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Veterans (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Des Moines, Iowa

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers monthly compensation to veterans suffering from service-related conditions.  If you are a veteran living in Des Moines, Iowa with a disability related to your active duty, you may qualify for these benefits.

If you already filed a claim but VA denied you benefits, a Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD veterans (VA) disability lawyer may be able to help.  Reach out to CCK today for a free case evaluation.

Call 800-544-9144 now to learn more.

VA Resources Available to Des Moines, Iowa

There are a few VA facilities serving Des Moines, Iowa, such as a Regional Benefit Office, a Medical Center, and a Vet Center.

Regional Benefit Office

The Des Moines Regional Office administers a variety of programs and offers information for veterans, including information about VA health care, VA benefits, outreach programs, and public affairs.

Veterans can schedule a virtual meeting, a telephone call, or an in-person interview at the Regional Office.  Appointments can be made through the Des Moines Regional Office’s online scheduling service or by phone at 515-323-7464.

Medical Center Serving Des Moines, Iowa

The VA Central Iowa Health Care System operates a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical facility in Des Moines, Iowa.  The medical center offers specialized medical and surgical services, residential outpatient treatment programs, mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) services, long-term care, and more.

To get in touch with a specific department or learn about a certain service, veterans can consult the VA Central Iowa Health System’s phone directory.

Vet Center

Located in West Des Moines, the Des Moines Vet Center provides readjustment counseling, outreach program, and referral services to veterans returning from combat.  To join a group or learn about the serviced offered, reach out to this office at 515-284-4929.

Getting VA Disability Benefits in Des Moines, Iowa

VA awards disability benefits to veterans living in Des Moines, Iowa who provide evidence of the following three things:

  • An in-service event, injury, or illness;
  • A current diagnosis of a disabling condition by a medical professional; and
  • A link, or “nexus”, between the in-service event and the condition.

Showing evidence of a link between the in-service event and your current disability is essential to securing VA benefits.  A medical professional can provide a nexus opinion showing service connection, or VA may schedule a Compensation and Pension examination (C&P) to determine the link between the two elements.

It is important to attend any C&P exams scheduled for you, as VA places a lot of weight on the results of the examinations.  Missing a C&P exam often leads to a denial of benefits.

VA Benefit Amounts in Des Moines, Iowa

If VA determines you meet the criteria for service connection, they will assign a disability rating ranging from 0 to 100 percent.  As of December 1st, 2020, VA compensation amounts for each rating 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

What Benefits Does a 100% Disabled Veteran Get?

Veterans living in Des Moines, Iowa with a 100 percent disability rating may also be eligible for additional benefits, including:

  • Medical, dental, and mental health care from VA’s Health Care Priority Group 1
  • A grant from VA to help build, modify, or buy a specially adapted home to meet a veteran’s needs
  • Military identification cards
  • Emergency care outside of VA
  • Special Monthly Compensation

Appealing a VA Benefit Denial in Des Moines, Iowa

If you have a service-related disability but VA denied you benefits, you have the right to appeal the decision.  There are three ways to file an appeal under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA):

Accredited agents and attorneys can help you choose which appeals lane best fits your unique situation.  It is also important to note that a veterans (VA) disability lawyer will typically charge on a contingency basis for their services, meaning they will take a percentage of recovered retroactive benefits.  They are not allowed to collect on any future benefits you may win.

Fees equal to or below 20 percent are considered reasonable by VA, while anything above 33.3 percent is presumed unreasonable.  VA regulates veterans lawyers’ payments under 38 CFR § 14.636 .

How a CCK Veterans (VA) Disability Lawyer Can Help

A Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD veterans (VA) disability lawyer serving Des Moines, Iowa may be able to help you gather evidence and file your appeal.  The dedicated attorneys and advocates at CCK know how prove service connection and secure veterans the highest possible rating for their disability.

Call CCK today at 800-544-9144 to schedule a free consultation.

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