Veteran (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Boston, Massachusetts
A veteran who experiences illness or injury because of their military service is entitled to disability benefits and should be able to those benefits in a timely fashion, without bending over backward to meet VA’s requirements.
If you are a veteran and your request for disability benefits claim has been denied, we may be able to help you. A Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD veteran (VA) disability lawyer serving Boston, Massachusetts has the experience and knowledge to work guide you through the VA appeals process. For a free initial consultation, contact our team at 800-544-9144.
VSOs and Appeals Attorneys
Veterans service organizations, or VSOs, provide free services to veterans who want assistance with filing a disability benefits claim. They do not take fees for their services and are trained and knowledgeable.
However, while VSOs provide useful services, they typically lack the depth and breadth of legal knowledge needed to handle complex disability benefits cases. Legal teams such as our veteran disability attorneys serving Boston, Massachusetts work with veterans to file appeals for disability benefits and cases involving reevaluating combined disability ratings. We may be able to help you earn the benefits to which you may be entitled.
Eligibility Requirements for VA Disability Benefits
To receive disability benefits, VA requires veterans to provide proof of the following three criteria:
- 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
At the initial claim phase, VA has a duty to assist, meaning they must help you gather supporting evidence of these three things in your claims file. You also have the option to submit evidence, such as service and medical records or lay statements, on your own behalf.
Filing an Appeal with VA
Typically, you only have one year from the date of your denial to challenge VA’s decision, according to VA Form 4107. In the new appeals system under the Appeals Modernization Act, you have the option to:
- Request a Higher-Level Review;
- File a Supplemental Claim, with which you submit any new and relevant evidence; or
- File a Notice of Disagreement to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
A veterans’ disability attorney can help you determine the best option based on your situation and help you build a strong appeal.
Call Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD Today
If you have received a denial of disability benefits, we may be able to help.
Contact a veterans’ disability attorney serving Boston, Massachusetts from Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick at 800-544-9144. We offer a complimentary initial evaluation of your case to see if we might be able to assist.
Boston Blog Posts
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VA Bilateral Factor and How it Impacts Your Disability RatingWhat is the Bilateral Factor in the VA Claims Process? The bilateral factor refers to when a veteran has a disability that affects both arms, both legs, or paired skeletal muscles. In these instances, the ratings will be combined, for the left and right sides, and 10 percent will be added. The bilateral factor recognizes […]
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Federal Circuit Decides in Favor of Blue Water Navy Veterans: Procopio v. WilkieBlue Water Navy Veterans Blue Water Navy Vietnam veterans are considered to be those who served aboard ships in the open waters off the coast of Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and who did not go ashore. VA’s regulation establishing a presumption of herbicide exposure mandates that VA presumes veterans “who, during active military, naval, […]
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Common VA Disabilities For Post-9/11 (OEF & OIF) VeteransOperations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF) are classified under the umbrella term “Global War on Terror.” This international military campaign was launched following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States. Since the beginning of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, over 1.9 million United States military personnel have been deployed […]