Veterans (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Iowa
Iowa veterans who have service-related disabilities may qualify for compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
If you filed a claim but VA denied you disability benefits, the team at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to help you secure the compensation you rightfully deserve. Reach out to CCK today for a free case evaluation.
Call 800-544-9144 to speak with a member of our team.
Iowa VA Disability Resources
Veterans living in Iowa have access to a Regional Benefit Office, two VA Medical Centers, an Outpatient Clinic, three Vet Centers, and more. There are also Community Based Outpatient Clinics located throughout the state.
VA Regional Benefit Offices
- Des Moines: Des Moines Regional Office
VA Medical Centers
- Des Moines: VA Central Iowa Health Care System
- Iowa City: Iowa City VA Health Care System
VA Outpatient Clinic
- Coralville: Coralville OPC
Vet Centers
- Cedar Rapids: Cedar Rapids Vet Center
- Sioux City: Sioux City Vet Center
- West Des Moines: Des Moines Vet Center
Community Based Outpatient Clinics
- Carroll: Carroll VA Clinic
- Cedar Rapids: Cedar Rapids VA Clinic
- Davenport: Quad Cities VA Clinic
- Decorah: Decorah VA Clinic
- Dubuque: Dubuque VA Clinic
- Fort Dodge: Fort Dodge VA Clinic
- Knoxville: Knoxville VA Clinic
- Marshalltown: Marshalltown VA Clinic
- Mason City: Mason City VA Clinic
- Ottumwa: Ottumwa VA Clinic
- Shenandoah: Shenandoah VA Clinic
- Spirit Lake: Spirit Lake VA Clinic
- Waterloo: Waterloo VA Clinic
Iowa Veterans Statistics
More than 211,000 of Iowa residents are veterans, comprising nearly nine percent of the state population. Around 38,000 Iowa veterans receive monthly VA disability compensation and roughly 100,000 are enrolled in VA’s health care system. Of those, more than 70,000 have sought medical care at a VA facility.
More than 51 percent of Iowa veterans are 65 years or older, and more than six percent are military retirees.
Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD Serves Disabled Veterans in Iowa
If you are a disabled veteran in Iowa seeking VA benefits, the lawyers at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to help. The CCK team understands how to navigate the challenges and complexities of the VA claims and appeals processes.
How Much Can a Veterans (VA) Disability Lawyer Charge?
Veterans (VA) disability lawyers typically get paid on a contingency basis, taking a previously agreed upon percentage of retroactive benefits only. VA regulates who can represent veterans and how much they can charge under 38 CFR § 14.636. Any fees above 33.3 percent are presumed unreasonable by VA.
How to Secure Disability Benefits in Iowa
To prove service connection and receive a grant of benefits, veterans must offer evidence of the following:
- A diagnosis of current, disabling medical condition;
- An event, injury, or illness occurring during military service; and
- A link, or “nexus”, between the in-service event and disability.
A Disabling Medical Condition
To qualify for VA benefits, your service-related diagnosed condition must limit your functional capacity. Functional capacity refers to your ability to work and carry out essential daily activities (e.g., eating, bathing, and transportation).
Your injury or illness does not have to be completely disabling—many veterans receive VA disability benefits and maintain their occupations. Unlike Social Security, VA provides compensation for partial disability; however, the higher your combined disability rating, the higher your monthly benefit amount.
An In-Service Event, Injury, or Illness
It is essential to establish an in-service injury, illness, or event that caused or contributed to your current diagnosis. Possible in-service occurrences include: an injury suffered during combat, a training exercise mishap, a traumatic experience, or exposure to toxic chemicals.
Providing a Medical Nexus
A nexus is the connection between your current condition and the event occurring during service. Medical professionals sometimes offer nexus opinions based on medical records, military service history, and your current diagnosis and symptoms.
To prove service connection, a medical professional must state that a link between the two is “at least as likely as not”.
VA Disability Ratings and Benefit Amounts in Iowa
Your monthly disability compensation depends on your combined disability rating, ranging from 0 and 100 percent. A 100 percent disabled veteran living in Iowa with no dependents receives $3,332.06 per month as of December 1, 2021
As of December 1st, 2024, 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 entitled to additional compensation for qualifying dependents.
Do You Qualify for TDIU?
VA has a special benefit for veterans who are unable to work due to their service-connected medical condition but who do not meet the requirements for a combined disability rating of 100 percent.
Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability, or TDIU, provides the same benefit amount as a 100 percent schedular disability rating. The main requirement for TDIU is to prove your service-connected condition (or conditions) render you unable to secure substantially gainful employment.
Should I Get a Veterans (VA) Disability Lawyer?
If you have a disability that was incurred in or caused by your military service and VA denied your claim, a Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD veterans (VA) disability lawyer serving Iowa may be able to help you file an appeal for VA disability benefits. The team at CCK can assist you in gathering additional evidence and developing your appeal.
For a free case review, call CCK today at 800-544-9144.
Iowa Blog Posts
- 2025 VA Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) Rates
The 2025 cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase is 2.5 percent. Veterans will see a small increase in VA special monthly compensation (SMC) rates next year. In this article, CCK will explain: What special monthly compensation is What the 2025 COLA and standard VA compensation rates are What the VA SMC Rates are for 2025 And more […]
- VA Disability Ratings for PTSD: A Guide to the PTSD Rating Scale
In this article, we will discuss the factors that influence PTSD VA claims, what your claims process may look like, and how you may be rated based on VA’s PTSD rating chart. Veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by military service are eligible for VA disability compensation. However, it can be challenging to […]
- VA Disability Ratings for Dysthymia
Dysthymia is a form of depression that can affect many people, especially veterans. If you are a veteran who is experiencing depression or dysthymia, help is available. You may also be eligible for VA disability compensation benefits. Continue reading to learn more. What is Dysthymia? Dysthymia is a “milder, but long-lasting form of depression.” Sometimes […]