Veterans Disability Lawyers

A veteran disability lawyer can assist you through the entire claims process. From collecting medical and service evidence to submitting an appeal for a denied claim A veteran disability lawyer can help you throughout the claims process.

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

Proving Service Connection

The VA will only offer disability benefits if it is proven that your condition is connected to your military service. This is referred to as linkage. There are many types of evidence to prove the connection. This includes medical records, independent health exams (IME) or a nexus letter from current health care providers (especially in the case of mental health conditions). Sometimes veterans have medically determinable disabilities but aren't able to get connected because of missing or insufficient 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 unbiased experts.

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

However, it's more difficult to be connected if you have a pre-existing medical condition that grew worse while you were in the military. To show that your time in service was a catalyst for the worsening or aggravation of a pre-exist condition, you'll need to provide medical evidence from a professional that is "clear and undisputed".

Appealing a denied application

After submitting an application and providing medical evidence The VA will examine the case. It usually issues a ruling which either approves or denies benefits. If the decision isn't favorable, the veteran has one year to file a notice of disagreement. A disability attorney for veterans can assist the claimant through the three review options - an additional claim or a higher-level review, or an direct appeal before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

When selecting the right New York veterans disability lawyer Be sure to think about whether they understand your military experience and the traditions of the armed forces. This can help you feel more comfortable and eliminate the need for you to explain your experiences and the circumstances in layman's terms.

You should also find a firm that will work on your case throughout the entire appeals process of several years. Beware of companies that will only assist you with the initial stages of your claim, and then disappear.

An experienced New York veterans' disability lawyer can assist you in all phases of the claim, including appeals. They can assist you in submitting additional medical evidence, request an official hearing and represent you at any Board meetings to ensure your case will be dealt with fairly. They can also help you win you benefits, such as financial compensations, aid and education benefits, attendance benefits, or unemployability.

Getting a Higher Rating

It could happen that your disability gets worse or your symptoms are more severe. In this case it's logical to seek a higher rating. A lawyer for veterans can assist with this procedure, and Veterans Disability Lawyers assist you in finding evidence to support your request.

It's not uncommon for the VA to make mistakes that lead to a lower disability rating than you deserve. It's recommended to consult an expert to review your records for mistakes. They could have missed an injury or omitted a problem which could be combined with another disability to earn a higher rating.

Even when it's been over a year since your initial rating decision, you still have the option of filing an additional review or claim. These require a complete review of your file. It could result in the change of your effective date or an updated rating that is more accurate to how you feel.

It's also worth pursuing an additional claim or a more thorough review if you're entitled to a disability grade that is 100 percent or more. A disability lawyer can help you put together an argument that is convincing for veterans disability lawyers this type of rating that is reserved for those with serious disabilities. For instance the mental health issue could be a reason to get 100% disability ratings due to the fact that it causes significant interruption to work or periods of hospitalization, which don't normally trigger such an assessment for a cardiovascular disease or other medical issue.

Getting Help with the Appeals Process

Contrary to what some may believe, the denial of claims for disability by the VA isn't the end of an individual's chances to get benefits. In fact, a former soldier is given one year from the date the local veterans' hospital or office mails them a negative decision to appeal.

An experienced lawyer for veterans can assist a veteran in determining which of the three appeals options is the best option for their situation. They can also help an individual in assembling the evidence needed to convince a higher-level reviewer that their previous decision was wrong. They may also give a veteran an additional formal hearing front of a Veterans Law judge.

A New York veteran disability lawyer can provide you with the personal attention you require for your claim. They are also likely to have a vast experience handling VA disability claims and are aware of the rules and procedures in and out. Additionally, some lawyers are veterans themselves, which means they are aware of the difficulties disabled veterans have to face. This creates a distinct type of empathy that can help improve the outcome of a veterans disability case.

Sullivan & Kehoe can review your VA disability claim at no cost to determine if we are able to help you. Contact us today for an appointment for a free evaluation.