The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides disability benefits to people who became sick, injured, or developed disabilities while serving in the military. Most people agree that Veterans deserve all the benefits they are entitled to, yet too many Veterans experience difficulty obtaining these benefits.
If you or your loved one is struggling to obtain proper VA disability benefits, it may be in your best interest to seek legal representation. Berry Law helps disabled Veterans nationwide appeal their rating decisions or denials and fight for the benefits they deserve.
The VA disability claims process is often challenging. An attorney can help you better understand what to expect at each stage of the appeals process. As soon as you file for benefits and your claim is received, a Veteran Service Representative with the VA will review your claim. He or she will determine if additional evidence is needed.
When additional evidence is required, these requests can be difficult for applicants to deal with. An experienced lawyer will know what kinds of evidence the VA is seeking and help you collect and provide the proper information to minimize the chances of further delays.
The evidence that is collected and submitted to the VA for a disability claim is critical to the case’s outcome. An experienced attorney will collect and present the most compelling evidence to support your claim. If your application is denied or you receive a rating that is too low, our team of VA attorneys may be able to assist you.
The VA provides tax-free disability compensation to Veterans with injuries or diseases incurred during active service in the United States military. Compensation can be paid for post-service disabilities related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service. They can also be paid for disabilities that may have arisen after military service but are presumed to be related to their service.
Attorneys who are admitted to practice before VA are required by Title 38 Code of Federal Regulations § 14.636(e) to charge reasonable fees based on the time spent on the case, the complexity, the type of services performed, the results achieved, and rates charged by other attorneys, among other factors.
Agreements for payment for attorneys’ services must be in writing and signed by both the claimant and the lawyer. The agreement must outline the specific terms of how payment to the attorney will be determined.
This means that the fee agreement must specify whether the VA will pay the attorney directly out of past-due benefits, or if the individual will. At Berry Law, we handle all VA disability claims on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not charge our clients anything unless we win your case. Upon winning, we charge a contingency of the back-pay award, so no fee is charged out of pocket or up-front.
Every Veteran who needs a higher disability rating could benefit from the services of a VA disability lawyer. Hiring an attorney is not always necessary when filing for a disability claim. However, when the VA issues an inadequate rating, it may be difficult for you to receive the full disability compensation you deserve without experienced legal representation.
A VA-accredited lawyer can be an invaluable ally when your Veterans disability claim gets denied or when you need to file an appeal.
As a Veteran, you need a disability lawyer that understands every facet of the Veterans disability claims process. VA disability lawyers are an important resource when appealing a VA decision. An attorney can help you appeal unfavorable decisions and work to increase your VA disability rating. Berry Law is your fire support team in your battle with the VA, and our experience working complex Veterans disability claims can help you get the full compensation you are entitled to.
Disabled Veterans who receive a low disability rating often need a lawyer who can help them show the VA why they deserve a higher rating. At Berry Law, we understand VA disability law at a personal level because many of the Veterans on our team have had to fight to get their own disability benefits. Founded by a Vietnam Veteran, Berry Law now features attorneys from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. We are passionate about Veterans disability, and we will continue to work hard to appeal Veterans disability claims until every Veteran receives all the disability benefits they earned.
When applying for Veterans disability benefits, you must meet the criteria to be eligible for a claim. As a Veteran, you must have a service-connected medical injury, and the injury must have been caused or exacerbated by your time in service.
The VA has strict deadlines related to appealing your claim. You need to appeal an initial VA decision within one year of the rating decision. If you wait too long, you will lose your effective date and could lose out on thousands of dollars of backpay awards. Please do not wait to call a lawyer if you need help appealing your claim.
If you have one of the following medical injuries, you can file a claim for Veterans disability benefits:
If you suffer from psychological trauma resulting from your military service, you also have the right to file for benefits. To maximize the firepower for your claim or appeal case, please call the VA disability lawyers from Berry Law.
You may have trouble with the appeals process or your Veterans disability claim could get denied repeatedly. If you need assistance appealing your VA claim, call our offices today for a free case evaluation. Our team can provide you the legal support you need to get the VA compensation you deserve.
The fees you pay to a VA disability lawyer are on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay if your attorney wins. Berry Law charges no more than 30% of the lump sum backpay award, which is awarded as part of your rating increase. We will not take money from future payments after we help you get the disability rating you’re entitled to.
A reputable VA attorney should agree to accept payment only after you receive your benefits. In your agreement with the lawyer, the method of payment is written into the terms. Do not hesitate to ask questions before accepting the attorney service, and be sure to choose a transparent legal representative that you trust.
A disability lawyer understands the complexities of Veteran legal affairs, and fees are reasonable. Usually, payment is not an upfront requirement. If you do not win your case, you should not have to pay the attorney.
Yes, you can hire a VA-accredited attorney through the Department of Veterans Affairs to help you with your disability benefits. The VA website has information on available legal resources, and Veterans can choose a disability lawyer from a list.
Even after choosing a lawyer with the right accreditation requirements, asking them a few questions before you sign a contract can clarify whether they have the skills and knowledge to help. Some questions you should ask a potential lawyer include:
Do not begin working with a law firm if you do not feel comfortable with your attorney, or you find their answers unsatisfactory. There are many resources to choose from.
You should not have to settle when it comes to the legal firm that will be defending your rights. Choosing the right lawyer could make a significant difference in your claims case. The wrong choice may cost you years of disability pay and thousands in compensation.
The disability payment a Veteran receives depends on their disability rating. Unless a veteran has a 0% rating, they will receive a monthly payment from the VA.
In some cases, the benefits you receive are just enough to cover the extra costs you are paying due to your condition. Veterans who suffer for years from injuries relating to their service are able to receive benefits, and can appeal their decision if they wish to receive a higher rating.
It is important to note that the number of dependents you have can also impact the disability compensation you receive. According to the latest VA pay schedule, a Veteran will receive increasing benefits based on their disability rating.
The experienced Veterans law attorneys at Berry Law can assist you with your appeal if your veterans disability claim gets denied or rated poorly. If you believe that you deserve a higher rating or that the disability benefits you are receiving does not match your situation, our lawyers are here to help.
Berry Law fights for the rights of Veterans like you. We take on the most complex cases, and use our experience in Veterans law to help Veterans get the disability compensation they deserve.
The VA has multiple disability compensation programs. Three of the most common types include:
The VA also notes that Veterans can be eligible for other types of disability compensation after a disability is determined to be service-connected. Other VA disability compensation programs include:
Do you or your loved one need help appealing a disability rating that was denied or rated too low? Berry Law has been helping Veterans nationwide since 1965. We are ready to put our VA disability law experience to work on your claim. Our team has an impressive record of winning appeals before regional VA offices, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans’ claims.
We are proud to serve Veterans in all 50 states. Don’t hesitate to schedule your free, confidential consultation with a knowledgeable member of our team. Contact us online, via email (intake@berrylawfirm.com), or call (888) 883-2483 to schedule a consultation today.
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