The Most Underrated Companies To Watch In The Veterans Disability Compensation Industry
How a Veterans Disability Attorney Can Help You Get the Benefits You Deserve
The process of submitting an application for benefits for veterans disability can appear overwhelming. A qualified veterans disability lawyer can assist you from beginning to end.
It is essential to find a lawyer who has a limit on their law practice to disability cases and only handles these cases at every level of appeal. This will ensure you receive the best legal representation.
Appeal
If the VA refuses or fails to approve a claim, either the spouse of the deceased or veteran may appeal. It is a difficult and lengthy procedure that can be complicated even with the simplest disability claims. A veteran disability lawyer can help you understand all your options and obtain the benefits you deserve.
The most common reason for people to make a claim for disability is that they are not satisfied with their disability status. In this case a lawyer can be sure that there's enough evidence to support the appropriate rating based on a condition that is caused or worsened by military service.
A veterans disability lawyer may be needed by those who have had to wait too long for their benefits. The lawyer can assist in determining what documents are missing and then submit a request to the VA to obtain those documents.
A veterans disability lawyer can also take away the burden of dealing directly with the VA. This will give you the time to focus on your health and any other obligations you have. Certain attorneys are veterans themselves and this gives them a unique form of compassion for their clients and make them more invested in their cases. This could make a significant difference in the outcome of the appeal.
Higher-Level Reviews
Veterans have more recourse options to appeal VA decisions in the event of disagreement. The Higher-Level Review option is a decision-review option that permits an experienced reviewer examine the same evidence provided in the original claim, and make a new determination. The senior reviewer can affirm or reverse the previous decision to rate.
The veteran or their representative can request an informal meeting with the senior reviewer to discuss the case, however, only one such meeting is allowed. For this meeting it is important to prepare and present your case's facts in a clear way. An attorney for veterans disability lawsuits can assist you in preparing for and participate in the informal conference.
The higher-level review is often used to correct mistakes made by the previous reviewer of a disability claim. For example in the event that the previous reviewer misinterpreted evidence, or made errors in the law. Senior reviewers can correct these errors by altering the decision made previously however only when it is in the claimant's best interest.
A personal hearing could be arranged for the applicant as a result of the higher-level review. This gives the claimant to meet the person who will be reviewing their claim and discuss their arguments. A veterans disability lawyer can assist with determining whether or not it is necessary to request a private hearing, as well as with making and presenting the evidence at the hearing.
Notice of Disagreement
After the VA has assessed your claim and issued a decision, you can file a notice of disagreement within one year of the date the local office sends you the initial denial letter. The VA will review your case again and create a Statement of the Case.
To file a disagreement with the VA, you should fill out VA Form 21-958. An attorney for disabled people can help you fill out this form correctly so that it is effective in appealing the decision. You don't have to list every reason why you disagree with the decision; however it is better to be specific in order that the VA knows exactly what you believe to be incorrect. Your attorney can guide you on the evidence you should submit to support the NOD, like statements from medical professionals or results of diagnostic tests.
If your appeal is rejected at this stage, then you can request that it be reviewed again by a senior reviewer through a Higher Level Review. This could take anywhere from 25 months, and you should have your attorney at with you every step of the procedure. If the VA rejects your claim, your attorney can request an appeal before a Veterans Law judge to present testimony and other evidence in person. If your claim is granted, your attorney will prepare you for your check.
Statement of the Case
Congress has passed numerous laws to ensure that veterans are compensated for ailments, injuries and illnesses incurred during service. The VA is a large bureaucracy and it's easy to get lost. A veteran disability attorney can help navigate the process and provide crucial assistance for applicants.
If a veteran files a Notice of Disagreement with his her local VA office, the VA must conduct an investigation into the case. This includes looking into the laws, regulations and evidence used to reach the initial decision. This includes reviewing the medical records of the veteran as well as when necessary, lay statements. The VA must send the claimant an official statement of the case which is a list of all evidence that it has reviewed.
The statement should be in plain language and provide the reasoning behind the decision, including the interpretation of the laws and regulations relevant to the case. It should address all claims made by the plaintiff in his or her NOD.
The Veteran will receive the Statement of Case within 120 days of the date when the NOD was filed. Due to the VA backlog, it may take the agency longer to issue the document. If you are a veteran who is appealing a rating decision or a claim for benefits, get in touch with a veterans disability lawyer from Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C.