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Veterans (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving New Mexico

If you live in New Mexico and served in the military, you could be eligible to receive benefits from VA for current disabilities you believe to be due to time in service.

Unfortunately, your initial application for service-connected compensation may be denied, even for veterans with qualifying disabilities. A veterans disability lawyer serving New Mexico from Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may help you appeal denied veteran benefits and receive the benefits you deserve.

To speak with a team member, call 800-544-9144 today.

New Mexico VA Benefit Resources

New Mexico VA Regional Benefit Office

New Mexico VA Medical Centers

New Mexico VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics

New Mexico VA Statistics

According to VA, as of 2016 New Mexico has:

  • More than 160,000 veterans (more than 10 percent of the state’s population)
  • More than 37,000 veterans who received VA disability benefits
  • More than 75,000 veterans enrolled in VA’s health care system (52,000 of whom have sought treatment at a VA health center)
  • Almost 48 percent of New Mexico’s veterans are 65 or older, and more than 13 percent are military retirees

How to Receive VA Disability Benefits in New Mexico

VA has eligibility requirements in order to receive service-connected disability benefits. First, you must have a current diagnosis that meets VA’s definition of a qualifying disability. Second, you must provide evidence that experienced an event, injury, or illness during your military service. Third, you must provide a “nexus” between your current diagnosed disability and the event or injury during your service.

You Have a Qualifying Disability

You must have a current diagnosis of a disability from an appropriate healthcare professional.

It is also important to note that unlike the Social Security Administration’s SSDI benefits, VA does not require you to be totally disabled to receive benefits. You may receive VA benefits for a partial disability. VA uses a disability rating scale of 0 to 100 percent to measure the severity of your condition. The higher your disability rating, the higher your monthly compensation.

You Experienced an Event, Illness, or Injury

Second, and equally important, you must provide evidence that you experienced an event during your service. The event may have happened during a training exercise, a combat mission, or something else. It could be an injury or illness too.

Providing a “Nexus” Between Your Condition and the Event 

A “nexus” is a link between your current condition and the event in your service. Upon receiving your claim, VA may order a Compensation & Pension exam for you in order to obtain a nexus opinion.  In order to have a positive nexus, the medical professional must state that it is “at least as likely as not” that your condition occurred due to your military service.  You can also provide medical nexus opinions from provide physicians or treatment providers.

VA Disability Compensation Levels

Your combined VA disability rating determines the amount of monthly compensation you receive. The scale runs from 0 to 100 percent in 10-percent increments, but only ratings of 10 percent or higher result in monthly compensation.

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

Also, a rating of 30 percent or higher may make you eligible for additional compensation for any qualifying dependents living in your household. Qualifying dependents may include your spouse, minor children or children in school, or dependent parents.

If you receive a lower VA disability rating than you think you deserve, you have the right to appeal your rating. Call Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick today for a free evaluation to see if we can assist with your appeal.

What if I Cannot Afford a VA Disability Lawyer Serving New Mexico?

If you are worried about hiring a VA disability lawyer because you do not think you can afford it, keep in mind that we work on a contingency basis.  This means that we do not get paid until you get paid.

To Speak With a VA Disability Lawyer Serving New Mexico, Call Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD Today at 800-544-9144

You sacrificed a lot in service to our country, and for that you deserve the best our country offers. A veterans disability lawyer serving New Mexico at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD is here to fight for the disability benefits you deserve.

To speak with a team member about a denied VA disability benefits claim, call us at 800-544-9144.

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