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

• Fort Harrison Regional Office

VA Medical Center

• Fort Harrison 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.