Veteran (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Scranton, Pennsylvania
If you or someone you love were denied veterans’ (VA) disability benefits, an experienced VA disability lawyer serving Scranton, Pennsylvania may be able to help.
The team at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD knows that the veterans’ disability appeals process can be confusing, and that one small error or piece of missing information can result in a denial. We have helped thousands of veterans and are extremely familiar with the laws and procedures of VA.
If you were denied disability compensation or are unhappy with the decision you were given, a VA disability lawyer serving Scranton, Pennsylvania may be able to help. For a free, no-risk consultation, call (844) 549-4500.
VA Regional Benefit Office Serving Scranton, Pennsylvania
5000 Wissahickon Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19144
VA Medical Centers Serving Scranton, Pennsylvania
Allentown VA Outpatient Clinic
3110 Hamilton Blvd.
Allentown, PA 18103
5070 Ritter Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
1700 S. Lincoln Ave.
Lebanon, PA 17042
Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center
1111 East End Boulevard
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711-0030
How to Build a Strong Case for Your VA Disability Benefits Appeal
In order to be eligible for VA disability benefits, a veteran must be able to prove:
- 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.
We can help you collect supporting evidence as part of your claim or appeal.
An Event, Injury, or Illness
In order to show that you qualify for VA disability benefits, you must prove that some type of event—whether it be injury or illness—occurred during your time in service that caused or led to your current disability.
A Current Medical Condition
You also need to show that your current diagnosis is one VA considers disabling. VA uses a Schedule for Rating Disabilities which lists the conditions and the criteria you must meet to receive benefits for that condition. Our team will analyze your medical records and may get statements from your physician(s) to ensure you have the necessary proof to meet this qualification.
Medical Nexus
Finally, you must demonstrate a nexus (i.e. a direct link) between your medical condition and the event that occurred during your time in service. To do this, our team may gather evidence in the form of: military and medical records; statements from your family, friends, and fellow service members; and statements from your doctors and other medical experts.
How VA Determines Your Compensation
In order to determine the amount of compensation you should receive for your condition, VA will assign each of your conditions a disability rating. A disability rating is a percentage, ranging from 0 to 100 percent, that is meant to correspond with the severity of your disability and its impact on your ability to earn income. VA assigns a rating based upon the medical records, doctor’s statements, and other evidence provided, and your condition must be at least 10 percent disabling to qualify for compensation.
In addition, if you are at least 30 percent disabled and have dependents living in your home—whether they are children, a spouse, or your parents—you may qualify for additional compensation.
VA disability compensation levels, as of December 2019, are:
- 0 percent disability rating: $0.00 per month
- 10 percent disability rating: $142.29 per month
- 20 percent disability rating: $281.27 per month
- 30 percent disability rating: $435.69 per month
- 40 percent disability rating: $627.61 per month
- 50 percent disability rating: $893.43 per month
- 60 percent disability rating: $1,131.68 per month
- 70 percent disability rating: $1,426.17 per month
- 80 percent disability rating: $1,657.80 per month
- 90 percent disability rating: $1,862.96 per month
- 100 percent disability rating: $3,106.04 per month
If you disagree with the rating you received, we can help you file an appeal.
Call Today for a Free Consultation
Our team cares about our nation’s veterans, which is why we are committed to helping veterans receive their rightful disability benefits from VA.
Contact Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD today at (844) 549-4500 for a complimentary consultation with our team serving Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Scranton Blog Posts
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Denial of increased rating for bipolar disorder lacked adequate reasons or basesSummary The Veteran served on active duty in the Army from 1988 to 1990 and from 1999 to 2007. VA granted service connection for her bipolar disorder in April 2008 with a 30% rating, effective from April 2007. She appealed the 30% rating to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. The Board then remanded the claim […]
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VA’s Benefit of the Doubt DoctrineVA’s Benefit of the Doubt doctrine is a statutory and regulatory example of the non-adversarial nature of the VA disability claims process. When it comes to a balance of evidence, the tie is supposed to go the veteran. How does it work in practice? Explaining the Benefit of the Doubt Doctrine The Benefit of the […]
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What Is Deployment-Related Lung Disease?Deployment-Related Lung Disease is a term used to encompass a variety of lung diseases related to exposure to hazardous chemicals and inhalants during deployment in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. Those at risk of developing Deployment-Related Lung Disease due to toxic exposures are military service members and government contractors who deployed to countries in […]