VA Lawyer in My Area

Update:

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.

VA Lawyer in My Area

Receiving VA disability benefits is not an automatic process. In order to access these benefits, a disabled veteran must file a benefits claim online, by mail, or at his or her local VA office.

What a VA Benefits Lawyer Can Do for You

You do not have to work with a lawyer to file your VA benefits claim. However, working with a lawyer can make the process easier because a VA benefits lawyer understands the process for filing and pursuing a claim and can ensure the following:

• Your claim is filled out and filed correctly;
• A sufficient amount of evidence to support the claim is filed alongside it;
• The claim does not exceed any deadlines; and
• If the claim is denied, you are fully aware of your options for appealing it.

VA benefits claims are regularly denied for a variety of reasons, including a lack of sufficient evidence to support the claims and the erroneous belief on the VA’s part that the veteran is not disabled severely enough to warrant benefits. When a claim is denied, an experienced VA lawyer can appeal the decision and take steps to increase its chances of being approved. This could mean providing additional evidence to support the claim or revising the information provided with the claim.

Understanding Your Rights as a Disabled Veteran

As a disabled veteran, you have certain rights to VA benefits. These rights include the right to receive benefits for disabilities, directly and indirectly, related to your time in the service, such as a leg lost in combat or a case of mesothelioma that developed years after being exposed to asbestos while working on a Navy ship. Additionally, your spouse may qualify for VA benefits.

Common conditions for which disabled veterans receive benefits include:

• Cancer;
• Gulf War syndrome;
• Post-traumatic stress disorder;
• Back and neck pain;
• Hearing loss;
• Vision loss; and
• Traumatic brain injuries.

When your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the VA’s decision. Be sure to retain a lawyer as soon as possible after your claim is denied because you only have a brief window of time to appeal the decision.

Work with an Experienced Illinois VA Benefits Lawyer

As a disabled veteran, you could be entitled to receive certain benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. When you are pursuing these benefits, it is in your best interest to work with an experienced Illinois VA benefits lawyer. Get started with a member of our team at the Comerford Law Office, LLC today to learn more about your rights and to move forward with your claim. Call us at 312-863-8572 now to set up your free legal consultation.