Veterans Disability Lawyers

A veteran disability lawyer will guide you through the entire claim process. From assembling medical and service evidence to submitting an appeal of the denial of your claim.

Choose a veterans disability attorney who focuses their practice on handling these cases and knows the VA system from head to toe. This will ensure your case is given the attention it deserves.

Proving Service Connection

The VA will only grant disability benefits if you prove that the condition you suffer from is linked to your military service. This is referred to as a linkage. There are various types of evidence you could prove the connection, such as medical records, independent medical examinations (IME), and nexus letters from current healthcare providers or therapists (especially for Veterans Disability Lawyers mental health conditions). There are occasions when veterans disability lawsuit have medically determinable disabilities, but cannot be considered service-connected due to the absence of or insufficient records. These cases require the assistance of skilled New York disability attorneys who know how to present an entire claim as well as submit evidence backed by impartial experts.

It is simpler to prove direct service connection for injuries or illnesses that occurred while you were in the military. For instance, if received a head injury in the course of your service and suffer headaches and concussions there is a clear link between these events and the current condition you are suffering from.

However, it is more difficult to get connected if you suffer from a pre-existing medical condition that became worse when you were in the military. To prove that your service has aggravated or exacerbated a pre-existing condition, you will need to present medical evidence that is "clear and undeniable".

Appealing to a Denial

The VA will review your case after you have submitted your application and provided medical evidence. The VA usually issues an opinion either approving or denial of benefits. If the decision is not in favor the veteran is given one year to submit a Notice of Disagreement. A disability attorney for veterans can guide the claimant through the three decision review options - a supplemental claim or higher-level review, or a direct appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

When selecting a New York veterans disability lawyer Make sure you consider whether they have a good understanding of your military experiences and the traditions of the armed forces. This can make the process more relaxed and eliminate the need for you to explain your experiences and situations in plain language.

You also need a company who will remain on your case for the entire multi-year appeals process. Be wary of companies that help you with the initial stages of your claim, and then go away.

A seasoned New York veterans' disability lawyer can assist you in every stage of your claim including appeals. They can help you submit additional medical evidence, request an official hearing and represent you in any Board meetings to ensure your case will be dealt with in a fair manner. They can also assist you to win your benefits, including monetary compensation, aid and attendance, education benefits or unemployed benefits.

How can I get a better rating

It may happen that your disability gets worse or your symptoms become more severe. In this case it's logical to request an increase in your rating. A veteran disability lawyer can assist you with this process and assist you to collect evidence to back your claim.

It's not unusual for the VA to make mistakes that result in an lower disability rating than you deserve. In the event that they fail to notice an injury or miss a condition that could be linked with other disabilities to earn an improved rating It's worthwhile to have an expert review your records to identify any errors.

Even if it's been more than a year since your initial rating decision, you have the option of filing a higher-level review or supplemental 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 in line with how you truly feel.

If you think you're worthy of an assessment of 100 percent or higher, it's worth making a claim for supplemental benefits. A disability attorney can help you put together an argument that is convincing for this type of rating, which is reserved for very debilitating disabilities. For example the mental health issue could be a reason to get an 100% disability rating due to the fact that it causes significant interruption to work or periods of hospitalization. These don't typically trigger this kind of rating for cardiovascular illness or other medical issues.

Getting help with the Appeals Process

Contrary to what many believe contrary to what many may think, an VA denial of disability benefits doesn't mean that an individual is in no position to claim benefits. Former service members have a year to appeal any decision that isn't favorable.

An experienced veterans disability lawyer can assist a veteran to determine which of the three current ways to appeal is best for their case. They can also assist veterans gather the evidence needed to convince a higher-level reviewer that their previous decision was wrong. They can also provide a veteran with a more formal hearing in front of an Veterans Law judge.

A New York veteran disability lawyer can provide you with the personal attention that your claim needs. They also have extensive experience handling VA disability claims, and they know the rules and procedures both inside and outside. Additionally, some lawyers are veterans themselves, which means that they understand the issues disabled veterans have to face. This can create a special kind of empathy that can sometimes improve the outcome of an issue involving veterans' disability.

Sullivan & Kehoe can review your VA disability claim for no cost to determine if we are able to assist you. Contact us now to schedule your complimentary evaluation.