As a Veteran with disabilities related to your service, you may be prepared to go it alone when it comes to your disability claim. You’ve met with doctors, filed the proper paperwork, and done your best at each step of the way. Yet as you’ve discovered, original claims for VA disability are often denied at first, the appeal process may be complicated, and there are many different forms needed at each level of review. In many ways, after a career of service to your country, you may now find yourself more alone than you need to be when it comes to filing and winning the disability assistance that you need.
Here are three reasons to seek the assistance of a Georgia VA Disability Lawyer.
#1: It’s All About Advocacy.
Advocacy is defined as both public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy, and as the profession or work of a legal advocate. What does this mean for you?
In short, it means that local disability attorneys who take on cases like yours advocate your cause on your behalf. They know the ins and outs of the system. They know the pitfalls and snags that might hold up your case. They know the forms, language, and conventions surrounding the VA disability process. And they know how to handle an appeal if your case is initially denied.
To advocate on your behalf also means that your VA disability attorney works for you. It’s in their best interest to win your case, just as it is in your best interest to receive financial compensation for your service-related injury or illness. By working together with your attorney, you can present the best possible case to help you win the benefits that you deserve.
An attorney is helpful to you not only regarding what’s already been filed, but what needs to be filed as well. They can drive your case forward to show not only your injury or illness, but specifically how it is connected to your military service. They know the language of the regulations that the VA is looking for in a successful claim. In short, it’s all about having a winning team to advocate on your behalf.
#2: Experienced VA Disability Lawyers Know the System.
Lawyers who specialize in VA disability know both sides of the process: both the business of law and how the system works, and the business of the Veterans’ Administration. As a government entity, the VA can appear to be full of hurdles and roadblocks to prevent you from receiving the benefits you need and deserve, and this may feel unfair at times. An experienced team of VA disability lawyers have the know-how when it comes to the VA, and can help you bridge the spaces between your life as an active duty servicemember and your life living with a disability caused by your service. In fact, even though the VA may feel like an adversary rather than an ally at times, the VA is there to help bring you benefits and assistance. A lawyer with VA experience is one who can help you successfully navigate the system.
At Affleck & Gordon, we understand that there can be a hesitancy for Veterans to work with VA disability attorneys. After all, you gave your career to your country, shouldn’t the VA give you disability benefits? A VA disability attorney, however, is here to assist you in navigating a complicated system. They work for you, and will use their experience and expertise to help you receive benefits. You won’t pay attorney fees unless we win your case.
#3: Georgia VA Disability Lawyers Know the Doctors and the System.
One might assume that local attorneys and judges know each other and can work together for the success of a client. In fact, when working on behalf of Veterans, the best attorneys also have the experience of working with local doctors who can approve your disability claim. The VA is looking for specific evidence that ties your illness or injury to your service. The right doctors who have experience with the VA understand how the process works.
The VA is looking for evidence in their investigation of your claim. The right VA disability lawyer knows the doctors with the most experience in the area who can file the proper paperwork needed to support your claim. You can view the official evidence requirements in VA Form 21-526EZ (PDF) here.
Whether you are filing an original claim, an increased claim for more compensation for your disability, a new claim for benefits related to a separate injury or illness than your original claim, a secondary service-connected claim, or a supplemental claim, the team at Affleck Gordon is here to help you get the benefits you deserve for you service-related illness or injury. If you’re not sure where to start, contact us today for a free case evaluation to help you determine where you stand with your potential VA disability claim. Again, there will be no attorney fees unless we win your case on appeal.
Fast Facts:
- You may file for disability at any time after your service.
- Of all original claims filed each year for VA disability, 31% are denied.
- You may have all, none, or some of your claims denied
- Of those initially denied, 60% are denied in error.
- If your original claim is denied, you typically have one year to file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD).
- The average decision time for an initial VA disability claim is 94.3 days. However this is only an average, and every case is different based on the complexity involved.
At Affleck & Gordon, helping Veterans receive their disability benefits is a primary area of expertise. Serving Metro Atlanta and the greater Columbus/Phenix City area, the attorneys with Affleck & Gordon care deeply for their clients and assist them with problems that may arise with their disability claim.
If your VA Disability claim has been denied, or you’re thinking about filing and don’t know where to start, Affleck & Gordon can help. We’ve been helping people in Georgia just like you for decades. Sign up for a free case evaluation here, or call us (404) 990-3945.