What Is Veterans Disability Lawyer And How To Use It

How to File a veterans disability (Read Homepage) Case

Many veterans enter military service with health issues that they don't report or treat. They figure they will be cured or disappear after a while.

But as time passes, the problems become more severe. Now they need help from the VA to receive compensation. The VA doesn't believe the VA.

Getting Started

Many veterans are waiting for years before submitting a disability claim. Many veterans wait for years before making a claim for disability. For this reason, it is important to start the process as soon as the symptoms of disability become severe enough. Let the VA know that you intend to make a claim at later time by submitting an intent to file. This will help you determine an earlier effective date and will make it easier for you to claim your back pay.

It is important that you include all relevant evidence when you submit your initial claim. You must include all medical records from civilian hospitals and clinics related to the injuries or illnesses you intend to claim, and military documents.

The VA will examine your claim and obtain additional evidence from you and your healthcare providers. Once they have all the information they require, they will schedule an appointment for you to take a Compensation and Pension Exam (C&P) in order to determine your rating.

It is recommended to do this prior to your separation physical, so that it is recorded as a service-connected disability, even in the event that the rating is 0 percent. This will make it easier to file for an increased rating in the future when your condition becomes worse.

Documentation

It is essential to submit all the documentation required to your VA disability lawyer in order to receive the benefits to which you are entitled. This can include medical records, service records and letters from relatives, friends or colleagues who understand how your disability affects you.

Your VSO can assist you in gathering the necessary documentation. This could include medical records from the VA hospital, private physician's reports, diagnostic tests and other evidence to prove that you suffer from a debilitating condition and that it was caused by or made worse through your service in the Armed Forces.

VA will then examine the evidence to determine your disability rating. This is accomplished using an approved schedule by Congress that designates which disabilities are eligible to be compensated and at what percentage.

If VA determines that you are eligible for disability benefits, they will notify you in writing of their decision. They will also send all the necessary documents to Social Security. If they decide that you do not have a qualifying disability then the VSO will return the document to you, and you can appeal this decision within a certain time period.

A VA attorney in Kalamazoo can help you gather the evidence you need to support your claim. Our veterans advocate can collect medical documentation and opinions from independent medical examiners as well as a letter from the VA treating physician about your condition.

Meeting with a VSO

A VSO can assist with a range of programs beyond disability compensation, including vocational rehabilitation and employment, home loans as well as group life insurance, medical benefits, military burial benefits, and many more. They will look over all of your service records and medical information to find out the federal programs you're eligible for and to fill out the required paperwork for you to apply.

Many accredited representatives work for VA-accredited/federally chartered veterans service organizations (VSOs), which are private non-profit groups that advocate on behalf of Veterans, Servicemembers, and their families. They are authorized to represent the interests of a Veteran or dependent with claims for any federal benefit.

Once the VA has all your evidence, they will go through it and give you a disability score depending on the severity of your symptoms. A VSO can discuss your rating, and additional state benefits to which you may be eligible, veterans disability after you have received an answer from the federal VA.

The VSO can assist you in requesting an appointment with the VA in the event that you are dissatisfied with a decision of the federal VA. Under the Appeals Modernization Act, there are three "lanes" available for an appeal which include a supplemental claim an additional level review or an appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals. A VSO can help you decide which appeal/review options are best for your situation.

Appeal

The VA appeals process is lengthy and complicated. It could take a full time of up to a year before you receive an answer, based on the AMA choice you make and whether your case is eligible for priority processing. An experienced disability attorney can assist you in determining the best course of action and may make an appeal on your behalf, if needed.

There are three options to appeal a denial of veterans benefits Each one requires different amounts of time. A lawyer can assist you in deciding the best option for you and will explain the VA disability appeals process to help you know what to expect.

If you want to forgo the DRO review and go directly to the BVA you must file a Form 9 formal appeal and Veterans Disability wait for your regional office to forward your case to the Board. The BVA will then issue an Statement of Case (SOC). You may request an individual hearing before the BVA but it's not required.

A supplemental claim gives you the chance to present new and relevant evidence for the VA. This can include medical evidence, but also non-medical proof such as lay statements. A lawyer can submit these statements and request independent medical tests as well an expert's opinion from a vocational specialist on your behalf. If the BVA declines your supplemental claim, you can submit an appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.