Veterans (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving St. Petersburg, Florida

As a veteran whose service in the U.S. military caused or worsened a disability, illness, or other condition, you are entitled to receive financial compensation and/or benefits from the government. These benefits can help you get the medical treatment you deserve, assistance with education or finding work, as well as financial resources to compensate for your inability to work.

The disability benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are available to veterans who meet the eligibility requirements for service connection. But the process of documenting each requirement and the severity of your condition is not always straightforward.

A veterans (VA) disability lawyer serving St. Petersburg, Florida at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD can help you file an appeal with VA and find the evidence you need to win your claim.

Call Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD at (800) 544-9144 to schedule your free consultation.

St. Petersburg VA Regional Benefit Office(s)

St. Petersburg: St. Petersburg Regional Office

St. Petersburg Benefit Offices

St. Petersburg: St. Petersburg Regional Office

Tampa: Tampa Workforce Office

Tampa: VetSuccess on Campus office at University of South Florida

St. Petersburg VA Medical Centers
St. Petersburg: St. Petersburg VA Clinic

Bay Pines: C.W. Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Tampa: Tampa VA Domiciliary

Building a VA Disability Benefits Appeal

Each VA disability appeal is as unique as the veteran filing it. We tailor our services to your needs and the distinctive elements of your case. In your free case evaluation, we will take the time to hear your story and review all the information about your case.

Working with Chisholm Chisholm and Kilpatrick LTD, you will benefit from a team of advocates who know your case inside and out. You can rest assured that your team will be highly experienced in the handling of VA disability benefits appeals. After reviewing all the details that make your claim unique, your team will craft an appeal strategy to get you the VA disability benefits you deserve.

Your team will take on all the work associated with your appeal, such as filing paperwork, corresponding with VA, and gathering evidence, taking the burden off your shoulders. They will also keep you updated on the status of your appeal as it progresses through the stages of the VA appeals process.

The Possibility of Receiving Monthly Compensation

Eligible veterans can receive monthly, tax-free financial compensation from VA. Your eligibility for this benefit is determined by the extent to which your condition or disability is related to service. If VA agrees that your condition is service-connected, they will determine the amount of your monthly compensation based on the severity of your condition and its impact on your ability to work and perform daily life activities.

How VA Determines Your Monthly Compensation

The more severe your symptoms, the higher your rating will be. The higher your rating, the more monthly compensation you will receive. In the event that you have multiple service-connected conditions, VA will issue you a combined disability rating, and calculate your monthly compensation based on the rating percentage.

As of December 1st, 2023 the VA disability rate benefit amounts are as follows:

• 0 percent disability rating: $0.00 per month
• 10 percent disability rating: $171.23 per month
• 20 percent disability rating: $338.49 per month
• 30 percent disability rating: $524.31 per month
• 40 percent disability rating: $755.28 per month
• 50 percent disability rating: $1,075.16 per month
• 60 percent disability rating: $1,361.88 per month
• 70 percent disability rating: $1,716.28 per month
• 80 percent disability rating: $1,995.01 per month
• 90 percent disability rating: $2,241.91 per month
• 100 percent disability rating: $3,737.85 per month

Although a 0 % disability rating does not qualify you for monthly compensation, you may still qualify for other benefits like VA health care.

You Can Dispute Your VA Disability Rating

If you think VA underrated your condition, you have the right to challenge it. Your veterans (VA) disability lawyer or advocate serving St. Petersburg, Florida will review the unfavorable decision in order to craft the strongest legal argument in support of your appeal.  Your attorney or advocate will develop your appeal in a way that positions you for the most successful outcome.

Call Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD at (800) 544-9144 to arrange a free consultation to see if we might be able to help with your appeal.

Filing an Appeal

The VA appeals process includes strict deadlines. You have one year from the date appearing on your VA decision letter to file your appeal.

Reasons for an Appeal

An appeal can be filed for any of the following reasons:

• You disagree with how VA rated your disability.
• You disagree with the effective date for your benefits.
• You disagree with VA’s conclusion that your disability is not service-connected.

Elements of an Appeal

The appeal must support the same elements as are required in an initial claim, as outlined by VA. Besides proof of having served in the U.S. military and a current medical diagnosis of injury or illness, you still need to prove that your condition is service-connected.

To prove service connection, you must submit evidence that demonstrates the following:

• 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.

How a Veterans’ Disability Lawyer Can Help

If you hire Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD to handle your appeal, we will develop a strong legal argument, supported by facts of the case, documentation, and evidence that support your claim. If necessary, we will gather new evidence to support your claim for service connection or an increased rating by consulting with a medical or vocational expert.

Appeal Options

As of February 2019, VA’s appeals system has three options for appealing an unfavorable disability claim. You can challenge VA’s decision within one year by:

• Requesting a higher-level review by a senior VA ratings specialist of your application and the supporting evidence you already submitted
• Submitting a supplemental claim that includes new and relevant evidence to support your claim
• Filing an appeal and presenting your case to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals in Washington, DC.

A veterans (VA) disability lawyer serving St. Petersburg, Florida will fight aggressively on your behalf so that you can focus on your health and family. Call Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD today for a free consultation: (800) 544-9144.