Veteran (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Columbus, Georgia
If the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) denied your request for disability compensation, a Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD veteran (VA) disability lawyer serving Columbus, Georgia may be able to help you challenge the decision. There are several options for filing an appeal. Call (800) 544-9144 today for a free case review.
VA Regional Benefit Office Serving Columbus, Georgia
Most Columbus VA disability claims are reviewed at the Atlanta Regional Office in Decatur, the only Regional Benefit Office in Georgia.
Decatur is more than 100 miles from Columbus, but it is unlikely you will need to visit this office in person. You can ask your questions over the phone, or utilize local resources to help guide you through the process of filing a claim. Local offices can also advise you about programs and benefits available on a state, county, and city level.
Benefit Office Serving Columbus, Georgia
The Columbus Veterans Service Field Office provides assistance to veterans and their families living in Chattahoochee, Muscogee, and Stewart counties. The office is located at 1512 3rd Avenue in Columbus.
You can make an appointment or learn more about free services available to veterans by calling (706) 649-1266. The staff from this office can explain VA requirements and deadlines, check your eligibility, and help you find programs and benefits suited to your specific situation.
The Columbus Veterans Service Field Office also offers VA medical care and VA disability compensation to those who qualify. They may be able to help you prepare and file your VA disability claim. The Field Office provides their services free of charge to veterans and their families.
VA Clinics Serving Columbus, Georgia
There are two VA clinics serving Columbus: the Columbus VA Clinic and the Fort Benning VA Clinic. Both clinics offer outpatient services only, which includes primary care and limited specialty care. If you require care beyond the scope of these centers, you may be referred to a local hospital or one of the two VA medical centers across the state line in Alabama.
Veterans from Columbus generally receive inpatient care at either:
- Central Alabama VA Medical Center in Tuskegee
- Central Alabama VA Medical Center in Montgomery
These facilities are both more than an hour away from Columbus.
It is important to understand your options for medical care if you have a service-related medical condition. In order to prove your eligibility for VA disability compensation, you must have thorough documentation of your condition in your medical records.
VA accepts medical records from VA outpatient clinics, VA medical centers, private practices, private hospitals, and other medical care facilities as proof of your service-related disability. You do not have to see a doctor from a VA facility to qualify for monetary benefits.
Appealing a Columbus VA Benefits Denial
Generally, securing a grant of VA disability compensation requires 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.
You need evidence of all three things before the VA can award you benefits. If essential evidence is missing, VA may deny your claim. In some cases, rating specialists may make mistakes and issue a denial even if all the necessary evidence is in your claims file.
If you received a denial notice, you have one year to file a formal appeal. Reach out to a Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD veteran (VA) disability lawyer serving Columbus at (800) 544-9144. A member of our team can explain your options and help you understand possible next steps.
There are currently three ways to challenge a denial or unfavorable decision by VA:
- Request a Higher-Level Review of your current claim by a senior VA employee;
- File a Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence supporting your initial claim; or
- Submit a Notice of Disagreement with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
If you choose to file a Notice of Disagreement, our veteran (VA) disability lawyers serving Columbus, Georgia may be able to help you gather evidence and develop a compelling appeal.
How a VA Disability Attorney Serving Columbus, Georgia Can Help
If VA denied your initial application for disability compensation, you may have options for challenging the decision. A Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD veterans’ advocate can review your case for free and help you understand your options.
Call (800) 544-9144 now to get started.
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