Veteran (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Vancouver, Washington
Are you a resident of Vancouver who served in a branch of the military? If so, you may be entitled to disability compensation if you are dealing with a current medical condition that is connected to an event, injury, or illness from your time in the military.
Unfortunately, securing these benefits if not always easy. Some veterans have their initial VA benefits claims denied. When this occurs, you may wish to appeal the denial with the assistance of a veteran (VA) disability lawyer serving Vancouver, Washington from Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. We use our knowledge and experience to appeal wrongful benefit denials for Vancouver veterans.
Find out more about how to appeal a VA decision with Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD by calling (800) 544-9144.
Vancouver VA Benefit Resources
Getting medical attention and VA assistance in Vancouver may require you to visit a clinic or medical center. There are several VA medical facilities within driving distance of Vancouver. You may also wish to contact the regional benefit office for the state, located in Seattle.
Washington VA Regional Benefit Office
Vancouver Area VA Medical Centers
- Portland VA Medical Center-Vancouver
- Portland VA Clinic
- Portland VA Medical Center
- Hillsboro VA Clinic
- Fairview VA Clinic
- West Linn VA Clinic
- Salem VA Clinic
Vancouver VA Statistics
Many veterans make their homes in Washington State. Clark County—where Vancouver is located—has the sixth-largest veteran population in the state. The Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs reports that there were around 35,000 veterans in Clark County as of 2017. At this time, 24 percent of these veterans were receiving either VA disability or pension benefits.
A VA Disability Lawyer May Be Able to Help You
Receiving a denial for VA benefits may be difficult to handle. However, a denial does not necessarily mean you will be unable to secure VA disability benefits. You may be able to file an appeal to get the initial denial overturned.
You do not have to face the appeal process alone. A veteran (VA) disability lawyer serving Vancouver, Washington from Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to handle your case.
In order to secure benefits through an appeal, you may be required to show that:
- You experienced an injury, illness, or event while in service to the military;
- You are currently diagnosed with a medical condition that qualifies as disabling; and
- You have a medical nexus, or link, connecting your in-service event to your current medical condition
Depending upon your situation, a lawyer may need to demonstrate that there is a “nexus” connection between an event in your military service history and your current medical condition. Establishing this connection may require your lawyer to look into your:
- Service record
- Medical history
- Test results
- Statements from your doctor
Your attorney may also utilize the testimony of expert witnesses to connect your military service to your current medical condition. In-service events that may lead to a disabling condition could include training exercises, combat situations, or even exposure to dangerous chemical substances.
Note that, sometimes, VA presumes a service connection for certain in-service events and medical conditions. In this situation, your lawyer may be able to move forward with your appeal based upon this presumption.
Contact Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD at (800) 544-9144 for a free consultation to see if we can assist.
VA Combined Disability Compensation Levels in Vancouver
If granted disability benefits, VA will assign you a disability rating based on the severity of your symptoms. If you have multiple service-connected conditions, your ratings will be added together to create your combined disability rating.
Ratings are assigned on a scale of 0 to 100 percent. Individuals with mild health conditions may receive a relatively low amount of compensation. However, a higher combined disability rating may allow you to secure a larger amount of compensation.
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
Some veterans may be entitled to additional funds if their combined disability rating is at least 30 percent and they have a dependent spouse, children, or parents.
Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDUI) in Vancouver
In some cases, you may apply for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) compensation in Vancouver. This form of compensation may allow you to get 100 percent of the possible VA disability compensation on a monthly basis, even if you do not have a combined disability rating totaling 100 percent..
However, not everyone qualifies for TDIU coverage. If you are unable to work and earn a reasonable wage, you may be eligible for TDIU compensation.
Call Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD for a Free Consultation
Do you believe that your VA benefits were unfairly denied? If so, a veteran (VA) disability lawyer serving Vancouver, Washington from Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to help you build a strong case for appeal.
To get started, call Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD today at (800) 544-9144.
Vancouver Blog Posts
- Congressional Letter Sent to VA Secretary: Unaccredited Scammers
On September 14, 2023, a group of US Senators wrote a letter to VA Secretary McDonough addressing protections for veterans against dealing with unaccredited claims consultants, or as the letter refers to them “predatory, quasi-legal claims consultants.” Why Did Senators Send a Letter to VA Secretary McDonough? The letter was sent by a group of […]
- VA’s Gulf War Presumptions for VA Disability Benefits
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- Preparation for Decision in VA Claims: What It Means
Preparation for Decision is one of the final stages of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) standard claims process. During Preparation for Decision, the VA Regional Office prepares documentation showing a decision recommendation for a veteran’s claim. Read on for more information about Preparation for Decision in VA claims, what it means, and how to […]