Veterans face unique challenges when seeking benefits for service-connected injuries. He or she has to prove more than just the injury impacting their ability to work, they must also demonstrate a connection between their injury and their time in the service. A Colorado Springs Veterans disability lawyer can help you conquer those challenges.
As the largest Veterans law firm in the country, our team of VA-accredited attorneys is dedicated exclusively to representing Veterans injured in service. The team at Fight4Vets simplifies and streamlines the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) benefits process.
Establishing a nexus between the service-related event and the current disability is crucial, but can be challenging. Not all physical and mental conditions are immediately recognized as presumptive service-connected injuries. However, almost any disability can be eligible for benefits, as long as it is service-connected and impacts the Veteran’s earning capacity.
Fight4Vets is experienced in cases involving conditions with the knee, ankle, neck, and spine, as well as traumatic brain injuries. Many Veterans also experience mental conditions—including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—that can be difficult to link to military service directly.
Other conditions, like chronic pain, Gulf War Syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, chronic back or spine pain, and exposure-related cancer, may require an in-depth review of medical records and personal accounts to build the necessary evidence. A Veterans disability attorney can help a Colorado Springs Veteran to gather compelling Lay Statements from family, friends, or fellow service members that support the connection between the military service and the ongoing disability.
When a Veteran establishes a clear nexus for his or her service-connected injuries, the VA can approve them for monthly benefits. The amount of benefits depends on that year’s guidelines, the severity of the injury, and factors like whether the Veteran has a spouse or children. We provide a Veterans disability calculator that can give you some idea of what you might be owed.
However, the more substantial their disability is, the more difficult it can be for a Veteran to handle the VA process. A VA-accredited attorney can help someone in Colorado Springs or Fort Carson Army Base by ensuring the accurate presentation of every piece of evidence.
Veterans should prepare for an initial denial because the VA routinely denies claims. Fortunately, there are three ways to appeal denials: supplemental claims, higher-level review, and Board appeal.
When there is new and relevant evidence that was not considered at the time of the denial is available, a Supplemental Claim may be the best route. It allows the VA to consider new evidence. However, it is not the way to increase existing benefits.
Higher-level reviews do not permit applications to enter new evidence. Instead, a senior reviewer reexamines the claim to determine whether the initial decision was based on an error or difference of opinion. They take place at the Regional Office.
A Board appeal takes a claim to a Veterans law judge who can either provide a direct review, allow for the submission of new evidence, or allow a hearing.
The VA disability process is notoriously strict, often leading to denials of valid claims. However, it is important to understand the information the VA looks for, the potential for denials, and the appeals options.
In the Colorado Springs region, which includes Fort Carson Army Base, Peterson AFB, and Schriever AFB, we stand ready to support Veterans who are looking for VA benefits. Schedule your free case consultation now.
