This post describes the VA disability appeals process for decisions issued prior to February 19, 2019. Decisions received after that date are subject to the new VA appeals process.
Veterans who are injured in the line of duty are entitled to receive veterans benefits after they have been discharged. While in many cases, it is quite easy to prove that a disability was caused in the line of duty, in other cases it requires considerably more effort. In these instances, you may need a Highland veterans benefits lawyer.
In either event, you are entitled to collect benefits if you have been injured during your service to the country. The Highland veterans benefits attorneys at Comerford Law Office help disabled vets apply for veterans benefits. Our attorneys can help you manage every aspect of your case from the application process, to proving that your medical condition is related to your military service, to filing a form 9 or a notice of disagreement in order to appeal a denial of benefits. Talk to our attorneys either online or give us a call and we can begin discussing how you should proceed today.
Applying for disability benefits is the easy part. There are veterans services organizations that may be of some help with the application process.
You can apply for veterans benefits in three different ways: either online, by mailing in your form, or over the phone at 800-827-1000.
As part of the application process, you will need to list your medical conditions and symptoms. Your best option here is to keep it simple and to the point. If you have a known condition, you can simply state that. Eventually, the VA will ask for medical records or other information concerning your claim. The key to having a solid claim is to be able to link your medical condition to some incident or event that happened while you were on active duty. This is not always as easy as it sounds.
You will want to be specific as to when you began experiencing symptoms and the approximate dates of events that you associate with your condition.
You do not need to submit medical information merely to file a claim. The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) will eventually ask you for that information.
If the VBA denies your claim, you have the option to appeal that decision. This requires you to file a form 9 or a notice of disagreement. In it, you will list the reasons why you believe the VBA has made an error and advocate for your belief that you should be entitled to benefits.
In many cases, it is at this point that those applying for veterans benefits enlist the aid of a lawyer. Most laypeople are not able to put forth a valid medical argument that contradicts the VBA’s rationale. You will need to get medical evidence to support your claim.
The attorneys at Comerford Law Office have proudly represented those who put their lives on the line for our country. Give us a call or contact us online and we can begin advocating on your behalf.