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VA Disability Appeals in Kansas

America’s Veterans should receive due compensation that they sacrificed for in the service of our country, including Veterans living in Kansas, home to approximately 220,000 Veterans. The Census Bureau estimates that 15% of that group have at least one service-connected disability (slightly below the average state at 17%). However, there are still many others who may have incurred disabling injuries yet do not have a VA disability rating.  Getting proper compensation for all of these Veterans is our mission.

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At Berry Law we represent Veterans from coast to coast. We fight for Veterans’ disability appeals at every VA Regional Office in America, and take significant pride in defending Veterans’ rights. If you have been denied VA benefits, or are unhappy with your rating decision, you could benefit from the help of a Kansas VA disability attorney. Please read on to learn more about how we can help Veterans in Kansas.

 

Starting a VA Claim in Kansas

The process of applying for benefits can be initiated from anywhere in the US, regardless of whether you served in Kansas, entered service from Kansas, or currently live in the state. You can use the VA’s website to apply, or seek the help of a local Veterans Service Organization (VSO).

You can easily get started by using the VA eBenefits portal, or by manually filling out VA Form 21-526EZ (https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-526EZ-ARE.pdf). You may need to submit additional forms based on your individual circumstances. Additional forms that you may need to submit include forms for PTSD (0781 or 0781a) and TDIU (21-8940 and 21-4192) The forms must be signed and dated, packaged with any evidence you wish for the VA to consider, and either mailed to the VA Evidence Intake Center in Janesville, Wisconsin, or faxed to the VA at the number listed on the form.

Initial claims generally take several months to process, so patience may be required.

It is a good idea to put in an initial claim as soon as possible to establish an early effective date. The effective date remains in place regardless of how long it takes to fully settle a claim, which may last several years depending on the individual claims. The importance of the effective date is that the Veteran is entitled to back pay at the monthly rate they are entitled to reaching from the final decision date all the way back to the effective date.

You should also know that the effective date can be lost if you don’t maintain appeals for your claims. For example, if you have one year to file a notice of disagreement but wait too long to do so, you may have to reopen your claim leading to a new effective date. This is one reason it is so important to appeal decisions thoroughly, to keep the effective date in place and receive all the compensation for their disabilities that they earned. See below for additional information about appealing VA decisions in Kansas.

Each individual disability claim has its own effective date based on when it was first claimed, so an early effective date for a claim based on knee pain will usually not apply to an initial claim for PTSD submitted several years later.  There is no downside to starting your initial claim for all of your Kansas VA disabilities before having all the evidence assembled.

Submitting a VA Appeal in Kansas

Even the most thoroughly prepared claim for benefits may not yield the desired result for a Veteran’s initial claim. If an initial claim is denied, rated too low, or given an improper effective date, the Veteran has the right to appeal.

There are separate avenues for appeal depending on what kind of mistake the VA made. Berry Law helps Veterans cut through the red tape and file high quality appeals that have helped Veterans recover over $100 Million in backpay owed to them by the government.

We have representatives in multiple cities, but the location of your attorney does not actually impact the process because it is Federal in nature. Berry Law has helped Veterans in Kansas, and every other state in America, along with Veterans in US territories and foreign countries.

The appeals process for Kansas VA claims can be long, but as long as you have preserved your effective date by keeping appeals open, you are entitled to receive back pay for every month that elapsed during the process.

Most appeals begin with filing a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) with your VA Regional Office. This form notifies the VA that you disagree with the decision that has been made. NODs can be as simple as filling out the form and commenting “I disagree”, or can include dozens of pages of supporting material. The Regional Office in Kansas is located at: 5500 East Kellogg, Wichita, KS 67218.

The Regional Office will reply with a Statement of Case (SOC), which presents the state of the case and is sent to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA). The BVA will conduct their own review to reach a decision. If you feel that the BVA has made an incorrect ruling, the next step is to appeal to the CAVC.

If you would like help appealing a VA decision in Kansas you can contact Berry Law for more information and a free consultation with our staff.

Selecting a Kansas VA-certified Disability Appeals Attorney

Don’t assume that every Kansas VA disability attorney is the same. If you decide to hire an attorney to help with your claim, you should pick one that will stick with you for the duration of your case, and who has experience with appeals at every step of the process. A lengthy history of practicing Veterans law is a good indication that a Law Firm will not abandon you in the middle of an appeals process. Beware of firms that only began practicing Veterans Law after 2007 when it became more “profitable” for them.

The most difficult trait to evaluate is how well your lawyer will perform when it comes to extensive research, well-structured arguments, and compelling evidence. More experience often translates to superior work product, but not always.  You may want to read reviews and testimonials from a potential law firm before signing up.  You may also want to ask about the level of research they perform on each individual case and what some of their most effective arguments have been in the past.

It’s also important to many Veterans to have lawyers who are themselves Veterans. Selecting a Kansas VA appeals lawyer who has actually served in the military may help improve understand of your situation and reduce the amount of time that you need to spend explaining how the military works. Nothing can replace the camaraderie developed through shared service experiences. Will your law firm understand the intense stress of combat?

Lastly, you may want to gauge responsiveness to your inquiry to see how likely the attorney is to help quickly when you really need it.  Is the Law Firm immediately responsive to your needs?

Berry Law: Veterans Serving Veterans

Berry Law was founded in 1965 by attorney John Stevens Berry, Sr., who spent part of his time in the Army serving in the combat zones of Vietnam. During a JAG tour in Vietnam, he successfully defended Green Berets against murder charges, among other courtroom victories for his fellow servicemembers, earning him significant national praise. After leaving the service, he opened his own firm focused on criminal defense, but where he also represented many Veterans on a pro bono basis against the VA. The firm is now run by John S. Berry, , who retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the National Guard, after serving in both Bosnia and Iraq during Active Duty periods. John has helped grow the firm while keeping its roots in military work ethic and values.

In our ranks are Veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. We have attorneys hailing from each branch, and feature both Officers and Enlisted in our organization, with service ranks ranging from E2 – O6 (including an E9). Our Veterans have served in Vietnam, Bosnia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, at sea, and elsewhere around the world, and have the accompanying ribbon racks of sustained superior service to the country. We also have members of the Reserves and National Guard still wearing the uniform, and are a major benefactor for National Guard charities and causes.

John Berry received both the Pro Patria and Patriot Awards from the ESGR, and the firm has been named as “Military and Veterans Law Firm of the Year” by multiple agencies.

We bring both our passion for the military and our passion for the law to help Kansas Veterans in their fight for disability benefits.

Serving Clients Throughout Kansas

Berry Law represents Veterans throughout Kansas, including cities such as:

  • Wichita
  • Overland Park
  • Kansas City
  • Olathe
  • Topeka
  • Lawrence / University of Kansas
  • Shawnee
  • Lenexa
  • Manhattan / Kansas State University
  • Salina
  • Hutchinson
  • Leavenworth
  • Leawood
  • Dodge City
  • Garden City
  • Emporia
  • Derby
  • Gardner
  • Prairie Village
  • Junction City
  • Hays
  • Liberal

Resources for Veterans in Kansas

VSOs in Kansas

VSOs can help you file an initial claim. Some VSOs have special recognition from the VA for helping Veterans file claims

VSO locations in Kansas include:


AMVETS in Kansas

  • Post KS-DEPT, Hutchinson, KS
  • Post KS-0011, Hutchinson, KS
  • Post KS-0036, Wichita, KS
  • Post KS-0089, Salina, KS
  • Post KS-1776, Lenexa, KS (Kansas City area)

Kansas American Legion

  • Post 1, TOPEKA, KS
  • Post 3, COLUMBUS, KS
  • Post 4, WICHITA 004, KS
  • Post 5, EMPORIA, KS
  • Post 6, ATCHISON, KS
  • Post 9, GARDEN CITY, KS
  • Post 14, LAWRENCE, KS
  • Post 15, IOLA, KS
  • Post 17, MANHATTAN, KS
  • Post 19, GARDNER, KS
  • Post 20, COFFEYVILLE, KS
  • Post 21, SENECA, KS
  • Post 23, LEAVENWORTH, KS
  • Post 25, FORT SCOTT , KS
  • Post 29, SALINA 029, KS
  • Post 32, ALMA, KS
  • Post 35, CHEROKEE, KS
  • Post 38, BURLINGTON, KS
  • Post 39, ABILENE, KS
  • Post 45, JUNCTION CITY, KS
  • Post 46, ATWOOD, KS
  • Post 47, DODGE CITY, KS
  • Post 48, GARNETT, KS
  • Post 62, SALINA 062, KS
  • Post 65, WHITEWATER, KS
  • Post 68, HUTCHINSON, KS
  • Post 69, MEDICINE LODGE, KS
  • Post 71, ALTA VISTA, KS
  • Post 72, JEWELL, KS
  • Post 80, LIBERAL, KS
  • Post 89, ASHLAND, KS
  • Post 92, MEADE, KS
  • Post 94, LEAVENWORTH, KS
  • Post 101, CLAY CENTER, KS
  • Post 107, FORT DODGE, KS
  • Post 111, KC ARGENTINE, KS
  • Post 117, GOODLAND, KS
  • Post 147, BURDICK, KS
  • Post 153, OLATHE, KS
  • Post 170, CHANUTE, KS
  • Post 182, ARMA, KS
  • Post 185, LEBANON, KS
  • Post 188, KC ARMOURDALE, KS
  • Post 198, OSAGE CITY, KS
  • Post 199, KC QUINDARO, KS
  • Post 207, OGDEN, KS
  • Post 213, KC ARGENTINE EAGLES, KS
  • Post 240, CHAPMAN, KS
  • Post 248, MOUND CITY, KS
  • Post 256, WICHITA 256, KS
  • Post 259, GAYLORD, KS
  • Post 268, SEDGWICK, KS
  • Post 273, WICHITA 273, KS
  • Post 279, BLUE MOUND , KS
  • Post 280, BURDETT, KS
  • Post 292, WALNUT, KS
  • Post 298, ATTICA, KS
  • Post 327, SHAWNEE, KS
  • Post 329, KANOPOLIS, KS
  • Post 369, COPELAND, KS
  • Post 370, OVERLAND PARK, KS
  • Post 382, BROWNELL, KS
  • Post 389, ALLEN, KS
  • Post 400, TOPEKA, KS
  • Post 401, WICHITA 401, KS
  • Post 407, LENEXA , KS
  • Post 421, TOPEKA, KS

VFW Posts in Kansas

  • VFW Post 3279 Anthony & Grover Shook Post, Abilene, KS
  • VFW Post 1254 Spencer-Ralston Post, Arkansas City, KS
  • VFW Post 7770 Willard H. Aldridge Post, Ashland, KS
  • VFW Post 1175 Lt Jared Fox Jackson Post, Atchison, KS
  • VFW Post 3387 Pratt-Slade Post, Clay Center, KS
  • VFW Post 8746 Fay Walker Post, Clay Center, KS
  • VFW Post 6654 Linden-Tripkos Memorial Post, De Soto, KS
  • VFW Post 1714 Howard Gotschall Post, Dodge City, KS
  • VFW Post 1174 Fred Priestly Post, El Dorado, KS
  • VFW Post 7254 Elk City Memorial Post, Elk City, KS
  • VFW Post 1980 Lowry-Funston Post, Emporia, KS
  • VFW Post 7957 Emporia Memorial Post, Emporia, KS
  • VFW Post 1520 Howard Burnett Post, Fort Dodge, KS
  • VFW Post 1165 Olson-Frary-Burkhart Post, Fort Scott, KS
  • VFW Post 1361 Bob Campbell Post, Hutchinson, KS
  • VFW Post 1186 Dewlen-Dix Post, Independence, KS
  • VFW Post 1594 Earl L. Jones Post, Junction City, KS
  • VFW Post 8773 Wm. L. Talbott Post, Junction City, KS
  • VFW Post 111 Adams-Petersen-Switala Post, Kansas City, KS
  • VFW Post 5851 Bethel Memorial Post, Kansas City, KS
  • VFW Post 6994 Hardiman-Crittenden Memorial Post, Kansas City, KS
  • VFW Post 7026 Strawberry Hill Memorial Post, Kansas City, KS
  • VFW Post 869 Rosedale Memorial Post, Kansas City, KS
  • VFW Post 5982 Kiowa Post, Kiowa, KS
  • VFW Post 12003 James Taylor Lansing Memorial Lansing, KS
  • VFW Post 852 Alford-Clarke Post, Lawrence, KS
  • VFW Post 56 George Edward White Post, Leavenworth, KS
  • VFW Post 7397 Isadore Hoehn Post, Lenexa, KS
  • VFW Post 3166 Lane-Day Post, Liberal, KS
  • VFW Post 11374 John Troy Post, Manhattan, KS
  • VFW Post 1786 Lee-Pierson Post, Manhattan, KS
  • VFW Post 7830 Jewell County Memorial Post, Mankato, KS
  • VFW Post 7771 John L. Barkley Post, Mission, KS
  • VFW Post 1368 Rawlins County Boys Post, Oberlin, KS
  • VFW Post 7802 Oberlin Community Post, Oberlin, KS
  • VFW Post 846 Santa Fe Trail Post, Overland Park, KS
  • VFW Post 1432 Lt. Col. John D. Riddell Post, Salina, KS
  • VFW Post 7458 Seneca Memorial Post, Seneca, KS
  • VFW Post 10552 Shawnee Memorial Post, Shawnee, KS
  • VFW Post 11555 Hultgreen-Piper Women Veterans Post, Topeka, KS
  • VFW Post 15017 Member-At-Large Topeka, KS
  • VFW Post 1650 Phillip Billard Post, Topeka, KS
  • VFW Post 2187 Goodyear Post, Topeka, KS
  • VFW Post 2742 P.A. Townsend Post, Topeka, KS
  • VFW Post 7209 Bruce E. Hudson Post, Topeka, KS
  • VFW Post 112 Over There Post, Wichita, KS
  • VFW Post 3115 Wichita Memorial Post, Wichita, KS

VA Locations in Kansas

The VA has many facilities across Kansas. Some of the notable sites include:

  • Wichita Regional Office, 5500 East Kellogg, Wichita, KS 67218
  • Chanute-Neosho Memorial Med Center (Community Based Outpatient Clinic), Chanute, KS
  • Dodge City, Kansas CBOC (Community Based Outpatient Clinic), Dodge City, KS
  • Emporia CBOC (Community Based Outpatient Clinic), Emporia, KS
  • Scott CBOC (Community Based Outpatient Clinic), Ft. Scott, KS
  • Garnett – Anderson County Hospital (Community Based Outpatient Clinic), Garnett, KS
  • Hays, Kansas CBOC (Community Based Outpatient Clinic), Hays, KS
  • Hutchinson, Kansas CBOC (Community Based Outpatient Clinic), Hutchinson, KS
  • Junction City (Community Based Outpatient Clinic), Junction City, KS
  • Wyandotte CBOC (Community Based Outpatient Clinic), Kansas City, KS
  • Lawrence (Community Based Outpatient Clinic), Lawrence, KS
  • Liberal, Kansas CBOC (Community Based Outpatient Clinic), Liberal, KS
  • Louisburg-Paloa Clinic (Community Based Outpatient Clinic), Paola, KS
  • Parsons, Kansas CBOC (Community Based Outpatient Clinic), Parsons, KS
  • Salina, Kansas CBOC (Community Based Outpatient Clinic), Salina, KS
  • Shawnee VA Clinic (Community Based Outpatient Clinic), Shawnee, KS
  • Intake Site at Fort Leavenworth, 550 Pope Ave., Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027
  • Intake Site at Fort Riley, VA Military Services Coordinators Office,Fort Riley, KS 66442
  • Intake Site at McConnell AFB, VA Military Services Coordinators Office, McConnell AFB, KS 67221
  • VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT at Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center, 4101 S. 4th St., Bldg. 122, Room 207, Leavenworth, KS 66048
  • VA VR&E, Warrior Road, Bldg. 673G, Ft. Riley, KS 66442
  • VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT at Colmery O’Neil VA Medical Center, 2200 Gage Blvd., Bldg. 4, Topeka, KS 66622
  • VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT at Johnson County Community College, VetSuccess on Campus, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS 66210
  • VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT at University of Kansas, VetSuccess on Campus, 1300 Sunnyside Ave, Lawrence, KS 66045

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