Veterans Disability Litigation
A lawyer can assist a veteran to make an initial claim for disability or challenge an VA decision. At present, lawyers aren’t allowed to charge for initial claims.
Monk alleges that the VA denied his claims for benefits based on PTSD and an unfavorable discharge. The VA has an extensive appeals process for fixing any erroneous decisions.
What is a VA Disability Claim?
A VA disability claim is a request for tax-free monthly benefits. Compensation is cash benefits that can be used to pay for medical care or housing assistance. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation offers cash payments to spouses, parents and children of service members who have died on active duty or as a result of disabilities related to service.
The most straightforward condition to prove is Tinnitus (ringing in the ear). This condition occurs when you hear hissing, ringing, buzzing, or other sounds coming from the ear of one or both and is only heard by you, as opposed to those who have it.
Sciatica is one of the more common conditions. It happens when a herniated disc or bone spur compresses the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back, through your buttocks and hips as well as down each leg. Numbness and pain are felt in the buttocks, lower leg and feet, and can be very severe.
Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) is the third condition that is easy to qualify. There are times when you experience frequent nightmares or extreme anxiety or depression, or a recurring thought about an incident that occurred during your military service. You can achieve the PTSD rating you deserve by making a convincing claim and citing a stressful event that occurred during your military service. A traumatic brain injury is the most simple condition to qualify for and typically comes with a PTSD diagnosis.
How do I submit a claim for VA Disability?
To file a claim you need to follow a few steps. You must first present medical evidence, including an opinion from a doctor, lab results and X-rays, to show that your condition meets VA’s definition of disability. It is generally beneficial for a lawyer to collect this medical evidence and include it in your initial application, so that the VA can process it more easily.
Next, you must undergo the Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. It will be administered by an federal VA rater who will review your physical and medical conditions to determine whether or not you are eligible for disability benefits. You should have all the required documentation in order to increase your chances of receiving benefits.
You will be issued a letter of decision when the C&P examiner reviews your medical evidence and completes the exam. The letter will include an introduction, a declaration of your disability rating as well as a specific amount, a listing of the medical evidence they reviewed and a brief description of any reasons why they did not choose you when they made their decision.
Our firm is able to assist in the appeals process if your claim was denied or you have received a rating that doesn’t adequately compensate you for the issues you are experiencing. We can assist you in appealing the denial of your claim through the preparation of a comprehensive appeal.
What can I do to challenge a VA Decision?
VA provides three options to applicants who disagree with a decision. The first is a Higher-Level Review where a senior reviewer will examine the same evidence and veterans disability attorney determine if the initial decision can be changed because of a difference of opinion or an error made. This is an option for applicants who don’t have new evidence to present. The process can be completed in 125 days.
The second option is to file an Supplemental Claim. It is an appeal in which veterans can add new evidence, but it has to be new and relevant. It may also contain non-medical evidence, like lay statements. These are statements that are sworn from people who are aware of how your disability affects. This type of appeal must be filed within one year of a decision.
A third option is to make a formal appeal to the Board of veterans disability attorney (simply click the next website) Appeals. This is done by filing a Notice of Disagreement using VA Form 21-0958. The regional office will prepare an SOC (Statement of the case) after the appeal is filed. This will contain a list of the evidence taken into account, the regulations and laws used to make the decision, and the reasons why the decision was favorable, unfavorable, or indeterminate.
The last option is to appeal to a federal court in the event that the decision of the BVA is confirmed. This is the most difficult route and is costly, but it is the only method to get the best possible outcome for your client.
How much will a lawyer charge for an appeal?
A veteran disability lawyer can assist to clarify the appeals process. He or she will quickly determine what was lacking from your initial claim in order to qualify it to be reviewed and assist you in deciding the best method to appeal the decision. The task involves analyzing the reasons behind denial, helping you develop medical evidence to support your claim, and presenting the evidence in a professional manner.
If the court orders that disabled veterans disability legal pay child maintenance or alimony, the veteran cannot ignore this order and continue to receive VA compensation benefits. This is a well-recognized law and there are penalties for breaking an order of a court.
A recent settlement in a class action lawsuit could be a major victory for veterans disability settlement suffering from PTSD. Medical News Today reports that the settlement will result in lifetime benefits for a large number of veterans who were previously denied disability benefits.
Jim is a 58 year veteran who suffered a stroke that left him permanently disabled. He is a pensioner from the VA and also SSI and Medicaid payments. Jim wants to know how his expected $100,000 settlement will impact his eligibility for these benefits. Jim understands that he must prove that he has the financial need to continue receiving the monthly Pension payment, but he wonders what could be done to reduce the impact on other sources of income.