Jacksonville Veteran Disability Appeals Lawyer
After dedicating such a great deal of time to your VA disability benefits application, receiving a denial can leave you feeling discouraged. Fortunately, there are options available to fight unfair VA decisions and continue pursuing benefits. As the law firm of choice for veterans across the country, VetLaw is here to help. Our team of knowledgeable Jacksonville veteran disability appeals lawyers understand how to efficiently navigate the Veteran Affairs appeals process and ensure that our clients receive the benefits they need. To discuss your case in greater detail, consider contacting a Jacksonville veteran disability appeals lawyer on our team at 336-355-8387 today.
What We Do
VetLaw was established in 2014 by Brendan Garcia, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, with the goal of ensuring that veterans are able to access the VA disability benefits they need and deserve. What sets us apart from other law firms is that we were founded by Veterans, for Veterans. Now, we serve veterans across the United States, working diligently to hold Veteran Affairs accountable for unjust decisions.
We use a “no win, no fee” system, which means that we do not accept payment for our services until we secure a favorable outcome for your case. For this reason, you can rest assured that hiring legal representation will not break the bank. We understand that navigating the VA process is intimidating, but we are here to support you at every step.
What Is the Veteran Affairs Decision Review?
Veteran Affairs used to rely on the VA legacy process to receive appeals. The Veteran Affairs decision review process has replaced the VA legacy system, now providing veterans with three different avenues for appealing a VA decision. These three avenues include:
- Supplemental Claim: this option allows an individual to submit new or additional evidence that may support their case and alter the VA decision.
- Higher-Level Review: different from the supplemental claim process, a higher-level review can be used if an error has been made and an additional review could potentially alter the initial decision.
- Board Appeal: this option brings the case to a Veterans Law Judge at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals in Washington, DC. There are different strategies that can be used when filing a Board Appeal, and your Jacksonville veteran disability appeals lawyer can provide further insight into which strategy would be most beneficial to your unique case.
What Should I Do If Veteran Affairs Denies My VA Disability Claim?
If you are denied VA disability benefits, you should first review the VA decision carefully to understand why your case was denied. There are a range of reasons why the VA may deny benefits, including a lack of sufficient medical evidence, mistakes during the application process, or even missing deadlines. The reason why your case was denied will impact your strategy moving forward. Next, you may consider seeking legal assistance. Having an attorney on your side during the appeals process can make all the difference moving forward. Your attorney will review your case and work with you to identify the most effective legal strategy to increase your chances of obtaining VA disability benefits.
How Can a Jacksonville Veteran Disability Attorney Help Me Navigate the Veteran Affairs Appeals Process?
A Jacksonville veteran disability attorney can help you navigate all aspects of the Veteran Affairs appeals process, thereby increasing the likelihood of achieving a favorable outcome for your case. Specifically, your attorney will be able to:
- Initiate the Veteran Affairs decision review process
- Assist you in gathering and submitting all necessary medical evidence to support your case
- Manage all necessary correspondence with Veteran Affairs
- Represent you during a Board of Veterans’ Appeals Hearing
- Mitigate potential pitfalls that may arise and ensure that the process is as smooth and efficient as possible
When Should I Hire A Jacksonville Veteran Disability Appeals Lawyer to Help Me with My VA Disability Claim Appeal?
If your VA disability claim was denied, it is important to hire an attorney as soon as possible. This is because of the time limits associated with the appeals process. After you receive a VA decision, you have one year to file an appeal (Chapter 14 Appeals of VA Claims). Waiting too long can jeopardize your ability to access VA disability benefits and leave you unable to appeal the denied decision.
Where Is the Closest Veteran Affairs Office to Jacksonville?
Veteran Affairs has placed offices across the United States to provide support to veterans in their communities. The closest Veteran Affairs offices to Jacksonville providing assistance with VA disability benefits are the VetSuccess on Campus at Florida State College at Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Veteran Readiness and Employment Office.
What Are the Criteria to Qualify for the Veterans Disability Compensation Program?
Not all veterans automatically qualify for the Veterans Disability Compensation Program. To be eligible for VA disability benefits, the following criteria must be met:
- The veteran has a current illness or injury that impacts their mind or body
- They served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training
- The veteran can prove that their condition arose due their service or was made worse by their time in the military
While it can be difficult to prove that you meet these criteria, your Jacksonville veteran disability appeals lawyer can provide guidance on the necessary medical evidence and documentation you need to support your case.
Should I Request a Board of Veterans Appeals Hearing?
There are several options available to individuals who wish to appeal a VA denial. One of these options is requesting a Board of Veterans Appeals hearing, which may be a valuable opportunity for individuals who wish to present their story and discuss their case with a Veterans Law Judge. At the hearing, which can be conducted in-person or virtually, the veteran may submit additional evidence and highlight any relevant issues that may be considered important to the case. While there are many benefits to requesting a Board of Veterans Appeals hearing, there are also long wait times associated with this option which may overshadow potential advantages.
Hiring a Jacksonville Veteran Disability Appeals Lawyer Near You to Help You with Your Denial
If you were denied VA disability benefits, you may be unsure of how to proceed and where to turn for help. The experienced Jacksonville veteran disability appeals lawyers at VetLaw can help you successfully appeal a VA decision and obtain disability benefits. Consider contacting us at 336-355-8387 today for your free case review.
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