Veterans Disability Lawyers

A veteran disability lawyer will guide you through the entire claim process. From collecting medical and service proof to submitting an appeal of a denied claim.

Select a veteran disability attorney who is specialized in handling these cases and knows the VA's system from top to bottom. This will ensure your case receives the care it deserves.

Proving Service Connection

The VA will only approve disability benefits only if you prove that the condition you suffer from is related to your military service. This is called a relationship. There are different types of evidence you can demonstrate this connection, including medical records and independent medical examinations (IME), and nexus letters from current health professionals or therapists (especially for mental health conditions). Sometimes, veterans suffer from medically-determinable disabilities but are not connected because of missing or insufficient military treatment records. These cases require the assistance of skilled New York disability lawyers who know how to present an entire claim and provide evidence that is backed by experts who are independent.

It is simpler to prove that there is a direct connection to your service for illnesses or injuries that you sustained while in the military. If you were injured in the military, and now suffer from headaches or concussions it is much easier to establish a direct connection to the service.

It is more difficult to be service-connected if you had an existing condition that got worse during your military service. To show that your time in service 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 an Denial

After filing an application and submitting medical evidence After submitting the application and providing medical evidence, the VA will examine the case. The VA typically issues a decision approving or denying benefits. If the decision is deemed unfavorable, the veteran has one year to make a notice of disagreement. A lawyer for veterans' disability can assist the claimant through the three decision review options which include a supplemental claim, higher-level review, or direct appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

Consider whether the lawyer understands your military experience and the military's culture when selecting the New York veterans' disability lawyer. This will make the process more enjoyable and less demanding for you to explain your experiences and situations in layman's terms.

You should also choose a firm who will remain on your case for the entire appeals process of several years. Beware of companies that will only assist you in the initial phases of your claim and lawyers then vanish.

An experienced New York lebanon veterans disability lawsuit' disability lawyer can assist you in all phases of the claim including appeals. 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 to claim benefits like monetary compensation, aid and attendance, educational benefits or Lawyers unemployment benefits.

Achieving a Higher Rating

There may come a time where your disability gets more severe or your symptoms become more complex or broader. In such a case it's logical to request an increase in your rating. A veteran disability lawyer can help you with this process and help you collect evidence to prove your claim.

It's not unusual for the VA to make mistakes that result in being denied a disability rating lower than you deserve. It's worth getting an expert to look over your records for mistakes. They could have missed an injury or missed a problem which could be added to another disability to get an improved rating.

Even when it's been over one year since your initial rating decision, you still have the option of filing an additional review or claim. This involves a thorough review of your file and can result in changes to your effective date or an entirely new rating that's more accurate to what you truly feel.

It's also advisable to file an additional claim or a higher-level review if you're trying to argue that you deserve a disability rating of 100 percent or higher. A disability lawyer can assist you to create a compelling case for this rating which is reserved for the most debilitating of disabilities. A mental health issue, for example, may be a reason to get a 100 percent disability rating because it can hinder employment or cause frequent hospitalizations that would not normally trigger this level for a heart problem or other medical issues.

Helping with the Appeals Process

Contrary to what many people believe, the denial of a disability claim by the VA is not the end of a person's chances to get benefits. Former military personnel have a year to appeal an outcome that is not favorable.

An experienced veteran disability attorney can assist a vet in determining which of the three appeal options would be best for his particular situation. They can also assist veterans put the evidence needed to convince a higher level reviewer that their previous decision was wrong. They may even be able to provide a veteran with a more formal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The greatest benefit of having a New York veteran disability attorney handle your appeal is that they can provide the personal attention your claim requires. They also have extensive experience in handling VA disability claims, and they know the rules and procedure completely. Additionally, some lawyers are veterans themselves, which means that they understand the challenges disabled veterans face. This creates an unique type of empathy that can enhance the outcome of a veterans disability case.

Sullivan & Kehoe's team of highly-trained lawyers can review your VA disability claims free of charge to determine if we can assist you. Call us today to arrange your complimentary evaluation.