California Veteran Disability Appeals Lawyers
Our team of tenacious veterans disability attorneys has overturned countless VA denials for clients in California. We offer free case evaluations where we can assess the strength of your claim and make recommendations about how to proceed.
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VA Denials Are Not the End of the Road For California Veterans Seeking Benefits
Receiving a denial from the VA can be a frustrating experience when you are counting on disability benefits to make ends meet or secure your family’s future. At VetLaw, we specialize in providing veterans with the legal insight they need to successfully maneuver through the VA disability claims process.
As VA-accredited veterans disability attorneys, we operate using reliable tactics and a thorough understanding of the appeals process. Our team at VetLaw will take into account the nuances of your case to ensure that we are guiding you down the right path towards the best outcome.
You are welcome to check out reviews from our clients to get insight into our methods, communication style, and level of expertise. VetLaw is proud to represent California veterans seeking VA disability benefits. We believe that the appeals process should be a tool for recourse, not a source of discouragement for service members in search of support.
Now is not the point to give up; it is the time to call in experienced reinforcements. You can reach us by calling (855) 434-2492 or filling out our online contact form.
Qualifying for Disability Benefits as a California Veteran
The VA has established certain requirements for former military service members to be able to claim veterans disability benefits. A VA-accredited disability benefits attorney can help you build a case using medical information, service records, statements from fellow service members, and other evidence. The foundation of any valid veterans disability benefits claim is based on fulfilling the following conditions.
1. Meet the Standards to Be Considered a Veteran
Disability benefits are restricted to individuals who have completed the requisite term of service and exhibited good conduct during their service. Typically, this means you need to have been on active duty for 2 continuous years and your discharge must have been other-than-Dishonorable. Other limitations or exceptions may apply, which can complicate your case.
2. Prove You Have an Illness or Injury
You need a formal medical diagnosis to claim veterans disability benefits, which the VA may verify with a C&P exam. Both mental and physical conditions can qualify as disabilities. Additionally, this disability must have some measurable impact on your life so it warrants a disability rating.
3. Connect Your Disability to Your Military Service
The VA maintains a record of presumptive service connected conditions, but it is not an exhaustive list of all of the possible injuries or illnesses that can be related to military service.
California vets need to show that their disability was aggravated or caused by serving in the armed forces to be eligible for disability benefits. For Secondary Conditions, the disability needs to be a product of the original service-related condition.
The VA May Deny Your Claim Based On a Range of Issues
Although the terms may seem straightforward, denials are common. The VA may deny a disability benefits claim for a relatively minor reason. For example, you may be denied for forgetting a signature, or for a substantial reason, like lack of service-connection.
The grounds for the denial will be stipulated in a VA denial letter. From there, a veterans disability appeal attorney can gather evidence to rectify the issues with your claim. After that, they will work to demonstrate your right to access disability benefits.
Options for California Veterans Appealing a VA Denial
California veterans should not take a denial from the VA as the final word on whether they are eligible for disability benefits without consulting a VA-accredited veterans disability appeals attorney first. Additionally, you can appeal VA decisions that factor into your disability benefits, such as your disability rating.
California veterans appealing a VA denial under the Legacy appeals system and those filing under the Appeal Reform have different options available to them. After receiving a denial from the VA, Legacy candidates have a year to submit a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) to indicate that you intend to file an appeal to the VA’s decision.
A California veterans disability appeals lawyer can help you decipher the VA’s reasoning for rejecting your claim, select the best path for appeal, prepare to appeal the VA’s decision, and craft a strong case for securing the disability benefits you deserve.
Resources for California Veterans
According to Census data, over 1.8 million veterans live in California. That makes California that state with the largest veteran population in the U.S. In order to serve these veterans, there are numerous resources available.
The California Department of Veterans Affairs provides an informative review of the state and federal benefits that California veterans can access. We also offer convenient access to legal support services located across California.
- California Department of Veterans Affairs
- Sacramento Veteran Disability Appeals
- Orange County Veteran Disability Appeals
- San Bernardino Veteran Disability Appeals Lawyer
- San Diego Veteran Disability Appeals Lawyer
- Riverside Veteran Disability Appeals Lawyer
- Los Angeles Veteran Disability Appeals Lawyer
California veterans can also reach out to one of the three regional benefits offices in California to discuss the types, terms, and requirements of their VA benefits.
There are seven VA healthcare systems located throughout California:
VA DISABILITY BENEFITS CLAIM TYPES
INDIVIDUAL UNEMPLOYABILITY BENEFITS
- Individual Unemployability Appeals
- Individual Unemployability Back Pay Claims
- Individual Unemployability Denials
- Permanent and Total Disability Claims
- Total Disability Individual Unemployability
CHEMICAL & TOXIC EXPOSURE CLAIMS
Appellate Attorney Matthew White represents veterans before the Board of Veterans Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
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Owner and Lead Attorney Brendan Garcia represents veterans in all 50 states with their VA Disability Appeals, in all stages of the VA Appeals process.
READ MOREContact Our Capable California Veterans Disability Claims Attorneys Today
For many California veterans, receiving a denial letter from the VA is a massive obstacle to covering the costs of medical treatment, pursuing higher education, supplementing reduced income, securing housing, and much more.
At VetLaw, our team regularly fights VA denials on behalf of California veterans with compelling, effective appeals that secure the disability benefits our clients need.
If you are a California veteran looking to appeal a denied veterans disability claim, VetLaw will gladly go above and beyond to help you access the benefits you have earned through your military service. Schedule a free consultation with a skilled VetLaw veterans disability claims denial attorney by calling us at (855) 434-2492 or filling out our online contact form.
MOST COMMON PHYSICAL DISABILITIES
- Arthritis
- Arm & Shoulder Injuries
- Asthma
- Back Arthritis
- Back Pain
- Bronchitis
- Cancer
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Chronic Pain (Somatic Symptom Disorder)
- COPD
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Diabetes
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Fibromyalgia
- Gastroesophageal Reflex Disease (GERD)
- Head Injury
- Heart Disease
- Hypertension
- Insomnia
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Joint Disorder
- Knee Pain & Injuries
- Lumbosacral Strain
- Migraine Headaches
- Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
- Neck Arthritis
- Neck Pain
- Non-Battle Injury
- Pes Planus (Flat Feet)
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Prostate Cancer
- Radiculopathy
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Scars
- Sciatica
- Sleep Apnea
- Spinal Fusion
- Spine Disorder
- Thyroid Disorder
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Tinnitus & Hearing Loss
- Varicose Veins
MOST COMMON MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES
The amount of time it takes to receive a decision on an appeal depends on which route you choose. Simple cases may be resolved sooner, but a Legacy appeal can average 9 to 18 months, and cases filed under the Appeals Reform don’t have estimated wait times yet because the process is so new. If you are seeking a hearing, be prepared for that process to take years before a decision is rendered.
Yes, and don’t be surprised if you have to in order to obtain the benefits you deserve. With Secondary Conditions, the connection to military service is by definition more tenuous, which increases the likelihood that the VA will deny the claim.
You’ll need strong medical evidence to refute the decision, as well as the support of a veterans disability claims attorney who understands what the VA is looking for in an appeal.
California veterans disability claims lawyers understand what is required to make a convincing appeal, the pros and cons of each appeals route, and how to obtain the evidence necessary to reverse the decision. Additionally, they have the time and resources to take up a case against an institution like the VA.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a California VA disability claim appeal take?
The amount of time it takes to receive a decision on an appeal depends on which route you choose. Simple cases may be resolved sooner, but a Legacy appeal can average 9 to 18 months, and cases filed under the Appeals Reform don’t have estimated wait times yet because the process is so new. If you are seeking a hearing, be prepared for that process to take years before a decision is rendered.
Can I appeal a VA decision for a Secondary Condition?
Yes, and don’t be surprised if you have to in order to obtain the benefits you deserve. With Secondary Conditions, the connection to military service is by definition more tenuous, which increases the likelihood that the VA will deny the claim.
You’ll need strong medical evidence to refute the decision, as well as the support of a veterans disability claims attorney who understands what the VA is looking for in an appeal.
Why should I hire a California veterans disability attorney to help me file an appeal with the VA?
California veterans disability claims lawyers understand what is required to make a convincing appeal, the pros and cons of each appeals route, and how to obtain the evidence necessary to reverse the decision. Additionally, they have the time and resources to take up a case against an institution like the VA.
