Veteran (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Pennsylvania
Are you a Pennsylvania resident? Did you serve in the military? Do you currently suffer from a disabling medical condition due to your time in service? If so, you might be entitled to VA service-connected disability benefits. Unfortunately, proving this is harder than you might think, and many deserving veterans receive denials.
If this happened to you, a VA disability lawyer serving Pennsylvania can help you appeal your denial and get the compensation you deserve. Call 800-544-9144 for a free consultation with Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD.
Pennsylvania VA Benefit Resources
Pennsylvania VA Regional Benefit Offices
Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh Regional Benefit Office
Philadelphia: Philadelphia Regional Benefit Office
Pennsylvania VA Medical Centers
Altoona: Altoona – James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center
Butler: VA Butler Healthcare
Coatesville: Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Erie: Erie VA Medical Center
Lebanon: Lebanon VA Medical Center
Philadelphia: Philadelphia VA Medical Center
Pittsburgh: VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, H.J. Heinz Campus
Pittsburgh: VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, University Drive Campus
Wilkes-Barre: Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center
Pennsylvania VA Statistics
As of 2016, Pennsylvania has:
- Over 845,000 veterans living in the state (roughly 8.7 percent of the state’s adult population).
- Over 121,000 state residents receiving VA disability benefits.
- Nearly 350,000 veterans in currently enrolled in the VA health care system (232,000 have sought treatment at a VA medical center).
Nearly 54 percent of veterans living in Pennsylvania are 65 years or older, and over six percent are military retirees, meaning they served enough years to receive full military retirement benefits.
Winning VA Disability Benefits in Pennsylvania
Unfortunately, benefit denials are common for disabled veterans, so if your application was denied, you are not alone. The VA disability lawyers at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD can review your claim, strengthen it, gather evidence and supporting documentation, and help you improve your chances of receiving a grant.
To receive a grant of service connection, we must be able to demonstrate the following:
- Evidence of an illness, injury, or event that occurred during active duty military service;
- A current diagnosis of a disabling medical condition from a qualified professional; and
- A nexus, or link, connecting an event in your military service to your diagnosis.
The nexus medical opinion is vital to any claim. Without a strong link showing a cause-and-effect relationship between your military service and your diagnosis, your chances of receiving an approval for benefits are low.
For instance, we might present evidence that you sustained a back injury during a training exercise, which led to a chronic back condition. If your time in service caused damage to your hearing, we can gather documentation showing repeated noise exposure during combat or training, leading to hearing loss.
We thoroughly develop your case by getting copies of your military personnel and medical records, post-service medical records, physician statements, and the testimony of medical experts.
VA Disability Compensation Levels
The first step in the process is receiving a grant of service connection. Next, we help you earn the highest possible combined disability rating, as this rating determines the amount of compensation you receive each month.
Disability ratings range from 0 percent, a level at which you do not receive a monthly check but might qualify for ancillary benefits (such as health care), to 100 percent, a rating that signifies full disability and makes you eligible for the highest schedular amount of 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
If you receive a rating of 30 percent or higher, you could qualify for additional benefits for household members who depend on you financially, such as your spouse, children, or dependent parents.
For a Free Consultation, Call Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD: 800-544-9144.
You sacrificed your health to serve our country, and for that, we believe you deserve to be taken care of. Our attorneys want to make sure that happens. To see how we can help with your appeal, call us at 800-544-9144 today for a free consultation.
Pennsylvania Blog Posts
- Gulf War Illness and VA Disability
“Gulf War Illness” and “Gulf War Syndrome” refer to some of the conditions veterans have developed as a result of their service in the Persian Gulf War. Our panel discussed how to navigate the complex area of Gulf War claims and some common mistakes VA makes when adjudicating these claims. Play What Is […]
- What Is the VA Disability 5-Year Rule?
What Is the VA Disability 5-Year Rule? The VA disability rating 5-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot reduce a veteran’s disability rating if it has been in place for five years or more unless the condition shows sustained improvement over time. In this situation, the veteran’s rating is considered […]
- VA Secondary Conditions to Diabetes Mellitus Type II
Diabetes can cause a wide range of other medical issues. Veterans who are service-connected for diabetes and develop a secondary condition could qualify for VA disability benefits for the secondary disability. Diabetes Mellitus Type II Explained Diabetes mellitus type II is a chronic condition that affects the way an individual’s body metabolizes glucose (i.e., sugar). […]