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Veterans (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Van Buren County, IA

Are you a U.S. military veteran living in or near Van Buren County, Iowa with a disabling condition related to your service?  If so, you may qualify for disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

If VA denied your claim, a veterans (VA) disability lawyer serving Van Buren County, Iowa at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick may be able to help you secure the benefits you deserve.  Reach out to CCK today at 800-544-9144 for a free case review.

VA Facilities Serving Van Buren County, Iowa

Veterans living in Van Buren County, Iowa can access VA resources from several VA facilities, including a Regional Office, a VA Medical Center, and VA clinics.

Regional Office

The Des Moines Regional Office administers a variety of veteran programs.  It also offers information about VA health care and VA benefits.  Van Buren County veterans can schedule a virtual meeting, a telephone call, or an in-person interview at this Regional Office.  Appointments can be made through the Des Moines Regional Office’s online scheduling service or by phone at 515-323-7464.

VA Medical Center

The Iowa City VA Medical Center is the nearest VA medical center to Van Buren County in Iowa.  It provides a variety of health services to veterans, including primary care, mental health care, neurology services, radiology, and audiology and speech services.  The clinic is open 24/7 and can be reached by phone call or by scheduling an appointment online.

VA Clinics Near Van Buren County, IA

How to Qualify for VA Disability Compensation in Van Buren County, IA

Veterans living in Van Buren County, Iowa with service-related conditions can submit a claim for VA disability benefits.  Before awarding compensation, VA generally requires proof 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 nexus, or link, between the in-service event and current disability.

For the nexus element, you can request a nexus opinion from your private physician or a medical professional.  VA will also likely schedule a Compensation and Pension  (C&P) examination to determine if service connection is “at least as likely as not.”

Other types of evidence that can be useful in proving a claim for disability compensation include:

  • Service medical records
  • Service personnel records
  • Private and VA medical records
  • Medical opinions from the veteran’s treating doctor
  • Employment records (especially if the veteran is seeking Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability, or TDIU)
  • Lay evidence (i.e., lay statements or buddy statements).

VA Disability Compensation Rates

Once VA determines that service connection is warranted, you will be assigned a disability rating ranging from 0 to 100 percent.  This disability rating determines your monthly compensation amount:

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

Veterans with a combined disability rating of 30 percent or higher may be eligible for compensation for any qualifying dependents, including:

  • A spouse
  • Children under the age of 18
  • Children between the ages of 18 and 23 who are attending school
  • A dependent parent

How to Appeal a VA Denial in Van Buren County, IA

If VA denies your claim for disability compensation, you can appeal the decision in one of three ways:

If you request a Higher-Level Review, you cannot submit additional evidence.  On the other hand, a Supplemental Claim allows for the submission of new and relevant evidence to support your claim.

If you file a Notice of Disagreement, your appeal will go directly to the BVA.  Then you must also select a BVA docket: direct docket, hearing docket, or evidence docket.  If BVA denies your appeal, you have one year to file a Supplemental Claim or appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC).

Should I Get a Veterans (VA) Disability Attorney?

The VA appeals process is often complicated and difficult to navigate.  Therefore, hiring an experienced, accredited veterans (VA) disability attorney can significantly increase your chances of winning benefits on appeal.  A veterans (VA) disability lawyer at CCK can help you gather relevant evidence, develop your appeal, and argue your case before the BVA or CAVC.

It is important to note that the lawyer or agent representing you must be accredited by VA.  The accreditation process exists to ensure that veterans and their family members received skilled and informed representation throughout the VA appeals process.  VA regulates who may represent claimants in VA benefits cases and how much they can be paid under 38 CFR § 14.636.

How CCK Can Help Van Buren County, IA Veterans

If VA denied your claim for benefits, a CCK veterans (VA) disability lawyer serving Van Buren County, IA may be able to help.  Call CCK today at 800-544-9144 for a free case review.