How a Veterans Disability Attorney Can Help You Get the Benefits You Deserve
The process of obtaining veterans disability benefits can be overwhelming. A good veterans disability attorney will guide you from beginning to end.
It is essential to locate an attorney who has experience in disability law and who handles these cases at all levels of appeal. This will ensure you receive the best legal representation.
Appeals
If the VA denies a claim or fails to approve benefits, it allows the veteran or his spouse who survives to file an appeal. Even the most basic disability claim can be a challenge for this lengthy and complicated procedure. A veterans disability lawyer can help you understand the various options available and help you get the benefits you deserve.
One of the main reasons people are required to submit a disability claim is that they are not satisfied with the disability rating they have received. In this case, a lawyer can ensure that the evidence is there to support an appropriate rating based on a disabling condition caused by or aggravated by military service.
Another reason that people tend to need a
Freehold veterans disability law Firm disability lawyer is that they've waited too long to get their benefits. The lawyer can help determine what documents are missing and then submit a request to the VA for those records.
A veteran disability lawyer can alleviate the burden of dealing with the VA away from you. This will allow you to concentrate on your health and other obligations you might have. Some attorneys are veterans themselves which can give them a unique type of compassion for their clients. They also give them a greater stake in their cases. This can make a big difference in the outcome of the appeal.
Higher-Level Reviews
east wenatchee veterans disability attorney are able to appeal VA decisions in the event of disagreement. The Higher-Level Review option is a decision-review option that permits an experienced reviewer to look at the same evidence as in the original claim and make a fresh determination. The senior reviewer can either confirm or reverse the previous decision to rate.
A veteran or their representative can request an informal conference to discuss the matter with the senior reviewer. However only one conference is allowed. It is essential to be prepared and be able to present the facts of your case in a clear manner at this time. A lawyer for veterans may help you prepare for and participate in the informal conference.
Higher-level reviews are usually used to correct mistakes made by the reviewer who was earlier in a disability case that result in mistakenly interpreting evidence or committing errors in the law. Senior reviewers can correct these mistakes by changing the previous decision, but only when it is in the best interest of the claimant.
The more thorough review may result in a hearing for the claimant which is an opportunity to speak with the person who is reviewing the claim and explain the arguments. A lawyer for
southfield veterans disability lawyer disability can help you determine whether or not it is required to request a personal hearing, and with making and presenting the evidence at the hearing.
Notice of Disagreement
Once the VA has reviewed your claim and made an assessment, you may file a notice of disagreement within one year from the date that the local office sends you the original denial letter. The VA will review the case again and prepare a Statement of the Case.
To file a complaint, you should use VA Form 21-958. A disability lawyer can help you complete the form in a way that is effective in appealing the decision. You do not have to list every reason you don't agree with the VA's decision, but it is best to be specific in order to assist the VA to understand what you believe is wrong. Your attorney can help you on the evidence you should submit with the NOD, like statements from medical professionals or the results of diagnostic tests.
If your appeal is rejected at this point, you can request that it be reviewed by a senior judge through an Higher Level Review. The process can take between 25 and approximately 25 months. You should be in contact with your attorney throughout the process. If the VA denies your claim, your lawyer can request an appeal before a Veterans Law judge to present evidence and testimony in person. Your lawyer will prepare your check when your claim is accepted.
Statement of the Case
Congress has passed a variety of laws to make sure that veterans are compensated for injuries, illnesses, and other conditions caused by their service. The VA is a big bureaucracy and it's easy to become lost. A veteran disability lawyer can assist in navigating the process and provide vital assistance for claimants.
The VA must review the case after a veteran has filed the Notice of Dispute to the local VA office. This involves examining the laws, regulations and evidence used to make the original decision. This also includes looking at the medical records of the veterans and, if needed lay statements. The VA must send the claimant a Statement of the Case, which contains a list of all evidence it examined.
The declaration should be written simple and clear, and also explain the reasoning behind the decision, including the interpretation of the laws and regulations that affect the case. It should address the allegations made by the plaintiff in his or her NOD.
The Veteran will receive the Statement of Case within 120 days of the date that the NOD was filed. Due to the VA backlog, it could take the agency longer to issue the document. If you're a veteran who is appealing a decision on your rating or claim for benefits, get in touch with a veterans disability lawyer from Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C.