Veteran (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Montana
If you are a veteran living in Montana with a service-related medical condition, you may be eligible for disability benefits. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers monthly disability compensation to veterans suffering from service-connected disabilities.
If VA denied your claim for benefits, a Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD veterans (VA) disability lawyer serving Montana may be able to help you secure the compensation you deserve. The team at CCK has years of experience representing veterans and winning disability benefits for clients who have been wrongfully denied.
Call CCK today at 800-544-9144 for a free case review.
VA Resources in Montana
There are several VA resources available to veterans living in the Montana area, such as a Regional Benefit Office, a Medical Center, VA clinics, and more.
VA Regional Benefit Office
VA Medical Center
VA Clinics
- Anaconda VA Clinic
- Benjamin Charles Steele VA Clinic
- Bozeman VA Clinic
- Cut Bank VA Clinic
- David J. Thatcher VA Clinic
- Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow VA Clinic
- Glasgow VA Clinic
- Glendive VA Clinic
- Great Falls VA Clinic
- Hamilton VA Clinic
- Helena VA Clinic
- Kalispell VA Clinic
- Lewistown VA Clinic
- Merril Lundman Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic
- Miles City VA Community Living Center
- Plentywood Clinic
Montana VA Statistics
As of 2017, Montana has one of the highest concentrations of veterans in the United States, with nearly 1 in 10 residents being veterans. Additionally, nearly 80 percent of these veterans are combat veterans. The majority of these veterans served during the Vietnam War and the Gulf War.
The veteran population of Montana is comprised of about 96,369 veterans. Of this, nearly 9 percent are female veterans. Most of the veterans in Montana are between 60 and 69 years old.
There are also around 50,000 veterans enrolled in VA health care programs in Montana.
How to Win VA Disability Benefits in Montana
Generally, to prove service connection and secure VA disability benefits, veterans must provide evidence of these three things:
- A current diagnosis of a disabling condition by a medical professional;
- An event, illness, or injury occurring during military service; and
- A medical nexus, or link, between your current condition and the in-service event, illness, or injury.
In some instances, VA may presume service connection. Essentially, this means that VA will automatically acknowledge the connection between your medical condition and your service. An example of presumptive service connection would be a Vietnam veteran who develops Parkinson’s Disease following exposure to Agent Orange.
In cases where the presumption of exposure is not an option, fulfilling the nexus element is essential to proving service connection. A medical professional can provide a nexus opinion for your claim, or VA may schedule a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam to determine if a connection exists.
VA Disability Compensation Levels
A veteran’s combined disability rating will determine the amount of monthly compensation they receive. Disability ratings range from 0 to 100 percent, increasing in increments of 10 percent based on severity.
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 rating of 30 percent or higher who have dependents (e.g., a spouse, children, parents who depend on you financially) can receive additional benefits. Veterans with a 100 percent disability rating may also be eligible for certain VA 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
- State-offered benefits (e.g., vehicle registration)
- Dependents Educational Assistance program
- And more.
Appealing a VA Decision in Montana
There are currently three ways to appeal a VA decision:
- Request a Higher-Level Review of your current claim by a senior VA employee;
- Submit new and relevant evidence as part of a Supplemental Claim; or
- File a Notice of Disagreement with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
Should I Get a Veterans (VA) Disability Attorney?
Navigating the VA appeals process can be challenging and frustrating. Having a veterans (VA) attorney assisting you can make the process easier to navigate and positively affect the outcome. The CCK veterans (VA) disability attorneys serving Montana have the knowledge, experience, and dedication to win your case and get you the benefits you deserve.
Veterans who have conditions related to their military service are entitled to VA compensation. The team at CCK may be able to help you secure such benefits. We will work hard to win your case and help you get the highest rating for your condition.
Call us today at 800-544-9144 for a complimentary case review.
Montana Blog Posts
- VA Disability Ratings for Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) can be a frustrating condition that causes discomfort in a veteran’s legs. The condition commonly interferes with sleep and can lead to exhaustion, affecting a veteran’s day-to-day life. Veterans with restless leg syndrome may qualify for disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. What is Restless Leg Syndrome? Restless leg […]
- VA Disability Rating for Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tear
What is a Rotator Cuff Tear? A rotator cuff tear is one of the most common injuries related to the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is made up of muscles and tendons that keep the head of the upper arm bone (i.e., humerus) firmly within the socket of the shoulder. Each of the following are […]
- Disability Claims and Appeals Process Timeline
In order to be awarded VA disability benefits, veterans need to follow the VA’s disability process. VA has two systems for disability claims and appeals: the Legacy system and the AMA system. Continue reading for a detailed explanation of the process for obtaining VA disability benefits. What Are VA Disability Benefits? VA assigns ratings to […]