Question:
I had my first appointment to increase my benefits today and I had to take a urinalysis and blood test. I smoke marijuana for pain relief but I do not have a medical card. Can the VA deny my disability claim because of this? What exactly are they testing for In the urinalysis? I am already receiving 10% disability
Jim's Reply:
Since I don't know what your reasoning is to increase a benefit, I can't say if there may be lab work that will support your claim or not. In any case VA is drug screening everyone who walks through the door and although I'm not aware of drug screens during C & P exams, it wouldn't surprise me.
A positive drug screen won't cause a loss of benefits. VA disability benefits are predicated on the nature of the disability and nothing else. If there was a positive for weed drug screen...even if you don't have a card...VA doesn't care. If something else were detected, you'd probably get referred to a rehab program but nothing else.