Veteran (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Chicago, Illinois

Chicago area military veterans who have service-related medical conditions that prevent them from working or doing other everyday activities may be eligible to apply for disability benefits available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  If your illness or injury occurred during or was worsened by your service, you may qualify.

If you already filed a claim for VA monetary benefits and received a denial, reach out to Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD.  We use our knowledge and experience to appeal wrongful benefit denials.  A veteran (VA) disability lawyer serving Chicago, Illinois from our firm may be able to handle your case.

You can speak with a veteran’s advocate from our team about your VA disability benefits today by calling (800) 544-9144.  Our initial case consultations are always free for veterans and their families.

Chicago VA Regional Benefit Office

When you file your application for VA disability compensation, your claim and other information may go to the Chicago Regional Benefit Office.  This is where a rating specialist will evaluate your information and either begin to determine if you meet the criteria for a combined disability rating (fully-developed claims) or seek additional evidence necessary to support your claim by contacting your branch of the military and your medical care providers (standard claims).

Chicago Vet Center

There are several options for getting help with your claim or to learn more about VA disability benefits and the application process.  You can visit any VA clinic or medical center, which generally have offices for assistance.

The Chicago Vet Center, located at 3348 West 87th Street, Suite 2, offers a range of services including assistance with your application and referrals to state and community resources.  You can reach this facility by calling (773) 962-3740.

Chicago VA Medical Centers

A key component of qualifying for VA disability benefits is not only having an illness or injury that occurred during your military service, or that was exacerbated by your service, but having a current diagnosis of that health condition.  This means you must have a doctor who can verify your condition.

You can visit your private primary care physician or a private specialist for this purpose, or you may qualify for VA health care.  This could allow you to seek treatment at:

Lakeside VA Clinic
211 East Ontario Street
Chicago, IL 60611-3468

Lakeside VA Clinic provides both primary care and emergency care services.  You can call (312) 469-4850 to learn more.

They provide referrals to Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center on South Damen Avenue in Chicago for inpatient care, surgical care, and those who require a specialist.  This facility also offers primary care if it is closer to your home.  You can contact this VA Medical Center at (312) 569-8387 today.

Where you receive care does not matter as long as you have a current diagnosis and can document the connection between your condition and your time serving in the armed forces.

Let a Veterans Advocate Help You Challenge a VA Benefit Denial

At Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD, our team uses our experience handling similar cases and our knowledge of the appeals process to challenge wrongful benefit denials in Chicago.  A veteran (VA) disability lawyer serving Chicago, Illinois from our firm may examine your medical records, service records, and other information to help you build the strongest possible appeal.

Generally, a grant of benefits 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

If the rating specialist tasked with reviewing your file does not find all the necessary evidence to prove these three components, they may deny your claim.

You have several options for fighting back if VA denies your claim.  However, knowing which option best suits your case is not always easy.  If we handle your case, we can help you make this decision.  Under the AMA system, your options include:

• Filing a Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence;
• Requesting a Higher-Level Review; or
• Filing a Notice of Disagreement appealing to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals

It is important to contact us soon after your denial notice arrives. You have one year from the date on your denial to file your appeal.  If we are handling your case, we can help you identify and meet the critical deadlines.  Call today at (800) 544-9144 to get started.

A Veteran (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Chicago, Illinois From Can Help You File an Appeal

If you applied for VA disability based on a service-related medical condition, but VA denied you benefits, you may be able to challenge the decision.  The team at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD has the experience and knowledge to help you get the benefits you deserve.  Contact us today to see if a veteran (VA) disability lawyer serving Chicago, Illinois from our firm may be able to assist.