Veteran's Benefits & Claims Lawyer in Jackson, MS

There are a variety of benefits that you might be able to qualify for through the VA and other providers. For most programs, you must have been on active service, and you must not have been dishonorably discharged. There are other programs available with more stringent eligibility guidelines as well.

Here is a list of just a few of these benefits programs:

Service-Connected Disability Compensation – This program offers veterans a monthly cash benefit. You must meet the basic eligibility requirements and have suffered an illness or injury during your service that resulted in a disability or made an existing disability worse.

Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payment (CRDP) – This program allows certain retired military members to collect both retirement and disability payments at the same time.

Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSP) – This provides compensation to military retirees if they suffered combat-related injuries or illnesses.

VA Pension – This program offers a monthly cash benefit to help disabled veterans. It’s a program needs-based program with income and asset eligibility requirements.

There are other benefits that veterans may be entitled to from the Veterans Benefits Administration, such as education benefits, home loan guarantees, career counseling, discounts, VA burial allowance, and others.

Additionally, disabled veterans might also qualify for two types of Social Security benefits:

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – This benefit is funded through payroll taxes from employment. Most VA disability benefits are not income-based, so if you are currently receiving VA benefits, you might also be able to claim SSDI at the same time.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – This is a needs-based government program. If you are a disabled veteran and are getting benefits from the needs-based VA pension program, you might be able to claim SSI benefits at the same time.

It seems like a mountain of information to go through. How do you know which programs are right for you and if you meet the eligibility requirements? A seasoned military benefits attorney with Derek L. Hall, PC can help you sort through the confusion and put you on the right path.

You’ve served your country, and now your life has changed because of it. You deserve the benefits that the federal government is supposed to provide for you, so why has your claim been denied?

It is a hard pill to swallow, but a number of claims are rejected. Bureaucratic red tape is complicated. Not only is there a large volume of information that needs to be submitted, but even small mistakes or discrepancies could be grounds for rejection.

First, don’t give up. You have options for appealing a denied claim. To begin the process, you will need to submit a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) with the regional VA office that denied your benefits claim. A NOD is simply a letter that explains that you disagree with the decision and that you are going to appeal. This notice must include the date of the denial letter, and you must use the exact phrase “Notice of Disagreement.”

Next, choose the type of appeal. You can request a decision review officer appeal either with or without a hearing. You also have the ability to appeal directly to the Board of Veterans Appeals. If you opt for a decision review officer appeal and do not agree with the outcome, you may still take your case to the Board of Veterans Appeals later.

Remember, the clock is ticking. You have only one year from the date of denial to file an appeal. It may feel like there are a lot of hoops to jump through just to get an appeal heard if you try to handle it on your own. However, an experienced VA disability attorney can help you prepare your NOD and strengthen your appeal case. We have a track record of handling veterans’ cases and will aggressively work to help you secure the benefits you need.

Military members have a wide range of duties that could lead to an injury or illness. According to statistics from the VA’s Annual Benefits Report, here are some of the most common disabilities that impact veterans:

• Tinnitus
• Hearing loss
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Scars
• Back problems
• Migraines
• Degenerative arthritis
• Limited motion of joints such as the knee and ankle

While these may be the most common problems, there are other illnesses and injuries that might qualify you to receive VA benefits. If you are curious about whether your injury or illness makes you eligible for benefits, discuss your case with an experienced VA claims lawyer right away.