Veterans (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Rutland, VT
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers disability compensation to veterans living in Rutland, Vermont with a medical condition related to their military service. If you have a service-related condition, you may be eligible for such benefits.
If you already filed a disability claim but VA denied you benefits, a Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick veterans (VA) disability lawyer serving Rutland, VT may be able to help. Reach out to CCK today at 800-544-9144 for a free consultation.
VA Resources Serving Rutland, Vermont
Disabled veterans living in Rutland, Vermont have access to several VA resources, including a VA Clinic and a Regional Benefit Office.
VA Clinic
The Rutland VA Outpatient Clinic offers primary care to veterans living in Rutland and the surrounding areas. It also provides specialty services, such as cardiology, gynecology, pharmaceutical care, radiology, and more. Veterans can contact the Rutland VA Clinic by calling 802-772-2300.
Regional Office
The White River Junction Regional Office provides veterans living in Rutland, VT with claims assistance and other VA resources. Rutland veterans can schedule a virtual appointment through the Visitor Engagement Reporting Application (VERA).
How to Secure VA Benefits in Rutland, Vermont
If you have a service-related disability, you can file a claim for service-connected benefits using VA Form 21-526EZ. Generally, to prove service connection and qualify for such benefits, veterans must have evidence of the following three things:
- An in-service event, injury, or illness;
- A current diagnosis of a disabling condition by a medical professional; and
- A nexus, or link, between the in-service event and current disability.
The nexus element is essential to establishing service connection. Veterans can request a nexus letter from their private physician to fulfill this requirement, or VA may schedule a compensation and pension (C&P) exam to determine if a link between the in-service event and current disability exists.
VA Disability Ratings & Compensation Amounts
Once service connection is confirmed, VA will assign you a disability rating based on the severity your condition. Disability ratings, which range from 0 to 100 percent in increments of 10 percent, determine your monthly compensation amount.
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
What Benefits Does a 100% Disabled Veteran Get in Rutland, VT?
As mentioned above, a veteran with a 100 percent disability rating and no dependents receives $3,332.06 per month from VA as of December 1st, 2021. Additionally, they may be eligible for the following benefits:
- Medical, dental, and mental health care from VA’s Health Care Priority Group 1;
- A grant from VA to help build, modify, or buy a specially adapted home to meet a veteran’s needs;
- Military identification cards;
- Emergency care outside of VA;
- State-offered benefits (e.g., vehicle registration)
- Dependents Educational Assistance program;
- Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) services;
- And more.
Appealing a VA Decision
If VA denied your claim for benefits, there are three ways to appeal this decision:
- Higher-Level Review: Request a review of your current claim by a senior VA employee;
- Supplemental Claim: Submit new and relevant evidence as part of a Supplemental Claim; or
- Notice of Disagreement: File a Notice of Disagreement with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
Should I Get a Veterans (VA) Disability Attorney?
It is important to note that VA regulates who can represent claimants 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. Veteran representatives are not allowed to charge fees based on any future benefits.
A veterans (VA) disability attorney serving Rutland, VT from Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick can help you navigate the entire appeals process. The experienced and knowledgeable CCK team can also represent you before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), if needed.
How Can CCK Help Rutland, VT Veterans?
If VA denied your claim for benefits, a Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick veterans (VA) disability attorney serving Rutland, VT may be able to help. The dedicated attorneys and accredited claims agents at CCK have decades of experience assisting veterans in securing disability compensation on appeal and we can put our resources to work for you.
Call CCK today at 800-544-9144 to schedule your free consultation.
Rutland Blog Posts
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