Veterans (VA) Disability Lawyer Serving Charleston, West Virginia
If you are a veteran living with a service-related disability in Charleston, West Virginia, you may qualify for compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA offers monthly disability benefits to veterans who have injuries or illnesses connected to their activity duty in the U.S. military.
If you filed a disability claim and VA denied you benefits, a Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD veterans (VA) disability lawyer serving Charleston, West Virginia may be able to help you appeal the decision. The dedicated and experienced agents and attorneys at CCK know what it takes to secure VA compensation for veterans.
Call CCK today at 800-544-9144 for a free case review.
VA Facilities Serving Charleston, West Virginia
VA offers several medical and non-medical resources to veterans living in Charleston, West Virginia, including a VA Clinic, a Medical Center, a Regional Benefit Office, and more.
VA Clinics
West Virginia veterans living in the Charleston area can access primary and personal care at the Charleston VA Clinic in South Charleston. This Community Based Outpatient Clinic also provides laboratory, optometry, mental health services, specialty care referrals, routine prescriptions, and more.
The Hershel Woody Williams VA Medical Center in Huntington is the closest VA Medical Center to Charleston, West Virginia. Veterans who visit the Charleston VA Clinic may be referred to the Huntington Medical Center for specialty or emergency care.
If you want to reach out to a specific department or learn more about the services offered, Hershel Woody Williams VA Medical Center provides a full phone directory.
VA Regional Benefit Office
The Huntington Regional Office in Huntington, West Virginia serves the entire state of West Virginia. The Regional Benefit Office offers veteran compensation, education resources, employment services, loan guaranty, outreach, counseling about VA benefits, and more.
Veterans can schedule a phone call or a virtual video chat through the Huntington Regional Office online booking system or by calling 304-399-9205.
Veterans living in Charleston can access in-person services from the office at the Charleston, WV Vet Center. The Charleston Vet Center also offers individual, group, and family counseling for veterans, employment referral, community outreach and education, and more.
Securing VA Disability Benefits in Charleston, West Virginia
Veterans in Charleston, West Virginia seeking disability benefits for their service-related injuries or illnesses can file a claim with VA. VA generally grants compensation to veterans who have proof 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 link, or “nexus,” between the in-service event and disability.
VA will sometimes schedule a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam to fulfill the nexus element, but veterans can also secure their own nexus opinion. Qualified medical professionals can write medical nexus letters in support of their claim.
After the veteran establishes service connection, VA will assign a disability rating and award a grant of benefits. VA disability ratings—ranging from 0 to 100 percent and increasing by increments of 10—depend on the severity of the veteran’s condition or conditions.
What Benefits Does a 100% Disabled Veteran Get?
A veteran in Charleston, West Virginia with a 100 percent rating is considered totally disabled by VA and receives the highest benefit amount for a single person with no dependents.
As of December 1st, 2024, the VA disability rate benefit amounts are as follows:
- 0 percent disability rating: $0.00 per month
- 10 percent disability rating: $175.51 per month
- 20 percent disability rating: $346.95 per month
- 30 percent disability rating: $537.42 per month
- 40 percent disability rating: $774.16 per month
- 50 percent disability rating: $1,102.04 per month
- 60 percent disability rating: $1,395.93 per month
- 70 percent disability rating: $1,759.19 per month
- 80 percent disability rating: $2,044.89 per month
- 90 percent disability rating: $2,297.96 per month
- 100 percent disability rating: $3,831.30 per month
Veterans with a 100 percent rating may also qualify for additional benefits, including:
- Medical, dental, and mental health care from VA’s Health Care Priority Group 1;
- Dependents Education Assistance Program;
- 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;
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC);
- State-offered benefits (e.g., vehicle registration);
- And more.
How to Appeal a VA Denial
In 2019, the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) was implemented, streamlining the appeals process. There are now three ways for veterans to file an appeal:
- Request a Higher-Level Review of your current claim by a senior VA employee;
- Submit new and relevant evidence as part of a Supplemental Claim; or
- File a Notice of Disagreement with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
Should I Get a Veterans (VA) Disability Attorney?
VA regulates who can represent a veteran and how much they can be paid under 38 CFR § 14.636. Veterans (VA) accredited agents and disability attorneys can assist you in gathering evidence to support your claim and help you navigate the VA appeals process.
A veterans (VA) disability lawyer typically charges fees based on recovered retroactive benefits. Fees over 33.3 percent are considered unreasonable and fees equal to or below 20 percent are presumed reasonable.
How CCK Can Help You Secure Benefits in Charleston, West Virginia
A Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD veterans (VA) disability lawyer serving Charleston, West Virginia may be able to assist you in choosing the appeals lane that works best for your situation. Our team of knowledgeable accredited attorneys know how to gather relevant evidence and fight VA denials.
For more information or a complimentary case review, call CCK today at 800-544-9144.
Charleston Blog Posts
- VA Disability Ratings for Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a condition that arises when the spine has an abnormal curvature. Veterans who developed scoliosis during their service may be eligible to receive VA disability benefits for their condition. What is Scoliosis? Scoliosis occurs when the spine has a twist or a curve. People with scoliosis may have a curve in their spine […]
- List of Blue Water Navy Ships Exposed to Agent Orange
Blue Water Navy Veterans Vietnam-era Blue Water Navy veterans are considered to be those who served aboard ships in the open waters off the coast of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It is estimated that there are between 50,000 and 90,000 Blue Water Navy veterans. Historically, VA has excluded Blue Water Navy veterans from its […]
- Schedular vs. Extraschedular VA Disability Rating
When it comes to rating service-connected disabilities, VA relies on the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) to accurately rate veterans for their service-connected conditions. VA disability ratings are intended to compensate veterans for the loss of earning capacity due to a service-connected condition, or a group of conditions. Ratings on the VA rating schedule […]