There's a lot of medication on the market for back, neck and general joint pain, but medication isn't the only answer. The military seeks to keep its service-members fit to serve, but far too often, a service-member needs to simply take a few pills and fight through the day. After transitioning to a civilian lifestyle, many veterans have noticed the aches, pains, stiffness and general bad condition that their bodies have been forced into. Don't simply work through the pain or on look for stronger medication; take a look at how a chiropractic clinic and Veterans Affairs (the VA) can help.v

What Can The VA Do?

The Department of Veterans Affairs exists to help veterans as they transition to civilian life, especially in the case of hardships. You don't have to be in the hospital or losing a limb to get help from the VA; the best way to keep veterans safe, secure and productive in society is to solve their problems before they get worse.

When dealing with aches and pains, know that the problem could get worse if not treated. Sore joints are a part of some difficult jobs, but if the pain never goes away, it isn't just because you're a hard worker. The problems may be torn ligaments, cracked bones, torn muscle or other problems that are on the brink of disaster.

There's no cost when it comes to VA treatment, and if you're the type who just wants to get some pain medication and move on, they can help you halfway. You can get targeted medical advice and a professional opinion of which medication works for you, but you'll also get suggestions for a specialist. While specialists such as chiropractors cost money, you can receive a referral from the VA.

Not all veterans are eligible for referrals. It has to be either a dire situation or a rare situation where the VA believes you can be quickly and cheaply helped with a referral paid by the VA. The best way to get a referral is to qualify for disability benefits, which a chiropractor can help you with as you get a bit of early care.

Chiropractic Consultation And Care In One Fell Swoop

Before going to the VA, have a chiropractor in mind. Although it's likely that the VA will give you a choice of local referrals, if you have no specialist in mind, an enterprising doctor or administrator may choose their favorite medical partners for you.

If the VA refers you, take full advantage of the first visit. Explain every detail of your pain and discomfort, even if it isn't specifically part of chiropractic medicine in the joints, back, neck or other areas. You should also elaborate on your situation as a veteran, and discuss the evidence needed for disability.

To qualify for VA disability, you'll need historical evidence showing how you were injured to the point of needing a chiropractor, or that your career lead to the problems. An exact incident written in a medical record as a cause would be the best evidence, but the VA understands that not all forms of duty have medical administrators to write your issues on the spot and that not all injuries are immediately noticed.

A chiropractor can then begin examining you with the VA's requirements in mind. Observations and suggestions are the job of any professional, but knowing what the VA wants can help with drafting a good claim. Contact a chiropractic clinic to discuss building a strong VA claim while getting some early care in the process.

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