Pennsylvania VA Disability Benefits Lawyer

Attorney Assisting With VA Disability Applications and Appeals in Pennsylvania

People who serve in the United States military often make sacrifices that can lead to long-term health challenges. Veterans who suffer from service-connected injuries or illnesses deserve the full range of benefits promised to them. However, the path to obtaining VA disability benefits is rarely straightforward. Complex forms and documents, strict eligibility requirements, and bureaucratic obstacles can affect a person's ability to receive the benefits they deserve.

At every stage of a VA disability claim, having knowledgeable legal assistance can make a significant difference. The Vet Law Office offers dedicated support to veterans in Pennsylvania, helping them receive the disability benefits they have earned. With a deep understanding of the VA system and a commitment to advocating for veterans' rights, Attorney Edward Farmer works to provide his clients with peace of mind throughout the process of filing a claim or appeal.

Eligibility Requirements for VA Disability Benefits

To qualify for VA disability benefits, a veteran must meet certain criteria:

• Service Requirements: The veteran must have performed active duty service in one of the branches of the U.S. military, and they must have received a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable.
• Disability Requirements: The veteran must have a current diagnosis of a disability, and they must demonstrate the extent to which the disability has affected their daily life and ability to work.
• Service Connection: The disability must be linked to the veteran's military service. This connection may be direct (such as a combat injury), secondary (a condition caused by a service-connected disability), or based on conditions presumed by the VA to be related to certain types of service (such as exposure to Agent Orange).

Establishing a clear and direct service connection is often the most critical and challenging part of the application. Our attorney can help veterans gather the evidence needed to demonstrate this link.

The Role of Compensation and Pension Exams

After an application is submitted, the VA may schedule a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. This medical examination assesses the severity of the veteran's disability and its connection to their military service. It will play a central role in determining the degree of functional impairment caused by the disability and the proper disability rating to assign.

Because the C&P exam can heavily influence the outcome of a claim, it is crucial for veterans to be fully prepared. They should clearly explain the symptoms they are experiencing and how those symptoms have affected their daily lives. Our VA disability attorney can help veterans prepare for these exams and address any inaccuracies that may arise in the examiner's report.

How the VA Determines a Veteran's Disability Rating

Once the VA establishes that a veteran is eligible for benefits, it will assign a disability rating based on the severity of the service-connected condition. Ratings are assigned in 10 percent increments, ranging from 0 percent to 100 percent. The VA uses a schedule of ratings that considers the impact of the disability on a veteran's ability to perform work and carry out daily activities. If a veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities, the VA uses a complex formula to calculate a combined disability rating rather than simply adding individual ratings together.

Disability ratings directly determine the amount of monthly compensation a veteran will receive. Therefore, obtaining the correct rating is essential to ensure that a veteran can maintain financial stability and access additional benefits, such as healthcare or vocational rehabilitation services.

Options for Veterans Facing Denials or Incorrect Disability Ratings

Receiving a denial of benefits or a disability rating that does not reflect a veteran's actual condition can be deeply discouraging. Fortunately, the VA provides several avenues for veterans to appeal these decisions:

Higher-Level Review

A veteran may request a Higher-Level Review if they believe the VA made a clear error in deciding their claim. A more senior adjudicator will review the case based on the existing evidence without considering new evidence.

Supplemental Claim

If new and relevant evidence becomes available, such as new medical reports or expert opinions, a veteran may file a supplemental claim. This provides the VA with additional information to reconsider the decision.

Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA)

Veterans can appeal directly to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. In these cases, a hearing may be held before a Veterans Law Judge, and the veteran will be able to submit new evidence or make arguments to strengthen their case.

Contact Our Pennsylvania VA Disability Benefits Attorney

Navigating the VA disability benefits system can be challenging, and legal representation can be crucial during this process. At The Vet Law Office, we are committed to helping Pennsylvania veterans obtain the benefits they deserve for service-connected disabilities. Whether you are applying for benefits for the first time or need to appeal an unfavorable decision, we are ready to assist you throughout every step of your claim. Contact us at 1-800-700-4174 to arrange a free consultation.

VA Health Centers in Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh VA Medical Center

University Drive C

Pittsburgh, PA 1240

H. John Heinz III Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

101 Delafield Road

Pittsburgh, PA 15240

James E. Van Zandt Veterans Administration Medical Center

2907 Pleasant Valley Boulevard

Altoona, PA 16602

Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

3900 Woodland Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19104

Butler VA Medical Center

325 New Castle Road

Butler, PA 16001

Coatesville VA Medical Center

1400 Black Horse Hill Road

Coatesville, PA 19320

Erie VA Medical Center

135 East 38th Street

Erie, PA 16504

Lebanon VA Medical Center

1700 South Lincoln Avenue

Lebanon, PA 17042

Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center

1111 East End Boulevard

Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711

Pennsylvania VA Regional Offices

Pittsburgh Regional Office

1000 Liberty Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Philadelphia VA Regional Benefit Office

5000 Wissahickon Ave.

Philadelphia, PA 19144