Veterans (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Billings, Montana
Are you living in Billings, Montana with a disabling condition related to your military service? If so, you may qualify for disability compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
If you already filed a claim for benefits but VA denied your claim, Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to help you appeal the decision. Reach out to CCK today at 800-544-9144 for a free case evaluation.
VA Resources Serving Billings, Montana
There are several resources available to veterans living in Billings, Montana, including two VA clinics, a Regional Benefit Office, and a Vet Center.
VA Clinics
The Benjamin Charles Steele VA Clinic offers multiple specialty services to veterans, such as addiction and substance abuse care, cardiology, gastroenterology, gynecology, neurology, outpatient surgery, podiatry, suicide prevention, and more. It also provides some health services remotely (i.e., over the phone or via video calls). Veterans can call the main clinic at 406-373-3500 or call the mental health clinic at 406-447-6000.
The Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow VA Clinic offers primary care, pharmacy services, and geriatrics to veterans living in Billings, Montana. Veterans can also reach this clinic at 406-373-3500.
VA Regional Office
The Fort Harrison Regional Office administers several VA services for veterans living in Billings and across Montana, including disability compensation, pension, loan guaranty, outreach, and more.
Vet Center
The Billings Vet Center provides mental health services, counseling, and group therapy to local veterans and their families.
How to Get VA Compensation in Billings
To secure VA disability compensation, veterans must 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 nexus, or link, between the in-service event and disability.
If service connection is granted, VA will assign a disability rating based on the severity of the veteran’s condition, ranging from 0 to 100 percent. If the veteran has multiple service-connected conditions, VA will add them together—using VA math—to get a combined disability rating.
VA Compensation Rates
As of December 1st, 2022 the VA disability rate benefit amounts are as follows:
- 0 percent disability rating: $0.00 per month
- 10 percent disability rating: $165.92 per month
- 20 percent disability rating: $327.99 per month
- 30 percent disability rating: $508.05 per month
- 40 percent disability rating: $731.86 per month
- 50 percent disability rating: $1,041.82 per month
- 60 percent disability rating: $1,319.65 per month
- 70 percent disability rating: $1,663.06 per month
- 80 percent disability rating: $1,933.15 per month
- 90 percent disability rating: $2,172.39 per month
- 100 percent disability rating: $3,621.95 per month
Additional compensation may be available to veterans with one or more qualifying dependents.
What Benefits Does a 100% Disabled Veteran Get in Billings, Montana?
A 100 percent disabled veteran living in Billings, Montana gets $3,332.06 per month in VA benefits as of December 2020. Veterans with a 100 percent rating may also qualify for extra benefits, such as:
- 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; and
- Special Monthly Compensation.
How to Appeal a VA Decision in Billings, Montana
There are currently three ways to file an appeal with VA:
- Higher-Level Review: Request a Higher-Level Review of your current claim by a senior VA employee.
- Supplemental Claim: Submit new and relevant evidence as part of a Supplemental Claim.
- Notice of Disagreement: File a Notice of Disagreement with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
If you are unsure of which lane to choose, a Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD veterans (VA) disability attorney serving Billings, Montana may be able to help. The veterans’ advocates and attorneys at CCK are experienced and informed when it comes to filing appeals and can help you navigate the process.
How Much Can a VA Disability Lawyer Charge?
VA regulates who can represent a veteran and how much they can be paid under 38 CFR § 14.636. A veterans (VA) disability attorney or accredited claims agent typically takes a previously agreed upon percentage of recovered retroactive benefits. They are not allowed to charge fees based on any future benefits the veteran may receive.
Fees equal to or below 20 percent are presumed reasonable by VA, and anything above 33.3 percent is considered unreasonable.
Did VA Deny Your Disability Claim or Appeal?
If VA denied you benefits on your disability claim, a CCK veterans (VA) disability lawyer serving Billings, Montana can significantly increase your chances of securing VA compensation on appeal. Our team of CCK representatives may even be able to file an appeal on your behalf.
Reach out to CCK today for a complimentary case review.
Billings Blog Posts
- VA’s New Forms Explained: How to File Appeals
Claims for disability compensation must be submitted on the application form that is specifically required by VA. The legacy appeals system (i.e. the old appeals system) uses variations of VA Form 21-526, Veteran’s Application for Compensation and/or Pension, when it comes to filing claims. However, there are several new forms that VA has introduced with […]
- New Laws for Veterans and Servicemembers in 2021: NDAA
The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act was finalized near the end of 2020 and created several new provisions for veterans and service members. Continue reading to learn more about the changes made by the 2021 NDAA. What is the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)? The National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, is a policy and […]
- VA Disability Rating for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), more than 3.6 million veterans currently receive disability benefits for hearing loss or tinnitus. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that veterans are 30 percent more likely than non-veterans to have severe hearing impairment. Specifically, those who served after 9/11 are four […]