Veteran (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Allentown, Pennsylvania
If you have a medical condition related to your military service, you may be eligible for disability compensation through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). There are local resources available in Allentown, Pennsylvania to help you file your claim.
If you already filed a claim for VA disability compensation and received a denial, the team at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD can review your case for free today. We may be able to help you appeal the decision. Call (800) 544-9144 to learn more.
VA Regional Benefit Offices Serving Allentown, Pennsylvania
VA regional benefit offices offer resources and assistance with preparing and filing VA disability claims. Rating specialists at these regional offices will review your claim when submitted. They will then determine if there is enough evidence to support your case.
Pennsylvania has two regional benefit facilities. If you submitted a claim from Allentown, PA, it will likely be reviewed at the Philadelphia Regional Office on Wissahickon Avenue in Philadelphia. The Pittsburgh Regional Office serves the western part of the state.
Benefit Office Serving Allentown
While the Philadelphia Regional Office has many resources available to veterans, it is not necessary to travel to Philadelphia when you can receive the same support locally. The Lehigh County Veterans Affairs Office in Allentown has staff that can answer your questions, explain the requirements for various benefits, and help you prepare and file your claim for VA disability compensation. Call the office at (610) 782-3295 to learn more.
VA Clinics Serving Allentown, Pennsylvania
You must have a current medical diagnosis and clear documentation of your condition to apply for VA disability benefits. You can either request copies of your medical records or the rating specialist reviewing your file can do so later. These records must show your diagnosis.
While many people continue to visit their private doctors after returning from service, others opt to see a VA doctor. The Allentown VA Clinic on Hamilton Boulevard offers primary care and outpatient services for veterans. Call the clinic at (610) 776-4304 to learn more.
VA Medical Centers
If you require specialty or emergency care, the Allentown Clinic may refer or transfer you to the VA Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
The Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center has:
- 68 hospital beds
- 10 Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs
- 105 Community Living Center beds
There is also the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia if the Wilkes-Barre facility does not have the capacity or ability to diagnose and treat your condition.
Challenging a VA Decision in Allentown, Pennsylvania
If the VA denied your claim for disability benefits, you still have options to secure compensation for your service-related medical condition. You have one year from the date of your VA decision notice to file a formal appeal. The team at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD can review your case for free and may be able to help you understand your options.
Generally, a grant of VA disability benefits requires proof of three things:
- An in-service event, injury, or illness;
- A current diagnosis by a medical professional; and
- A medical nexus, or link, between your in-service event, injury, or illness and your current diagnosis.
If you submitted a fully developed claim, you may feel certain there is enough information in your file to prove your eligibility. However, if a member of the team at CCK reviews your claim, we may see that you need to obtain additional records to prove your case.
Once we feel certain you have a compelling case, we can help you understand your options for challenging a VA denial. There are three ways to do this:
- Submit a Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence to support your initial claim;
- Request a Higher-Level Review of your current claim by a senior VA employee; or
- File a Notice of Disagreement with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to help you identify necessary documents, find alternative ways to prove your claim, and navigate the VA claims and appeals process.
How CCK Serving Allentown, Pennsylvania Can Help
If you have a diagnosed medical condition caused or aggravated by your military service and you have evidence proving this connection, VA should award you monthly disability compensation. However, the process of preparing and filing a claim can be complicated.
If you were denied VA benefits, one of our veteran (VA) disability attorneys serving Allentown, Pennsylvania may be able to help you challenge the decision. A Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD veterans’ advocate can review your claim for free today.
Call us now at (800) 544-9144 to learn more.
Allentown Blog Posts
- How Does VA Rate Migraine Headaches?
Many servicemembers and veterans experience migraines. If you are a veteran who experiences migraines because of your military service, you may be eligible to receive VA disability benefits from VA. What Are Migraines? Migraine headaches are a type of headache characterized by debilitating symptoms that can last anywhere from hours to days, depending on the […]
- VA Form 21-0781 Instructions: Statement in Support of Claim for PTSD
What Is VA Form 21-0781? Veterans who are seeking service-connected benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can fill out and submit VA Form 21-0781: Statement in Support of Claim for Service Connection for PTSD. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses VA Form 21-0781 to help determine if service connection for PTSD is warranted. Essentially, […]
- Finality of VA Decisions: Legacy Appeals System vs. Appeals Reform
Finality of VA Decisions: Legacy Appeals System vs. Appeals Reform Decisions handed down by VA become final after their appeal period has ended. In the Legacy appeals system, appeal periods vary depending on what type of decision the VA issues. However, under Appeals Reform, there is more uniformity in regards to the time frames involved […]