veterans disability law firms Disability Lawyers

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

Choose a veteran disability lawyer that specializes in these cases and is well-versed with the VA system. This will ensure your case receives the attention it deserves.

Proving Service Connection

The VA will only approve disability benefits only if you prove that the condition is a result of your military service. This is called a linkage. There are a variety of evidence you can prove the connection, such as medical records as well as independent medical examinations (IME), and the nexus letters of current healthcare providers or therapists (especially for mental health issues). Sometimes, veterans disability law firm suffer from medically-determinable disabilities but cannot get service connected because of incomplete or missing military treatment records. These cases require the assistance of skilled New York disability attorneys who are skilled at presenting an entire claim and submit evidence backed by impartial experts.

It is simpler to establish a direct connection when injuries or illnesses occurred while you were in the military. If you've been injured while in the military, and now suffer from headaches or concussions, it is easier to prove a direct service connection.

It is harder to get connected to a service if you have a pre-existing condition that worsened during your military service. To show that your time in service caused or aggravated a pre-existing condition, you'll need to present medical evidence from an expert that is "clear and undisputed".

Appealing to a Denial

The VA will review your application after you have submitted your application and provided evidence of medical necessity. It usually issues a decision that either approves or denies benefits. If the decision is deemed unfavorable, the veteran has one year to make a notice of disagreement. A lawyer for veterans' disability can help the claimant navigate the three options for review -- the supplemental claim, the higher-level review, or a direct appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

Consider whether the lawyer understands your military experiences as well as the traditions of the armed forces when choosing the New York veterans' disability lawyer. This will make the process more comfortable and less demanding for you to explain your experience and the circumstances in layman's terms.

You want a firm who will work on your case through the lengthy appeals process. Beware of firms that only help you with the initial stages of your claim, and then vanish.

A seasoned New York veterans disability attorney can help you through all phases of your claim including the appeals process. They can help you submit more medical evidence, file an official hearing, and also represent you at any Board meetings to ensure your case is handled fairly. They can also assist you to get your benefits, including monetary compensation, aid and attendance, educational benefits or unemployability benefits.

Earning a higher rating

It is possible that your disability becomes worse or your symptoms get more severe. It makes sense in this instance to seek a higher rating. A lawyer for veterans' disability can help with that process, and can help you dig up evidence to justify your request.

It's not unusual for the VA to make mistakes that lead to an lower disability rating than you're entitled. It's worth getting an expert to look over your records for mistakes. They may have missed an injury or omitted an issue that could be combined with another condition to get an improved rating.

You can still file a higher-level claim or firms review if you've been assessed for more than a calendar year. This involves a thorough review of your file, and could result in a change to your effective date or a new rating that's more in line with how you feel.

It's also advisable to file an additional claim or a higher-level review if you are entitled to a disability rating of 100 percent or greater. A disability lawyer can assist you to develop a compelling argument for this rating that is reserved for the most severe of disabilities. A mental health issue, for example, may allow you to receive a 100 percent disability rating because it could hinder your employment or trigger frequent hospitalizations that would not normally trigger this level of severity for a heart problem or other medical conditions.

Getting help with the Appeals Process

Contrary to what some may believe Contrary to what some may believe, an VA denial of disability benefits does not mean that an individual is not eligible for benefits. In fact, a former servicemember has one year from the date the local veterans' hospital or office mails them a negative decision to file an appeal.

A skilled veteran disability lawyer can help a veteran determine which of the three appeals options is best for their case. They can also assist veterans gather the evidence they need to convince a higher level reviewer that their previous decision was not right. They can provide a veteran an additional formal hearing front of a Veterans Law judge.

A New York veteran disability lawyer can give you the personalized attention to your claim that you require. They also have a wealth of experience dealing with VA disability claims, and they know the rules and procedures inside out. Some attorneys are veterans, so they know the challenges faced by disabled veterans. This creates a unique kind of empathy that can improve the outcomes of a veterans disability case.

Sullivan & Kehoe can review your VA disability claim for free to determine if we can assist you. Contact us now to schedule your complimentary evaluation.