Veterans Disability Lawyers

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

Select a veteran disability attorney that is experienced in these types of cases and is familiar with the VA system. This will ensure that your case gets the attention it deserves.

Proving Service Connection

The VA will only offer disability benefits if it can be proved that your condition is connected to your military service. This is called a nexus. You can use a variety of evidence to prove the connection. These include medical records, independent health examinations (IME), or the nexus letters from current health care providers (especially in the cases of mental health issues). There are times when veterans have medically determinable disabilities, but are unable to be considered service-connected due to insufficient or missing documents. 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 easier to prove that there is a direct connection to your service for injuries or illnesses that occurred while in the military. For instance, if received a head injury while serving and are now suffering headaches and concussions, there is a direct link between the two events and your current condition.

However, it is harder to get connected if you suffer from a pre-existing medical condition that got worse while in the military. To prove that your service time was a catalyst for the worsening or aggravation of a pre-exist health condition, you'll have to present medical evidence from an expert that is "clear and irrefutable".

Appealing a Denied Application

The VA will review your case after you have submitted your application and provided medical evidence. It usually issues a decision which either approves or denies benefits. If the decision is not favorable, the veteran has a year to file a complaint. A veterans disability lawyer can assist the applicant navigate the three possible review options -- the supplemental claim, the higher-level review, or a direct appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

When choosing a New York veterans disability lawyer Take into consideration whether they have a good understanding of your military experience and the culture of the armed forces. This will make it easier for you and lessen the need to explain your situations and experiences in layman's.

You also need a company that will continue to work on your case throughout the duration of the appeals process over a period of years. Be wary of companies that assist you in the initial stages of your case, only to 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 more medical evidence, ask for an official hearing, and also represent you in any Board sessions to ensure that your case will be dealt with without prejudice. They can also help you obtain benefits including monetary compensation, aid and attendance, educational benefits or unemployed benefits.

How do I obtain a higher rating

There may come a time where your disability gets more severe or your symptoms become more complicated or broad. It makes sense in this scenario to ask for an increase in rating. A veterans disability lawyer can help with that process, veterans disability lawyer and can assist you in locating evidence to support your request.

It's not uncommon for the VA make mistakes, resulting in an under-rated rating than you deserve. If they miss an injury or miss a condition which could be linked to other disabilities to earn an improved rating, it's worth having a professional look over your records to find any errors.

You can still file a higher-level claim or review if you have been given a rating for more than one calendar year. This includes a review of your entire record, that could lead to changes to your effective date and a new rating that is more corresponding to your feelings.

If you believe you're entitled to an assessment of 100 percent or more, it's worth requesting a supplemental claim. A disability lawyer can help create a compelling case for this rating that is reserved for the most serious disabilities. For example an illness that is mental could qualify you for an 100% disability rating because it can cause a significant interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization. These don't typically trigger this kind of the rating for a heart condition or other medical problem.

Helping with the Appeals Process

Contrary to what many believe contrary to what many may think, a VA denial of disability benefits does not mean that a person has no chance of recovering benefits. Former service members have one year to appeal an outcome that is not favorable.

An experienced veterans disability lawyer can help a veteran decide which of the three appeals options is best for their case. They can also assist veterans gather the evidence together needed to convince a higher level reviewer that their previous decision was not right. They may also give a veteran an additional formal hearing before a Veterans Law judge.

A New York veteran disability lawyer can provide you with the personal attention to your claim that you require. They are also likely to have years of experience dealing with VA disability claims and are aware of the rules and procedures inside and out. Some lawyers are veterans, and therefore are aware of the difficulties that disabled veterans face. This creates an unique type of empathy, which can enhance the outcome of a veterans disability case.

Sullivan & Kehoe can review your VA disability claim at no cost to determine if we can assist you. Call us today to schedule an appointment for a free evaluation.