, and what evidence best supports it, can help you move through the VA process with more clarity and confidence. Click to watch our video
How Income Affects Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
Income plays an important role in whether or not a veteran may qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). The VA looks at whether you can maintain substantially gainful employment, which is steady work that provides earnings above the U.S. poverty level. Veterans who can only hold marginal employment, such as part-time work, inconsistent jobs, or earnings below the poverty threshold, may still be eligible for TDIU if their service-connected conditions significantly impact their ability to work. Understanding how the VA reviews income, employment type, and your functional limitations can help you determine whether TDIU is an option worth pursuing. Click to watch our video
Combat Presumptions for PTSD Service Connection
For most PTSD service connection claims, the VA requires three key elements: a medical diagnosis of PTSD, credible evidence supporting the reported in-service stressor, and a medical nexus linking that stressor to your current condition. However, veterans who engaged in combat have a special presumption. If your reported in-service stressor is related to combat, your own lay statement detailing the stressor may be sufficient evidence to establish that it occurred. As long as the stressor is consistent with the circumstances, conditions, and hardships of your service, no additional documentation may be needed for the VA to concede its occurrence. This makes proving PTSD related to combat significantly more straightforward for eligible veterans. Click to watch our video