Veterans Disability Lawyers

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

Choose a lawyer for veterans disability lawsuit that is solely dealing with these cases and who is familiar with the VA's system inside and out. This will ensure that your case receives the care it deserves.

Proving Service Connection

The VA will only grant disability benefits if it's confirmed that your illness is connected to your military service. This is referred to as a nexus. You can use different types of evidence to prove the connection. This includes medical records, independent health exams (IME) or a an nexus note from current health care providers (especially in the situation of mental health conditions). There are instances when veterans have medically determinable disabilities, but they cannot be considered to be service-connected due the absence of or insufficient documents. These cases require the help of experienced New York disability lawyers who know how to present a complete claim and present evidence that is supported by independent experts.

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

It is difficult to be connected to the military if you suffered from a pre-existing condition that worsened while you were in military service. In order to prove that your service worsened or aggravated an existing illness you must provide a doctor's medical evidence that reaches the level of "clear and undeniable" evidence.

Appealing a Denial

After filing an application and providing medical evidence after which the VA will examine the case. The VA will usually issue an opinion either approving or denial of benefits. If the decision is deemed unfavorable the veteran is given one year to file a Notice of Disagreement. A veterans disability attorney can help the claimant navigate through the three decision review options - the supplemental claim, or a higher-level review, or an direct appeal before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

When selecting a New York veterans disability lawyer, be sure to consider whether they understand your military experience and military's culture. This will make the process more enjoyable and reduce the need for you to explain your experience and circumstances in plain English.

You should also find a firm who will continue to work on your case for the entire multi-year appeals process. Beware of firms that assist you with the first stages of your claim and then go away.

A seasoned New York veterans disability attorney can assist with all stages of your claim and appeals, including the appeals procedure. 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 dealt with fairly. They can also help win you benefits such as monetary compensations, aid and education benefits, attendance benefits, or veterans disability lawyer even unemployment.

Earning a higher rating

It may happen that your disability gets worse or your symptoms are more severe. In this case it is sensible to seek an increase in your rating. A veteran disability lawyer can assist you with this process and help collect evidence to back your claim.

It's not uncommon for the VA to make mistakes that result in a lower rating than you deserve. If they miss an injury you've suffered or overlook a problem that could be linked with other disabilities to receive an increase in rating It's a good idea to have an expert review your records to identify any errors.

You can still file a higher-level claim or review if you have been assessed for more than a calendar year. These are a thorough examination of your file. It could result in a change to your effective date or a new rating that's more accurate to how you feel.

It's also advisable to file a supplemental claim or higher-level review if you're entitled to a disability grade of 100 percent or greater. An attorney for disability can help you create an argument that supports this type of rating that is reserved for those with debilitating disabilities. For instance, a mental health condition could qualify you for a 100% disability rating because it can cause marked disturbance to your job or frequent periods of hospitalization. These don't usually trigger this level of rating for cardiovascular disease or other medical issue.

Help with the Appeals Process

Despite what some believe that denial of an appeal for veterans disability lawyer disability by the VA is not the end of an individual's chance to collect benefits. Former service members have one year to appeal the decision if it is not favorable.

A skilled veterans disability attorney can assist a veteran in determining which of the three appeal options would be best for his situation. They can also help an individual vet put all the evidence required to convince a higher-level reviewer that their previous decision was wrong. They may also give a veteran a more formal hearing in before a Veterans Law judge.

The benefit of having an New York veteran disability attorney handle your appeal is that they are able to give you the individual attention your claim deserves. They also have a vast experience handling VA disability claims and know the rules and procedures in and out. Some lawyers are veterans, and therefore know the challenges faced by disabled veterans disability lawyer. This creates a unique type of empathy that may help improve the outcome of a case involving a disabled veteran.

Sullivan & Kehoe can review your VA disability claim for free to determine if we are able to help you. Contact us today for an appointment for a free evaluation.