Veteran (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
If you live with a service-related medical condition in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, disability benefits may be available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). There are free resources nearby to help you build a case and file your claim.
If VA denied your initial claim for disability benefits, though, an attorney from Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to help you understand your eligibility and your options. Call (800) 544-9144 today for a free review of your case.
VA Regional Benefit Offices Serving Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Two regional benefit offices serve Pennsylvania, one in Philadelphia and one in Pittsburgh.
When you submit a claim for VA disability benefits in Pittsburgh, it will most likely go to a rating specialist based out of the Pittsburgh Regional Benefit Office. No matter if you submit a fully developed claim or a standard claim, you likely will not have to visit the office or take additional steps for them to evaluate your qualifications.
This office is located at 1000 Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh. The staff at this regional benefit office offers services to veterans and their families Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
You can get free resources and support during office hours. Office staff can help you understand the eligibility requirements, prepare your claim, and file for VA disability benefits.
Benefit Office Serving Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
While there is help available for preparing your claim and filing for VA disability benefits through the Pittsburgh Regional Benefit Office, there are also other resources available to you. Veterans of the U.S. military and their families can also learn more about available benefits and services through Allegheny County Veterans’ Services.
The staff at this office can help you understand the local, state, and federal benefits available, identify programs for which you may qualify, help connect you to resources, and guide you through the application process for VA health care, VA disability benefits, and more. They may know the types of evidence necessary to prove your case and may be able to help you ensure you have built the strongest possible claim.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania VA Medical Center
Your medical records play an important role in your VA disability benefits claim. You must provide proof that you have a current diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition. This diagnosis can come from:
- A private doctor at a clinic or emergency room
- A military doctor in the field or a military hospital
- VA doctor working in an outpatient clinic or VA medical center
VA shows no preference for who diagnoses your qualifying medical condition. If you qualify for VA health care, there are two VA health facilities in Pittsburgh. The main campus is Pittsburgh VA Medical Center, University Drive. This facility is located on University Drive C in Pittsburgh, and provides emergency care, inpatient treatment and care, surgery, specialists, and more.
The H. John Heinz III Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center at 1010 Delafield Road provides a range of outpatient services in addition to primary care. These services include:
- Transitional care
- Rehabilitation
- Dementia care
- Hospice services
- Ambulatory care
A diagnosis from a doctor at either of these VA facilities could qualify you for VA disability benefits, assuming your service record proved the condition occurred because of your military service or was worsened as a result.
You May Be Able to Fight VA Benefits Denial in Pittsburgh
Generally, a grant of VA disability benefits requires proof of three things:
- An in-service event, injury, or illness;
- A current diagnosis by a medical professional; and
- A medical nexus, or link, between your in-service event, injury, or illness and your current diagnosis.
If VA denied your claim for disability compensation, you have options for challenging their decision and potentially overturning the denial. You only have one year from the date on your denial notice, though, so you may want to act quickly to build a compelling case.
You can contact a VA disability attorney from Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD today by calling (800) 544-9144. Our veterans’ advocates will review your case for free to see if we can assist.
Since the implementation of the new system under the Appeals Modernization Act in February 2019, there are now three options for appealing a denial of VA benefits.
- File a Supplemental Claim with which you submit any new and relevant evidence;
- Request a Higher-Level Review by a more senior VA employee; or
- Submit a Notice of Disagreement to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals
We may be able to help you navigate the process and determine the option that best fits your situation.
Talk to VA Disability Attorney Serving Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
If you filed a claim for VA disability benefits in Pittsburgh and received a denial or a low combined disability rating, a VA disability attorney from Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to help. Our attorneys understand what it takes to build a case for disability benefits.
We can review your claim, medical records, service records, and other documentation and try to identify why VA denied your claim. Then, we may be able to help you build a compelling case for appeal.
We offer complimentary case reviews to military veterans seeking VA disability benefits. Call (800) 544-9144 now to discuss your denial with VA disability attorney serving Pittsburgh, PA.
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