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Veteran (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Vermont

Are you a Vermont resident who served on active duty in the military?  Are you suffering from a medical condition that you believe stems from an in-service event, injury, or illness?  If so, you may be eligible for disability compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

That said, the application process is often complex and frustrating.  Many veterans receive denials for medical conditions for which they should obtain compensation.  If VA denied your claim for disability benefits, you can appeal the decision.

A Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD veteran (VA) disability lawyer serving Vermont can help you avoid many of the common issues that have prevented other veterans from securing benefits on appeal.  Call CCK today at 800-544-9144 for a free consultation.

Vermont VA Benefit Resources

VA Regional Benefit Office

VA Medical Center

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Vermont VA Statistics

As of 2019, Vermont has:

  • Over 36,000 veterans living in the state (nearly nine percent of the state’s adult population).
  • Over 7,100 residents receiving VA disability benefits.
  • Over 20,000 veterans enrolled in the VA health care system (approximately 15,000 have sought treatment at a VA medical center).

Among Vermont’s veteran population, almost half are 65 years or older, and 8.7 percent are military retirees, having served enough years to retire from the service with full benefits.

Obtaining VA Disability Benefits in Vermont

To qualify for VA disability benefits in Vermont, you must prove to VA that an in-service event, illness, or injury led to your diagnosis of a disabling medical condition.  This process can be challenging, as it requires compelling evidence to prove your case.

A compelling claim must show these 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” represents the most important part of your claim for benefits.  No matter how severe your disability, you cannot get approved for VA disability benefits without showing that your condition is connected to your military service.

VA Disability Compensation Levels

After establishing service connection, VA will assign a disability rating based on the severity of your service-connected condition.  This disability rating is an important number, as it determines how much you will receive in monthly compensation.

VA assigns ratings from 0 to 100 percent in 10 percent increments.  A 0 percent rating signifies minimal disability and a 100 percent rating indicates full disability, making you eligible for the maximum 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 a combined disability rating of 30 percent or higher and at least one qualifying dependent can also receive additional compensation.

What Benefits Does a 100% Disabled Veteran Get in Vermont?

As mentioned above, veterans with a 100 percent rating are eligible for the maximum VA benefit amount, which is $3,332.06 per month as of December 1st, 2021.

Veterans with 100 percent disability ratings may also qualify for special monthly compensation (SMC), enrollment in VA’s Health Care Priority Group 1, the Dependents Educational Assistance program, state-offered benefits such as vehicle registration, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) services, and more.

Appealing a VA Denial of Benefits in Vermont

A denial can leave a veteran feeling as though there is nowhere to turn.  However, the veterans law team at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD has decades of experience handling VA disability cases and can help you put forth the strongest possible appeal.

There are currently three ways to appeal a VA denial of benefits:

How Much Can a Veterans (VA) Disability Lawyer Charge?

A veterans (VA) disability lawyer will typically charge on a contingency basis, meaning they will only take a previously agreed upon percentage of recovered retroactive benefits.  If the veteran does not win any benefits, the attorney will not be paid.  Accredited veterans’ advocates and attorneys cannot take a percentage of any future benefits a veteran may win.

It is also important to note that VA regulates how much a lawyer or agent can be paid under 38 CFR § 14.636.  Fees equal to or below 20 percent are considered reasonable by VA, while anything above 33.3 percent is presumed unreasonable.

Get Help with Your Appeal – Give CCK a Call Today

Our veterans deserve compensation for conditions they suffered serving our country.  We want to help make sure you receive it.  If VA denied your claim for benefits, a CCK veterans (VA) disability lawyer serving Vermont may be able to assist you in filing an appeal.

We offer free consultations to all veterans.  Call CCK today to schedule your complimentary case review at 800-544-9144.

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