Getting Veterans (VA) Disability for Toxic Chemical Medical Condition

If you were exposed to toxic chemicals during your military service and later became sick, you might be eligible for veterans (VA) disability benefits.  The Department of Veterans Affairs awards disability benefits to many veterans who were exposed to pesticides, toxic water, burn pits, and other dangerous chemicals while serving.

Unfortunately, not every veteran who applies for benefits gets a grant. The process is difficult and the VA has a reputation for making seemingly arbitrary decisions. Many veterans who have diagnosed medical conditions arising from their military service receive denials for questionable reasons. Often, it is something simple, such as omitting a random piece of documentation from their application.  But sometimes, receiving a grant of benefits can be complex.

The skilled VA disability lawyers at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD have won disability benefits for thousands of veterans. Many of our clients were previously denied by the VA, and we were able to appeal their cases and ultimately win them the benefits they deserved. We are familiar with the intricate and complex nuances of the VA appeals process, and will fight relentlessly to get you the benefits you deserve.

Call today for a free consultation: 401-331-6300.

Getting VA Disability Benefits for Toxic Chemical Medical Conditions

Unfortunately, exposure to toxic chemicals is common among military veterans. There are countless ways in which you might have been exposed during your service. Our team of veterans’ advocates will discuss your situation with you, collect all necessary evidence, and submit thorough and compelling legal arguments on your behalf to bolster your chances of a successful outcome.

Here are a few well-known sources of toxic chemicals that have affected veterans. If you believe you were exposed to any of the following, contact Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD immediately so we can begin building a case on your behalf:

Agent Orange

Agent Orange was a pesticide used to clear foliage during the Vietnam War.  VA has acknowledged its use in Vietnam, the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and Thailand in certain circumstances. The military also stored it in many other locations. Many U.S. soldiers were exposed to the substance in the process, and medical experts have linked it to a host of ailments.

If you served in the following areas, the VA presumes exposure to Agent Orange and grants automatic service connection for certain medical conditions:

• Vietnam between 1962 and 1975;
• The Korean DMZ between September 1, 1967 and May 7, 1975; and
• Thailand between 1962 and 1975, for certain military occupational specialties.

Burn Pits

For many years, the military used burn pits to eliminate waste in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. These pits released toxic chemicals that medical experts have linked to respiratory, cardiovascular, eye, skin, and other ailments.

If you served in the Southwest Asia Theatre of Operations in the Post-9/11 Era and have been diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition, our team can build a case for VA benefits on the basis of burn pit exposure.

Toxic Water

Did you know that a recent report in The Philadelphia Inquirer revealed that over 400 U.S. military bases require testing for contaminated water supplies?

The most infamous of these is Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Veterans who were stationed there between 1953 and 1987 could be eligible for benefits based on presumed exposure to toxic water.

Other Toxic Chemicals

The potential for toxic chemical exposure is not limited to the situations listed above. If you were diagnosed with a medical condition you believe is due to an exposure you suffered during service, our team can help.

How Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD Fights for Your VA Benefits

We fight for you by proving three things to the VA:

• You were exposed to toxic chemicals during your service.
• You have a diagnosis of a disabling medical condition.
• A definitive link exists between your exposure and your diagnosis.

Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

Based on your service record, we can determine if you might have been exposed to Agent Orange, burn pits, toxic water, or other dangerous chemicals while in the military.

You might have been exposed to something during an overseas deployment or training exercise, or while stationed stateside, and not realized it. Our attorneys have many years of combined experience with these types of cases, and we will not let anything escape our notice.

Current Medical Diagnosis

The VA has a long list of conditions eligible for service-connected compensation benefits as long as we can establish service connection. This includes:

• Cancer
• Parkinson’s disease
• ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
• Aplastic anemia
• Cardiovascular disease
• Respiratory ailments
• Skin conditions
• Mental health conditions
• And many others

Even if your diagnosis does not fall in the categories listed above, you may still be eligible.  Call us to discuss your situation further.

Medical Link

In many situations, such as service in Vietnam during the Vietnam War or at Camp Lejeune, you do not have to provide a medical link, or nexus, between your service and your qualifying diagnosis.  The VA presumes your exposure to toxic chemicals caused your medical condition.
But in other cases, the most vital part of our job is connecting your current diagnosed medical condition to your military service. We have extensive resources we are ready to put to work for you.

Our Attorneys Want to Get You the Benefits You Deserve

Our goal is to see to it that the Department of Veterans Affairs grants your appeal and award you the highest benefit amount to which you are entitled.

As of 2017, VA disability benefits range from under $150 per month to nearly $3,000 per month. The severity of your condition and its impact on your daily life both contribute to the benefit amount you will ultimately receive.

We amass substantial evidence on your behalf and fight aggressively for the maximum benefits. Our attorneys have a strong track record of winning benefits for disabled veterans.

Call 401-331-6300 for a Free Consultation

Our attorneys are ready to start fighting for your VA disability benefits right away. The sooner you start the process, the sooner you can get your first check. Let us handle everything for you so you can focus on your health and your family. Call today for a free consultation: 401-331-6300.