If you have an illness or injury that occurred during military service or worsened afterward, you may be eligible for disability compensation. VA claims can be complex and lengthy.
Attorneys can help navigate the claims and appeals processes. They can also assist with gathering evidence and requesting medical exams.
Walks You Through His Agreement
Hiring a lawyer can assist you in receiving the compensation you are entitled to. In addition to filing the appropriate paperwork, veterans benefits attorneys can assist you in locating essential documents like medical bills and records, and they may even request an independent medical exam for you.
When you hire an attorney, make sure he discusses how much the services will cost before he starts working on your case. Some lawyers charge a fixed fee for their services, while others demand a portion of the VA’s retroactive payments or awards paid to your lawyer. Both payment methods should be spelled out clearly in the attorney’s fee agreement with you.
Comfortable With His Agreement
The VA is a massive bureaucracy, and it can take time to get benefits approved. This is why it is essential to work with a veterans disability lawyer who knows how to expedite the process and get you in and out of the VA quickly and efficiently.
Experienced lawyers at PTSDLawyers.com help veterans qualify for disability compensation based on an illness or injury caused by or aggravated by military service. The law is clear that these disabilities should be recognized and awarded to those who serve.
Under current law, veteran attorneys cannot charge for assisting with filing an initial claim. However, they can charge to help with veterans’ appeals of a denied or low disability rating award. This information is generally outlined in your fee agreement with the attorney.
Experienced
If you hire a veteran’s disability lawyer, ensure he has experience handling VA claims. VA benefits are complicated, and the bureaucracy can be incredibly frustrating. An expert attorney can help you negotiate these complications and win your claim.
A veteran’s disability lawyer can also help you gather evidence and submit it in compliance with the VA’s strict guidelines. For example, the VA requires that you provide medical bills and records. Your lawyer may also need to request an independent medical exam, and he will know how to obtain the necessary documentation to support your case.
A lawyer can file a Notice of Disagreement with the local VA office if your claim is denied. This will reopen your case and allow you to appeal the decision. He will also review the C&P exams and other evidence to determine whether your rating is fair. He will also look for ways to extend your effective date so that you can receive all the benefits that you’re entitled to.
Consultation
When you hire a lawyer to help you file a new disability claim or appeal a denial of a previous claim, it is his duty under the law to review all of your service and private medical records. In addition, he must request any new exams necessary for you to win your case.
If your claim involves a mental health condition such as PTSD or TBI, he will also be responsible for hiring a psychiatrist and psychologist to conduct an independent evaluation. If your claim is based on total disability for individual unemployability (TDIU), your attorney must hire a vocational expert.
Fortunately, most veteran disability lawyers will charge you only when they successfully win your claim.