Panama City Veterans Disability Lawyers
Approximately 31% of veteran’s disability claims are denied. It is estimated that 60% of those denials are in error. On average, almost 90% of veteran’s disability claims with attorney representation on appeal are successful! Having an attorney on your side during this process significantly increases your chance of success. Contact The Disability Group today for a consultation!
Pursuing Benefits for Service-Related Conditions
Veterans’ disability benefits refer to tax-free, monthly monetary compensation provided to veterans who have incurred disabilities due to diseases or injuries during their military service. For veterans, seeking disability benefits is of paramount importance. These benefits compensate for the damages and hardships suffered due to disabilities arising from military service. Such compensation can help veterans manage medical bills, therapy costs, and other financial burdens from injuries or illnesses. Moreover, disability benefits can alleviate the economic strain experienced by veterans and their families, ensuring that they can focus on recovery and rebuilding their lives.
Eligibility Criteria for VA Benefits
To be eligible for veterans disability benefits, individuals must currently have a service-connected disability. This refers to an injury or illness that occurred during the individual's time in the Armed Forces or was aggravated during their military service. It may also be a condition that developed during active duty but did not become apparent until after their service ended.
Veterans disability benefits cover a range of service-connected disabilities. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Chronic back pain
- Severe hearing loss
- Loss of range of motion
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
These disabilities can significantly impact a veteran's quality of life, and the benefits aim to provide essential support to help them cope with these challenges.
It's important to note that the discharge status of a service member can impact their eligibility for veterans disability benefits. If a service member received a discharge other than honorable, they may not qualify.
Challenges in Applying for VA Benefits
Delays and denials can be frustrating hurdles in the veterans disability benefits application process.
These outcomes may occur due to various reasons, such as:
- Insufficient proof of the claimed disability
- The use of incorrect forms
- Inadequate explanation of the condition's impact
- The absence of a clear demonstration of causation between the current disability and the in-service injury
When a claim is denied or a less favorable decision is reached, veterans have recourse by way of a supplemental claim, Higher Level Review, or appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. A Supplemental Claim involves presenting new and relevant evidence that wasn't previously provided during the VA's initial review. Alternatively, a Higher Level Review (HLR) requests a higher-level reviewer to assess the case anew.
Veterans can escalate the matter to the Board of Veterans' Appeals if other options don't yield satisfactory results. At this stage, a Veterans Law Judge reviews the case independently. Navigating these processes can be complex, emphasizing the importance of understanding the options available and making informed decisions.
Professional legal guidance can mitigate the challenges associated with delays, denials, and appeals. Attorneys possess the knowledge and experience to compile compelling evidence, craft persuasive narratives, and navigate intricate procedures.
Hear From Our Clients
Discover experiences from those we've helped secure their benefits.
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"Excellent Firm To Work With"
They hung in there with me all the way through a long and tiresome process to the very end. I am so grateful for attorney Gunter's expertise and experience in navigating this 3+ year benefits journey.
Paula E. -
"Fast And Very Responsive To My Questions"hey are professional, fast and very responsive to my questions. I was able to have my SSDI approved. I highly recommend the Disability Group.Angel S.
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"Very Communicative and Always Available"Very communicative and always available and they follow up! Highly recommend!Jason
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"Went Above Her Duties to Make Sure Any Questions or Concerns Were Taken Care Of"She has went above her duties to make sure any questions or concerns were taken care of I would highly recommend herCrystal N.
Working with The Disability Group
Our team brings a wealth of experience, and we are equipped to assist in various aspects of the journey. We prepare the correct forms to ensure the application is accurate and comprehensive. Crafting claims to establish the connection between the in-service injury and current condition is a cornerstone of our approach. Our Panama City veterans disability lawyers understand the nuances required to present a compelling case that resonates with the VA.
Unlike most veteran representatives, we handle initial applications for benefits. This is beneficial in several ways. First, we will submit the most comprehensive claim from the very beginning, to avoid having multiple claims at different levels of appeal. Second, this ensures a better outcome earlier in the process.
We also appeal denials of disability benefits at all levels and file claims or appeal denials to increase your disability ratings.
VA disability appeals can take several years to resolve. It takes a substantial amount of perseverance and knowledge to successfully navigate the appeals process. That's why we are here. We are dedicated to working on your case as long as it takes to get the results you deserve from your claim.
We do not charge fees for consultations or applications. We only get paid if we win. The VA allows us to collect 25% of your back pay when we win your case. We can review your current claims for any possible rating increases, discuss and apply for claims under the PACT Act, appeal your current denial, or start the application process for you. Call or email us today to set up a consultation.
We are prepared to be your advocates throughout the process. Schedule a consultation by calling us at (850) 296-0491 or contacting us online.
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How long does it take to receive a hearing?
In our area, it currently takes anywhere from 18 to 24 months from the time a hearing is requested until the date it is scheduled. The team at The Disability Group does everything in their power to cut down on this delay, so that you can begin receiving benefits as early as possible. In some cases, this includes getting a client approved "on the record," which is to say getting your disability claim approved before a hearing.
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What can I do if my claim is denied?
The Social Security Administration provides four levels of appeal for those who believe that their claims have been wrongfully denied. Reconsideration, the first step, involves having a different staff member at Disability Determination Services review your application. Only 15% of applications are approved at this stage, so it will likely be necessary to request a hearing.
At a hearing, an Administrative Law Judge reviews all the evidence in the case, and you or your attorney have the opportunity to make an appeal and argue based on the medical records and testimony presented why your disability claim should be approved. In the event that your claim is still denied, you can request to have your case reviewed by the Social Security Appeals Council, and can even take the claim before a federal judge.
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Is it true that all claims are denied the first time?
No! This popular misconception does, however, have a basis of truth. In the Panama City area 76% of all initial claims are denied, whether due to mistakes on the application, insufficient information provided by the claimant, or errors on the part of Disability Determination Services staff. Nationally, approximately 2.5 million people apply for SSD every year which means that only 600,000 people receive their benefits without any further trouble. Those who are denied have a right to hire an attorney and appeal the decision.
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How much can I receive in benefits?
The Social Security Administration uses a complex formula to determine the amount of financial benefits to be paid. However, the amount of financial benefits you receive is calculated on your lifetime earnings and the amount of taxes you have paid into the Social Security system. SSDI benefits will not typically fully replace your lost wages, but are calculated so that high-income earners will receive more than those who have not historically had as high of an income.
