Mullica Hill Veterans’ Benefits Lawyer

Veterans have sacrificed a lot for our country. Often, this includes suffering from illnesses and injuries that leave them permanently disabled. Many veterans are eligible to receive disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). These are monthly benefits and they are critical for veterans who have been either permanently or partially affected by their condition. Our Mullica Hill veterans’ benefits lawyers understand and appreciate the sacrifice our servicemen and women have made to protect our freedom. It is why we are so committed to assisting veterans who are eligible for benefits obtain the full amount they need and deserve.

How Can Our Veterans’ Benefits Lawyer Help?

Veterans can apply for benefits without the help of a Mullica Hill veterans’ benefits lawyer, but that is not recommended. The process of applying for benefits can become extremely complicated and these claims are governed by many different laws, rules, and regulations. When working on a case, a lawyer will:

Listen to all questions and provide the necessary answers so every veteran knows what to expect from the process
Collect evidence to support the claim
Ensure every claim is accurate and complete and contains all the necessary documents and evidence to give every person the best chance of a positive outcome
Work as an advocate for every veteran they represent
Advice on the best path forward for receiving the benefits a person is entitled to

Who is Eligible for Veterans’ Benefits?

Veterans can receive veterans’ benefits when they have suffered a mental or physical injury while they were in service. As with most benefit programs in the country, veterans must meet certain eligibility requirements to receive benefits. These eligibility requirements include:

Service in the Uniform Services on inactive duty for training, active duty for training, or active duty
Being discharged from service for any reason, except for dishonorable discharge
A disability that is classified as being at least ten percent

While service members on inactive duty for training are sometimes eligible to receive veterans’ benefits, they are harder to obtain. These individuals must have suffered from a heart attack, stroke, or injury before they can receive benefits.

As long as a veteran meets the eligibility requirements, they can receive veterans’ benefits. However, there are some conditions and illnesses that are more common than others in these claims. These include:

Back injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Injuries to the spinal cord
Loss of vision or hearing
Brain injuries
Amputation

Sadly, a person’s word that they have suffered from one of the above injuries or conditions is not enough. They must have valid proof that they have been injured during their time of service. Usually, the evidence needed to prove this is obtained in the form of medical records. Still, there are times when the VA will presume that a veteran is suffering from a partial or whole disability. These instances include:

When a veteran has a specific serious or tropical disease they developed after serving for a certain period
Veterans who were formerly a prisoner of war
Veterans who were exposed to specific herbicides during their time in service, particularly those who served in Vietnam
Veterans who were exposed to ionizing radiation, Lewisite, or mustard gas during their time in service
Served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War

Applying for Veterans’ Benefits

Veterans who suffered from a disability while they were serving our country and who are eligible for receiving benefits can start the application process, but it is filled with complications. A Mullica Hill veterans’ benefits lawyer will collect the necessary evidence, compile all documents and evidence in a complete and organized manner, and make sure the entire application is filed on time. The VA also has many requirements for any evidence that is submitted with the claim. This evidence can include:

DD Form 214 discharge papers
Service treatment records, when possible
Medical records from any physician, medical center, or hospital that provided treatment

It is generally recommended that veterans provide as much information as to when they are submitting their claim. The more documentation the VA has when they are reviewing a claim, the better they are to evaluate it and determine if the veteran has the right to claim benefits. In the event the VA needs more information from a federal agency, they will make every reasonable attempt to collect that information on their own. If the VA needs more information from a private company or individual, such as a doctor who provided treatment, it is the veterans’ responsibility to obtain that information.

Some claims are classified as being fully developed. The VA considers these claims complete and so, they will not make any attempts to collect missing information, even when that information can be obtained from a federal agency. As a result, veterans are responsible for collecting all evidence for these claims on their own.

A Denial for VA Benefits Can Be Appealed

Too many veterans are denied the benefits they need every year and many of these simply give up, thinking there is no way to obtain the benefits they need. Fortunately, that is not the case. Veterans can appeal a denial but again, this process is also extremely complex. It involves:

Filing a Notice of Disagreement with the local VA office or VA medical center
Obtaining a statement of the case from the VA, which will explain the reason for the denial
Filing a substantive appeal
Attending a hearing in-person or virtually when a person chooses to waive their right to file a substantive appeal
Awaiting a decision made by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals when a person has chosen to file a substantive appeal

Our Veterans’ Benefits Lawyer in Mullica Hill Can Help

If you are a veteran who was injured while in service, our Mullica Hill veterans’ benefits lawyer can assist with your case. At Scott Counsel, P.C., our knowledgeable attorney can provide the sound legal advice you need and give you the best chance of a successful outcome. Call us today at (856) 672-7248 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.

Nancy

– When my son, who has Cystic Fibrosis and CF related diabetes, was suddenly and unexpectedly removed from his Medicaid program, we were devastated and frightened not knowing where we would get the resources to pay for his extremely high priced prescriptions. Justin was the attorney who handled our case. From the very beginning, he proved to be very thorough and experienced with navigating the process of reversing the Medicaid decision. However, it was his apparent kind, caring nature that made us feel the most at ease. Justin was successful in securing a continuation of benefits for my son, and we are extremely grateful for having his expertise during this most stressful ongoing process. Thank you, Justin!