Veterans Disability Lawyers

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

Choose a veteran disability lawyer who focuses their practice on dealing with these cases, and who knows the VA's system inside and out. This will ensure that your case receives the attention it deserves.

Proving Service Connection

The VA will only award disability benefits if they can prove that the condition is linked to your military service. This is called a nexus. There are various types of evidence you could demonstrate this connection, including medical records as well as independent medical examinations (IME) and nexus letters from current health professionals or therapists (especially for mental health conditions). There are times where veterans are diagnosed with medical disabilities, but they are not able to be considered service connected due to insufficient or missing documents. These cases require the help of experienced New York disability lawyers who know how to make a complete claim and present evidence that is supported by unbiased experts.

It is much easier to establish that there is a direct connection to your service for injuries or illnesses that occurred while you were in the military. For example, if you received a head injury in the course of your service and suffer headaches and concussions, there is a clear link between those events and your current health condition.

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

Appealing a Denied Application

After submitting an application and submitting medical evidence after which the VA will examine the case. The VA will usually issue a decision approving or denying benefits. If the decision is unfavorable the veteran is given one year to file a Notice of Disparagement. A veterans disability lawyer can assist the applicant navigate the three decision review options -- a supplemental claim, higher-level review or an appeal directly to the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

When deciding on a New York veterans disability lawyer Make sure you consider whether they are familiar with your military experience and military's culture. This will make it easier for you and decrease the necessity to explain your circumstances and experiences in layman's terms.

You also want a firm who will remain on your case throughout the entire duration of your appeal. Beware of companies that will only help you with the initial stages of your claim, and then disappear.

An experienced New York veterans' disability attorney can assist you at all stages of the claim and appeals. They can assist you in submitting more medical evidence, veterans disability lawyer file an official hearing, and also represent you in any Board sessions to ensure that your case is handled in a fair and fair manner. They can also help you get your benefits, including monetary compensation, aid and attendance, educational benefits, or unemployment benefits.

Getting a Higher Rating

It could be that your disability becomes worse or your symptoms become more severe. In that situation it's sensible to ask for a higher rating. A veterans disability lawyer can assist with this process, and assist you in locating evidence to justify your request.

It's not common for the VA to make mistakes that lead to an under-reported disability rating than you deserve. If they overlook an injury you've suffered or ignore a condition that could be linked with other disabilities to earn an improved rating, it's worth having an expert look over your records to find any mistakes.

You can still file a higher-level claim and review if you have been evaluated for more than a calendar year. These involve a full review of your file, and could result in an amendment to your effective date or a new rating that's more accurate to how you truly feel.

It's also worth pursuing an additional claim or a higher-level review if you're trying to argue that you are entitled to a disability rating of 100 percent or greater. A disability lawyer can assist you in putting together an argument that supports this kind of rating, that is reserved for those with debilitating disabilities. A mental health condition like this one, for instance, may allow you to receive a 100 percentage disability rating since it can hinder employment or trigger frequent hospitalizations that would not normally trigger this level of a cardiovascular problem or any other medical condition.

Need Help with the Appeals Process

Despite what some people may believe that denying an application for disability benefits by the VA isn't the end of an individual's chances to get benefits. In fact, a former servicemember is given one year from the date the local veterans' hospital or office sends them a decision that is not favorable to file an appeal.

An experienced veterans disability lawyer can help a veteran determine which of the three ways to appeal is most appropriate for their particular situation. They can also assist veterans in obtaining the evidence needed 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.

A New York veteran disability lawyer will give you the individualized attention you require for your claim. They also have extensive experience handling VA disability claims and understand the rules and procedures in and out. Some lawyers are veterans, so they are aware of the difficulties that disabled veterans face. This creates a unique type of empathy that can enhance the outcome of a veterans disability lawsuit disability case.

Sullivan & Kehoe can review your VA disability claim at no cost to determine if we are able to help you. Contact us today to arrange your complimentary evaluation.