How A Veterans Benefits Attorney Can Help You When Your Claim Gets Denied

How A Veterans Benefits Attorney Can Help You When Your Claim Gets Denied

Receiving a denial for a claim that you know is legitimate is one of the most frustrating things you can experience. It can be even worse for military veterans.

Let’s be honest. The VA probably denied your claim in a faster amount of time than it took for you to file. Even though having your claim denied is frustrating, it’s common. Many agencies will deny a claim hoping that the claimants don’t seek an appeal. But filing an appeal is exactly what you need to do.

The Appeal Process

Your disability appeal process starts with choosing how you want to approach your appeal. There are three decisions that you can choose from:

• Board of veterans’ appeals. With this option, you can request that a Veterans law judge review your claim.
• Higher-level review. With this option, you can ask the VA to review your claim using the evidence already in your file.
• Supplemental claim. This option allows you to ask the VA to review your original claim with the new evidence you’ve presented.

While there is no right or wrong decision, you may want to choose your process based on the reason why your claim was denied. For example, a higher-level review process is great if you disagree with the VA’s disability rating.

What A Veterans Benefits Attorney Can Do

Before deciding which route to take your appeal, you may want to consult with a veterans benefits attorney. A skilled attorney can make the appeal process less complex for you. Their expertise can decide on the best approach to take your appeal. Veterans benefits attorneys can review your file, the agency’s decision, and how to proceed with your appeal.

Filing a Notice Of Disagreement (NOD)

A veterans benefits attorney can assist you with filing your Notice of Disagreement (NOD). Because the process is stressful, you may be overcome by emotions while filing. A veterans benefits attorney can inform the VA why you deserve to have your claim reviewed again. A veterans benefits attorney can also provide the right information to include in your NOD.

Many veterans may mistake providing too much information in their notices. An attorney knows how to limit the information you need to include in your NOD while mentioning the important details.

Choose The Best Appeal For You

A veterans benefits attorney can also help you choose the best appeal process for your claim. Your attorney can help you either prepare your appeal to a decision review officer (DRO) or for the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). Even if a DRO denies your claim, you still have the option of appealing to the BVA. An attorney can help prepare you for either case.

Discuss Your Case With A Veterans Benefits Attorney Today

To learn more about the VA disability appeal process, speak with a veterans benefits attorney at the Comerford Law Office. Call our office, or submit our contact form today to schedule an initial consultation.