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Veteran (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving South Dakota

Are you a South Dakota resident who served on active duty in the U.S. Military?  Do you currently suffer from a medical condition that stems from an injury, illness, or event in your military service?  If so, you may be eligible for disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

If VA denied your claim for disability compensation, a Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD veterans (VA) disability lawyer serving South Dakota may be able to help you put together a thorough, compelling appeal to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve.

Call CCK at 800-544-9144 for a free consultation.

South Dakota VA Benefit Resources

There are several VA resources in South Dakota, including a Regional Benefit Office in Sioux Falls, several Medical Centers, and multiple Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

VA Regional Office

VA Medical Centers in South Dakota

Community Based Outpatient Clinics

South Dakota VA Statistics

As of 2016, South Dakota has:

  • Nearly 66,000 residents who are veterans (10 percent of the state’s adult population)
  • Nearly 16,000 veterans receiving disability compensation
  • Over 39,000 veterans currently enrolled in the VA health care system (nearly 30,000 of these have sought treatment at a VA medical center)

More than 44 percent of the veterans living in South Dakota are 65 years or older, and 12.5 percent of veterans are military retirees.

How to File a Claim for VA Disability Benefits

To receive a grant of VA disability benefits, veterans must prove that their military service led to their disabling medical condition.  For your claim to be successful, you must establish:

  • An in-service event, injury, or illness;
  • A current diagnosis of a disabling condition by a medical professional; and
  • A medical nexus, or link, between the in-service event and current disability.

A medical nexus connects your current diagnosis to a specific injury, illness, or event that occurred during your military service.  In some cases, such as those involving prisoners of war or exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, VA presumes service connection.  In these situations, veterans do not need to establish a nexus.

VA Rates for Disability Compensation

VA disability ratings range from 0 to 100 percent, in increments of 10.  The higher this rating, the higher the amount of disability compensation.

Veterans with a 0 percent rating receive no compensation, but may be eligible for free health care and other benefits.  Veterans who are deemed 100 percent disabled by VA are entitled to the highest monthly benefit.

As of December 1st, 2023 the VA disability rate benefit amounts are as follows:

  • 0 percent disability rating: $0.00 per month
  • 10 percent disability rating: $171.23 per month
  • 20 percent disability rating: $338.49 per month
  • 30 percent disability rating: $524.31 per month
  • 40 percent disability rating: $755.28 per month
  • 50 percent disability rating: $1,075.16 per month
  • 60 percent disability rating: $1,361.88 per month
  • 70 percent disability rating: $1,716.28 per month
  • 80 percent disability rating: $1,995.01 per month
  • 90 percent disability rating: $2,241.91 per month
  • 100 percent disability rating: $3,737.85 per month

Veterans with at least a 30 percent combined disability rating and one or more dependents may qualify for additional compensation.

Should I Get a VA Disability Lawyer in South Dakota?

There are currently three ways to appeal a VA decision under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA):

A veterans (VA) disability lawyer may be able to help you determine which appeal lane best fits your situation.  It is also important to note that VA regulates who can represent a veteran and how much they can be paid under 38 CFR § 14.636.

An accredited veterans (VA) disability attorney typically charges on a contingency basis, meaning they will take a previously agreed upon percentage of recovered retroactive benefits.  It is illegal for attorneys to charge fees based on any future benefits.

Ready to Get Started? We Are Ready to Help! Call CCK Today.

You deserve to be taken care of for the sacrifices you made for our country, and we want to help.  The veterans (VA) disability lawyers serving South Dakota at CCK work to help veterans receive the highest level of compensation to which they are entitled.

To discuss your case with a CCK team member, call 800-544-9144 today.

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