Whether it was boot camp, rifle qualification, or your first assignment, it is hard to forget everything from your time in the US military. There are also other memories you recall, such as when you realized you had a more serious medical condition than you realized.
It is not uncommon for veterans to suffer from health problems as a result of their service in the military - serving in the military can be tough. VA offers a variety of financial, medical, and other benefits, for if a veteran becomes disabled due to a service-related illness or injury, a monthly compensation check may be awarded to them.
An American veteran with disabilities is assigned a disability rating by a colleague at the VA who evaluates your claim, determines if you qualify for benefits, and how much disability you have. The Veterans Administration does its best to ensure veterans receive the benefits they deserve, but it is still a human organization, and people make mistakes.
When you are denied an initial disability rating or an increase, you can consult with a VA-certified veterans disability lawyer. One of the strengths of veterans disability lawyers near me is ensuring the VA understands the severity of your condition by knowing the VA's playbook.
Disability benefits for veterans aren't easy to apply for, but you don't have to do it alone. When veterans suffer from service-related health conditions, they can always rely on experienced attorneys for assistance.
Hiring A VA-Certified Veterans Disability Lawyer Near Me
When you have a disability claim approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the process of applying can be long and frustrating. If you hire an attorney to guide you through the VA's labyrinth, you can avoid the headaches that can come with going through it on your own.
In addition, an attorney may not be able to speed up the VA's decision-making process, but with legal assistance, you may be able to claim more of the benefits to which you are entitled. It would be a great advantage for you to be represented by a lawyer since VA laws and regulations are complex, difficult to understand, and subject to frequent changes, which makes it imperative for you to be represented by one.
When Do You Need An Attorney?
When applying for VA benefits for the first time, you may not need the services of an attorney. If you need assistance with your application, you can contact an agent of a veterans service organization. Those who have applied for disability benefits, received a denial letter, and intend to appeal the decision, or those who need a discharge upgrade to be eligible for VA benefits, should consult a lawyer.
What To Ask An Attorney
Choosing an attorney with expertise in VA matters and who can represent your interests fully is very important if you wish to obtain VA benefits. You should ask any potential attorney these questions if you are thinking of hiring them.
- Do you have VA accreditation?
- What is the length of your practice relating to veterans' law?
- Do you remember the last time you attended training on veterans' law?
- Would you be able to help me obtain the earliest possible effective date for my benefits?
- What can you do to ensure my disability rating is as high as possible?
- Would you be able to represent me through the entire appeal process? (up to and including the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims)
How To Find A Veterans Disability Attorney
In the field of disabled law, many lawyers specialize, but it is essential to ensure you find a lawyer specializing in veterans' disability law. There are resources available to you that can assist you in this process. You may wish to try the following if you do not know a veteran who can recommend a disability lawyer.
We recommend that you use the website of the National Organization of Veterans Advocates (NOVA) if you want to access help from a veteran. NOVA has created an online directory of attorneys (and non-attorney agents) accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs and a list of many attorneys admitted to practice before the United States Court of Veterans Appeals.
The attorneys who become members of NOVA must attend an annual veterans benefits training. They are not included in the online directory until one year after joining the organization as a member.
Most lawyers specialize in Social Security disability law, while others are 100% VA-certified veterans disability lawyers near me. You can get a free consultation with any of these lawyers, and if they do not accept veteran's cases, they can suggest a colleague who does.
What About Pro Bono Attorneys?
To help veterans appeal a denial of disability benefits to the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) offers free legal assistance to veterans. The NVLSP can be reached at (202) 265-8305 or by emailing [email protected].
Veterans Consortium's Pro Bono Program provides free legal representation to veterans who are appealing a decision made by the Board of Veterans Appeals and seeking to appeal it. Decisions that deny benefits to people with disabilities fall into this category. You can use their contact form or call them at (888) 838-7727 or (202) 628-8164 if you need assistance.
An organization called the GI Hotline, a network of twenty veteran service organizations, provides legal assistance for veterans and active service members concerning discharge upgrades (as well as other legal matters). Please contact them at (877) 447-4487 if you have any questions.
As a result of bans on openly serving in the military, Outserve SLDN assists gay, lesbian, and transgender veterans with discharge upgrades and military records corrections. As well as providing legal assistance to veterans and active service members, they also provide other services. If you would like legal assistance, please email [email protected].
Suppose you seek legal assistance for a disability benefit issue, discharge upgrade, or other legal matter. In that case, you can find other local programs through the American Bar Association's veterans directory of programs.
Applying for cash benefits from VA can seem overwhelming for some Veterans. If you want disability compensation benefits, know when you can expect to receive your first VA Disability check. If you are interested in learning more, you can visit DisabilityHelp.org today for more information!
