What Makes The Veterans Disability Lawyer So Effective? In COVID-19

How to File a Veterans Disability Case

Many veterans join military service suffering from medical conditions that they don’t seek out or treat. They think that the problems will disappear over time or improve.

As time passes, the problems get worse. Now, they need help from the VA to get compensation. The VA does not believe in the VA.

Getting Started

Many veterans wait for years before filing a claim for disability. They may believe that they are able to handle the issue or that it will go away on its own without treatment. It is crucial to file the process as soon as the symptoms of disability become severe enough. If you are planning to pursue a claim in future you should inform the VA know by submitting an intent to submit form. This will allow for a later effective date, making it easier to receive your money for time you’ve already lost due to your disability.

When you file your initial claim, you need to include all relevant evidence. You should include all medical records from hospitals and clinics related to the ailments or injuries you intend to claim, and military records.

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

It is recommended to do this in parallel with your separation physical to ensure that it is recognized as a disability that is service-connected, even in the event that the rating is 0 percent. This will make it much easier to file for an increase in rating later on when your condition becomes worse.

Documentation

It is essential to provide all the required documentation to your VA disability lawyer to ensure that you receive the benefits to which you are entitled. This could include medical documents, service records as well as letters from family members, friends or coworkers who are aware of how your disability affects you.

Your VSO can help you gather the required documentation. This could include medical records from the VA Hospital and a private physician’s report or diagnostic tests, and other evidence to prove that you suffer from a chronic illness and that your service in the Armed Forces caused or worsened it.

The next step is for VA to examine the evidence and determine your disability rating. This is done by using a schedule created by Congress that defines the types of disabilities that are eligible for compensation and at what percentage.

If VA determines that you are suffering from a qualifying disability, they will notify you of this decision in writing, and then send the appropriate documents to Social Security for processing. If they find that you don’t have a qualifying disability and the VSO will return the document to you, and you can appeal this decision within a set time.

A VA attorney in Kalamazoo will assist you with gathering the evidence needed for your claim. Our kankakee veterans disability lawyer advocate can collect medical documentation and opinions from independent medical examiners, and a written statement from the VA treating doctor regarding your disability.

Meeting with VSO VSO

A VSO can assist with a wide range of programs, which extend beyond disability compensation. They can help with vocational rehabilitation, employment, home loans and group life insurance. They can also help with medical benefits as well as military burial benefits. They will look over all of your records from service, and medical records to find out which federal programs you are eligible for and fill out the required paperwork 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 Jonesborough Veterans Disability Lawsuit, Servicemembers, and their families. They are authorized to represent the interests of a Veteran or dependent with the claim of any federal benefit.

Once the VA has all of your evidence, they’ll review it and determine a disability classification depending on the severity of your symptoms. When you are given a determination by the federal VA, the VSO can discuss with you your rating and any additional state benefits you may be entitled to.

The VSO can also assist you to request an hearing with the VA to resolve an issue in case you disagree with a decision of the federal VA. Under the Appeals Modernization Act, there are three “lanes” available for an appeal that includes a supplemental claim, an additional level review or a Notice of Disagreement to the Board of Veterans Appeals. A VSO can assist you in deciding which appeal or review options are appropriate for your particular situation.

Appeal

The VA appeals process can be complicated and lengthy. Depending on which AMA lane is chosen and whether or not your case is handled in a priority manner this could mean it takes an extended time to receive a final decision. A veteran disability lawyer can help you determine the best path to follow and file a formal appeal on behalf of you if needed.

There are three options to appeal a denial of veterans benefits, but each takes different amounts of time. A lawyer can help you determine which option is best for you. They can also explain the VA disability appeals procedure so that you are aware of what to expect.

If you wish to bypass the DRO review in order to submit your case directly to BVA, then you must submit Form 9 and wait for the regional office to forward the file to the Board. The BVA will issue a Statement of Case (SOC). You can request a private hearing before the BVA but it’s not required.

A supplemental claim gives you the opportunity to provide new and relevant evidence to the VA. This could include medical evidence, but also non-medical proof like lay statements. A lawyer can make these statements and obtain independent medical tests as well an opinion of a vocational expert on your behalf. If the BVA rejects your supplemental claim you can appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.