Veteran (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Huntington, New York
A veteran who experiences illness or injury because of their military service is entitled to disability benefits and should be able to access 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. The Chisholm & Kilpatrick veteran disability lawyers serving Huntington, New York, have the experience and knowledge to guide you through the VA appeals process. For a free initial consultation, contact our team at 800-544-9144.
VA Regional Benefit Offices Serving Huntington, NY
New York Regional Satellite Office at Northport VAMC
New York Regional Office Outbased at Manhattan VAMC, Office 1
New York Regional Office Outbased at Manhattan VAMC, Office 2
New York Regional Office at Montrose VAMC
New York Regional Office IDES at Montrose VAMC
New York Regional Office Outbased at Montrose VAMC
Hartford, CT Regional Benefit Office (Outbased-VAMC West Haven)
Newark, NJ Regional Benefit Office
New York Regional Office at Castle Point VAMC
Hartford, CT Regional Benefit Office
Hartford, CT Regional Benefit Office (Outbased – U.S. Coast Guard Academy)
Hartford, CT Regional Benefit Office (Outbased – U.S. Navy Base)
Westerly, RI Outbased Benefit Office
Philadelphia Regional Benefit Office
VA Medical Centers Serving Huntington, NY
New York Harbor 2 VA Mobile Clinic
Filing an Appeal for VA Disability Benefits in Huntington, NY
The process of applying for veterans’ disability benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is notoriously complex. All too often, many veterans grow frustrated with the rigid requirements and give up after receiving a denial on their initial claim for benefits.
If you received a denial, you have one year from the date on the denial letter to file an appeal. A VA disability attorney may be able to help you build a case for appeal, ensuring you submit the appropriate evidence and meet the various deadlines throughout the appeals process.
The Elements of a VA Disability Claim
For VA to award a grant of benefits, you must be able to provide proof of the following:
- A current diagnosis of your medical condition from an accredited health care provider;
- An injury, event, or illness that occurred during your military service; and
- A medical link, or nexus, between your current diagnosis and the in-service injury, event, or illness.
VA requires that your diagnosis come from an accredited physician, but you have the option of visiting a VA physician or your own private doctor.
Establishing the Nexus
Often, the most challenging component of a disability claim or appeal is establishing the nexus. VA requires veterans prove that their current disability was “at least as likely as not” caused by their military service.
After examining you and evaluating the severity of your symptoms, a doctor or medical specialist can typically opine whether you meet this standard of proof. In addition to a statement from a doctor, you can submit other evidence in support of your claim, including medical and service records and lay statements.
Presumptive Conditions Already Meet the Nexus Requirement
Certain conditions for which veterans commonly seek disability benefits have been determined to be presumptive by VA. This means that VA has already determined these conditions to be the result of unique circumstances in a veteran’s military service.
VA’s list of presumptive conditions pairs certain military experiences with specific medical conditions that the administration has identified as having a consistent and valid causal connection.
If your military service coincides with events identified by VA and you suffer from one of the conditions listed as presumptive, your nexus is already established. For example, if you experienced one of the situations listed below, check VA’s list of medical conditions to see if your injury or illness is presumed to be service-related.
Some Examples of Presumptive Events Include:
- Radiation exposure
- Mustard gas and Lewisite exposure
- Agent Orange exposure
- Veterans exposed to contaminated Camp Lejeune water
Let a Veterans Advocate Help With Your Appeal
A veterans disability attorney serving Huntington, NY, from Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick can help you with your benefits appeal and pursue any compensation you may be entitled to. We work on a contingency basis, meaning we do not charge any attorney’s fees unless we win a retroactive grant of benefits on behalf of our client.
Call Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick today for a free initial case review at 800-544-9144.