Seeking Compensation through Legal Action

Army veterans have fought long and hard for the freedom of our country and that of other countries. Having returned from duty, one would think that their struggles have ended, but that is hardly the case. Veterans can come home psychologically damaged, gravely injured and, in many cases, disabled. Although the US Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) has been built on the grounds of serving our heroes, seeking compensation for our veterans has become another war of its own.

Many of the problems American veterans are having with their medical coverage aren’t medical problems. They’re documentation problems, bureaucratic problems, eligibility problems … in short, legal problems. For all the well-publicized trouble vets have been having in terms of getting to see health care professionals, it has become clear that some of them need the help of legal professionals before they can get to the medical ones.

Now the American Bar Association has stepped forward to establish something called the Veterans Claims Assistance Network to help vets with their claims applications.

ABA President James R. Silkenat said the help his organization can provide is mostly procedural, but it’s a service too many vets either don’t know is available or can’t afford.

“Lawyers fundamentally understand what it takes to assemble evidence and present a persuasive case,” Silkenat said in a news release.

A disability lawyer for veterans will help them seek the benefits and compensation for their services rendered and disabilities incurred while on duty. The strict guidelines set by the USDVA and, at times, procedural lapses when it comes to handling their applications and requests, have left veterans disappointed and without any financial aid to support them. If the government cannot give them the compensation for defending their country, then who will support them?

Disability Compensation is a tax-free benefit paid to veterans on a monthly basis—for veterans who are at least 10% disabled during active duty, active duty for training or inactive during training. These disabilities do apply to physical conditions and mental health-related ones such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and victims of chemical warfare—soldiers who have fought in Vietnam and had been exposed to Agent Orange. Those who were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions are eligible for compensation.

Though these benefits and compensation may not be enough for all that the veterans have done for us, they are still worth claiming for, especially to those who have been disabled because of it. When it becomes too difficult for them to apply for and get compensation, legal action can be of great service to them. Finding good disability lawyers for veterans is the first step.

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(Source: Legal community steps up to help troubled veterans, Ledger-Enquirer, August 5, 2014)

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