veterans disability lawyers (please click the next web page)

A veteran disability lawyer can help you through the entire claim process. From gathering medical and service proof to filing an appeal against a denied claim, a veteran disability lawyer can assist you throughout the entire claim process.

Choose a veteran disability attorney who specializes in these cases and is well-versed with the VA system. This will ensure that your case receives the attention it deserves.

Proving Service Connection

The VA will only approve disability benefits if you can prove that the condition you suffer from is connected to your military service. This is referred to as a nexus. There are various types of evidence you could prove the connection, including medical records, independent medical examinations (IME) and nexus letters from current healthcare providers or therapists (especially for mental health issues). Sometimes veterans have medically determinable disabilities, but are not able to be connected due to incomplete or insufficient military treatment records. These cases require the assistance of experienced New York disability lawyers who know how to present an accurate claim and submit evidence that is backed by independent experts.

It is much easier to prove a direct service connection when illnesses or injuries occurred while you served in the military. For example, if you were struck in the head in the course of your service and suffer from concussions and headaches, there is a clear connection between those events and your current condition.

However, it's more difficult to get connected if you suffer from an existing medical condition that worsened while you were in the military. To prove that your time in service aggravated or made worse an existing condition, you must supply expert medical evidence that reaches the level of "clear and undeniable" proof.

Appealing a Denied Application

The VA will review your case after you have submitted your application and provided medical proof. The VA will typically issue a decision approving or denying benefits. If the decision is unfavorable, the veteran has one year to make a notice of disagreement. A veterans disability attorney can guide the claimant through the three decision review options - either a supplemental claim or a more advanced review, or a direct appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

Consider whether the lawyer understands your military experience as well as the tradition of the armed services when choosing the New York veterans' disability lawyer. This can make it easier for you and reduce the requirement to explain your situation and experiences in layman's.

You need a firm that will handle your case through the lengthy appeals process. Beware of firms who only assist you with the initial stages of your claim, and then disappear.

A seasoned New York veterans' disability attorney can assist you at all stages of the claim including appeals. They can help you submit additional medical evidence, request a formal hearing and represent you at any Board meetings to ensure that your case is handled in a fair manner. They can also help win you benefits, such as cash compensations, aid or attendance benefits, educational benefits, or unemployability.

Earning a higher rating

There could be a point when your disability becomes more serious or your symptoms become broader or more challenging. It makes sense in this instance to seek an increase in rating. A veteran disability lawyer can assist you in this process, and also help you gather evidence to back your claim.

It's not unusual to see the VA to make errors, which could result in an under-rated rating than you deserve. It's worth contacting an expert to look over your records for mistakes. They may have overlooked an injury or left out any issue that could have been in conjunction with another disability to earn a higher rating.

You are still able to make a higher-level claim, or review if you've been given a rating for more than one calendar year. These require a complete review of your dossier and may result in a change to your effective date or an updated rating that is more accurate to what you really feel.

It's also worth looking into an additional claim or a more thorough review if you believe you're entitled to a disability rate of 100 percent or higher. An attorney for disability can assist you in putting together a convincing argument for this type of rating which is reserved for very severe disabilities. A mental illness like this one, for instance, may make you eligible for a 100 percent disability rating because it can interfere with employment or result in frequent hospitalizations that do not normally trigger this level for a cardiovascular problem or any other medical condition.

Assistance with the Appeals Process

Despite what some believe that denial of claims for disability by the VA is not the end of a person's chances to collect benefits. In fact, a former servicemember has a year from the date that the local veteran's hospital or office sends them a negative decision to file an appeal.

A skilled veterans disability lawyer can help a veteran determine which of the three appeals options is best for their case. They can also assist veterans gather all the evidence required to convince a higher-level reviewer that their previous decision was wrong. They may even be able to provide veterans with a formal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The benefit of having a New York veteran disability attorney handle your appeal is that they are able to provide the personal attention your claim needs. They also have a vast experience dealing with VA disability claims and are aware of the rules and procedures in and out. Some lawyers are veterans, and therefore know the challenges faced by disabled veterans. This creates an unique type of empathy that can make a difference in the outcome of a disability claim for veterans.

The Sullivan & Kehoe team of experienced lawyers can evaluate your VA disability claims for no cost to determine if we are able to assist you. Contact us today for your free evaluation.