Veterans Disability Lawyers

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

Select a veteran disability attorney who is specialized 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 provide disability benefits if they can prove that the condition you suffer from is linked to your military service. This is referred to as a nexus. There are various types of evidence you could prove this connection, such as medical records as well as independent medical examinations (IME) and the nexus letter from your current health professionals or therapists (especially for mental health issues). Sometimes veterans have medically determinable disabilities but aren't able to get connected due to missing or incomplete military treatment records. These cases require the assistance of skilled New York disability attorneys who are able to present an entire claim and provide evidence backed by unbiased experts.

It is much easier to establish a direct connection when illnesses or injuries occurred during your time in the military. For instance, if you were hit in the head during service and now suffer headaches and concussions, there is a clear connection between these events and your current health condition.

It is harder to get connected to the military if you suffered from an existing condition that got worse during your military service. To prove that your service has aggravated or worsened an existing illness it is necessary to provide expert medical evidence that reaches the level of "clear and undeniable" evidence.

Appealing a Denied Application

After submitting an application and submitting medical evidence The VA will review the application. It usually issues a decision that either approves or denies benefits. If the decision isn't favorable, the veteran is given one year to make a formal complaint. A veterans disability lawyer can help the claimant navigate the three review options that include the supplemental claim, the higher-level review, or a direct appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

When selecting when choosing a New York veterans disability lawyer, be sure to consider whether they understand your military experience and the culture of the armed forces. This can make it simpler for you to understand and reduce the need to explain your situations and experiences in a layman's way.

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

A seasoned New York veterans' disability lawyer can assist you in all stages of the claim including appeals. They can assist you in submitting more medical evidence, ask for an official hearing and represent you in any Board sessions to ensure that your case is handled fairly. They can also help win you benefits such as monetary compensations, aid and attendance benefits, educational benefits, or unemployedness.

Receiving a Better Rating

There could be a point where your disability gets more severe, or your symptoms get more complicated or broad. It is logical in this situation to ask for an increase in the rating. A veterans disability lawyer can help with that process, and assist you in finding evidence to support your request.

It's not uncommon for the VA to make mistakes that lead to an lower disability rating than you deserve. It's worth contacting an expert to look over your records for any errors. They might have missed an injury or missed the issue that could be added to another disability to get a higher rating.

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

If you think you're worthy of an assessment of 100 percent or higher, consider requesting a supplemental claim. A disability lawyer can help you make a convincing case for this rating which is only available for the most severe of disabilities. For instance an illness that is mental could qualify you for an absolute disability rating because it can cause marked disruption to your work or frequent periods of hospitalization, which don't normally trigger such a rating for a cardiovascular disease or other medical issue.

Assistance with the Appeals Process

Despite what some people may believe the denial of an application for disability benefits by the VA isn't the end of an individual's ability to recover benefits. Former service members have a year to appeal the decision if it is not favorable.

An experienced veterans disability lawyer can assist a veteran to determine which of the three current pathways for appealing would be the best option for their situation. They can also assist an individual in assembling the evidence required to convince a higher-level reviewer their previous decision was wrong. They may even be able to provide veterans with a more formal hearing before a veterans disability law firm Law Judge.

A New York veteran disability lawyer can give you the personalized attention that your claim needs. They will also have extensive experience in handling VA disability claims, and they know the rules and procedures inside out. Some attorneys are veterans disability law firm, and therefore are aware of the difficulties faced by disabled veterans. This creates a unique kind of empathy that can make a difference in the outcome of a veterans disability case.

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