Veterans Disability Lawyers

A veteran disability lawyer can assist you through the entire claim process. From assembling medical and service evidence to filing an appeal against a denied claim.

Choose a veteran disability lawyer who focuses their practice on dealing with these cases, and who knows the VA's system inside out. This will ensure that your case gets the attention it deserves.

Proving Service Connection

The VA will only provide disability benefits if you prove that the condition you have is a result of your military service. This is referred to as a linkage. You can make use of various types of evidence to prove the connection. These include medical records, independent health assessments (IME), or an nexus letter from your current health care providers (especially in the case of mental health conditions). There are instances that veterans suffer from medically-determined disabilities, but cannot be considered service connected due to the absence of or insufficient records. These cases require the help of skilled New York disability lawyers who are able to present a complete claim and present evidence that is backed by experts who are independent.

It is simpler to prove that there is a direct connection to your service for injuries or illnesses that occurred while in the military. For example, if you suffered head injuries while serving and are now suffering headaches and concussions, there is a clear connection between those events and your current condition.

It is a lot more difficult to become service-connected if there was an existing condition that deteriorated while you were in military service. To prove that your time in military service worsened or aggravated an existing medical condition you must provide a doctor's medical evidence that reaches the level of "clear and undeniable" proof.

Appealing a Denial

After filing an application and providing medical evidence The VA will examine the case. It usually issues a ruling that either approves or denies benefits. If the decision is deemed unfavorable the veteran is given one year to submit a Notice of Disagreement. A veterans disability lawyer can help the claimant navigate the three possible review options including an additional claim, a higher-level review or veterans disability law firms an appeal directly to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

When selecting the right New York veterans disability Law firms disability lawyer Make sure you consider whether they have a good understanding of your military experience and military's culture. This will make it easier for you to understand and reduce the requirement to explain your situation and experiences in layman's language.

You should also find a firm who will remain on your case throughout the duration of the appeals process over a period of years. Be wary of firms that assist you in the first stages of your claim and then go away.

An experienced New York veterans disability attorney will assist you with every stage of your claim, including the appeals process. They can assist you in submitting additional medical evidence, request a formal hearing, and represent you at any Board meetings to ensure that your case is treated fairly. They can also assist you in obtaining you benefits, such as cash compensations, aid or attendance benefits, educational benefits, or unemployability.

Achieving a Higher Rating

There may be a point when your disability becomes more serious, or your symptoms get more complex or broader. It makes sense in this instance to seek an increase in the rating. A veterans disability lawyer can help with that procedure, and help you find evidence to support your request.

It's not common for the VA to make mistakes that lead to being denied a disability rating lower than you're entitled. It's worth getting an expert to look over your records for veterans disability law firms any errors. They could have missed an injury or missed the issue that could be in conjunction with another disability to earn an increase in rating.

Even when it's been over one year since your initial rating decision, you have the option of filing an additional review or claim. This includes a review of your entire record, that could lead to modifications to your effective date, as well as a new rating that is more corresponding to the feelings you have.

It's also worth seeking a supplemental claim or higher-level review if you're trying to argue that you're entitled to a disability grade of 100 percent or greater. A disability lawyer can help make a convincing case for this rating that is reserved for the most severe of disabilities. For instance mental health issues could be a reason to get 100% disability ratings due to the fact that it causes significant interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization. These don't normally trigger such a rating for a cardiovascular condition or other medical problem.

Getting help with the Appeals Process

Contrary to what some believe Contrary to what some may believe, an VA denial of disability benefits doesn't mean that the person is not eligible for benefits. Former veterans have one year to appeal an outcome that is not favorable.

An experienced attorney for veterans can help a vet determine which of the current three pathways for appeal is best for his particular situation. They can also assist a vet in gathering the evidence required to convince a higher-level reviewer that the previous decision was not right. They may also give a veteran an opportunity to have a formal hearing front of an Veterans Law judge.

The greatest benefit of having a New York veteran disability attorney handle your appeal is that they are able to give you the individual attention your claim requires. They also have extensive experience in handling VA disability claims, and they understand the rules and procedure inside out. Some attorneys are veterans, and therefore know the challenges faced by disabled veterans disability attorneys. This creates a unique type of empathy that can enhance the outcome of a disability claim for veterans disability law firms.

Sullivan & Kehoe can review your VA disability claim for no cost to determine if we are able to help you. Call us today to schedule your complimentary evaluation.