We owe our veterans in Fort Lauderdale for all they have done to protect our country. That’s why our veterans’ benefits attorneys at Morgan & Morgan feel so strongly about helping the brave men and women who have been injured or disabled as a result of their service to get the benefits they need and deserve.
Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not always make it easy for veterans to get their disability veterans. Even a small clerical error in the paperwork can lead to a rejected claim, resulting in serious financial hardship for veterans and their families.
That’s why veterans who have been disabled during or as a result of their time in duty should contact an experienced attorney in Fort Lauderdale to represent their best interests from the very start.
Our attorneys can help make sure your application for disability benefits complies with all necessary rules and regulations. We will also help you through the complex appeals process if your previous claim for benefits was denied.
Fill out our free, no-risk case evaluation form today to learn how our attorneys in Fort Lauderdale can help you today.
Eligibility for Veterans Disability Benefits
According to the VA, in order to qualify for your disability benefits, you must these four basic requirements:
- The applicant must be a veteran;
- The applicant must have a current medical condition;
- The applicant must have sustained an injury or disease that happened during service; and
- The applicant’s current disability must be related to their time in duty.
Proving that the veteran’s disability or illness was related to service can often be difficult and can require medical diagnosis that proves a connected between an in-service injury and the current disability.
Types of Disabilities That Qualify for Benefits
A list of disabilities that qualify for benefits under the VA include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Loss of limb;
- Hearing impairment;
- Diseases related to toxic exposure;
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI);
- Spinal cord injuries;
- Shrapnel wounds;
- Nerve damage;
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and
- Anxiety and depression.
The exact amount of disability benefits paid out by the VA program is dependent upon the severity of the disability. The spouse and children of veterans with severe disabilities or loss of a limb may receive additional payments, as well.
Appealing Denied Benefits
Often times, veterans will have their initial claim denied by the VA, and they will need to file an appeal. Our attorneys can help you with all stages of the appeal process, including:
Review by the Local VA Office: Your attorney may file a Notice of Disagreement with the VA office in Fort Lauderdale if your claim has been denied. The Notice of Disagreement must be submitted within one year of the date that your VA office mailed its original decision denying your claim.
File an Appeal with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals: If your claim remains denied after the review by the VA Office in Fort Lauderdale, your attorney may file an appeal with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. As part of the appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, you have the right to a personal hearing.
File an Appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims: The final step in the veterans’ appeal process is filing a lawsuit with the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. If your claim was improperly denied by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, your attorney may file a Notice of Appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to get you justice.
Our Veteran’s Disability Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale Can Help
Our Fort Lauderdale veterans’ benefits attorneys will fight to secure the rightful benefits for veterans with disabilities. We also can help surviving spouses and surviving children of veterans who have died while on active duty or due to a military service related illness to recover the compensation they need for financial stability. If you or someone you love is a veteran with a disability who is struggling to get the benefits they deserve from the VA, we may be able to help. Fill out our free, no-risk case evaluation form to learn more today.