A Veterans Disability Lawyer Can Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve A qualified attorney can assist you in getting the compensation you are entitled to. Attorneys can also stand up to VA officials who discriminate against veterans. If you've been denied for benefits, your lawyer may file an appeal before the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Ask your potential veterans disability lawyers for their experience in presenting cases before this federal court. Experience The VA's bureaucracy could be overwhelming for a veteran suffering from an injury or illness. It can be a stressful experience for the family members who help the spouse or the veteran to make submissions and file claims. An attorney for veterans' disability can help you navigate the process. A skilled veterans disability lawyer can assist with everything from the initial application for benefits to submitting an appeal if the claim is denied. The lawyer can help you gather all the necessary documentation, including an independent medical opinion and military service records. A veteran disability lawyer who is accredited can be familiar with all the requirements needed to file a successful claim, and ensure that the VA gets the proper evidence. A disability lawyer for veterans can assist in appeals against a denied claim or an insufficient rating decision. The lawyer can help you decide the appeals process and also any requests for a formal hearing before the Board of Veterans Appeals. They can also assist you to get an expert witness to back up your claim. For example, a psychologist or physician who can testify about the extent of your injury or impairment. A veteran's disability lawyer should be transparent about fees and expenses. They should be upfront about their costs and fees, particularly if you are trying to achieve a higher disability rating. At Eisenberg Law, Michael Eisenberg offers a free initial consultation for appeals to veterans' benefits and will be happy to discuss fees and costs with you. Expert Witnesses The VA disability compensation program offers cash benefits to veterans who suffer from a medical condition that restricts their ability to perform work. This includes physical disabilities caused by injuries and mental disorders such as PTSD and TBI. To qualify for these benefits veterans must prove the condition is directly related to his or her military service. This can be difficult, and requires a substantial amount of documentation to prove that the injury is caused by the rigors of military life and that it restricts his or her ability to perform. Certain conditions, like a visible scar are easier to prove in comparison to others, like injury that results in loss of function. A veteran's disability lawyer is familiar with all the guidelines and requirements, and what documentation the VA requires. A veterans disability lawyer should not only know what medical information is needed and have connections with experts who can testify for the veteran. This can be the difference between winning and losing an appeal. It is good to know that hiring a veteran disability lawyer to help with the filing of a VA claim is a great deal. Most attorneys are on contingency, which means that clients pay for their services after the VA decides to award compensation. Appeal A veteran disability lawyer is able to manage all aspects of a claim including the appeals process. The VA appeals process is complicated and lengthy, but a skilled lawyer can manage it effectively. They can also engage medical experts and a vocational specialist, should they need to for their case. Veterans can file a Notice of Disagreement if they do not agree with any part of the VA decision. The VA will then review the case and issue an official statement of the case. The veteran can request an additional level of review or a direct appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. A veteran disability lawyer can advise the veteran on the best option for their case. A New York veteran lawyer with experience in disability law can assist you throughout the appeals process, which could take several years. This may include requesting an official hearing before the judge. A veteran disability lawyer can assist with this complex procedure so that the veteran can concentrate on his or her health and other obligations. This can allow them to recover from their injuries faster and improve their quality. In addition, it can help save money as lawyers can charge an amount only if they win the case. This ensures that veterans receive the benefits they are entitled to. Fees Veterans often struggle to obtain the benefits they deserve from Veterans Affairs. The process of claiming benefits can be complex and often denials are issued. A New York VA disability lawyer can assist veterans navigate the various options available for appealing a decision, such as submitting a supplemental claim, seeking higher-level review or filing a Board appeal. An attorney can assist with the preparation of medical evidence to support a disability claim. A lawyer who has experience is in a position to provide the most current guidelines on how to prepare this evidence. This can be a physician's report, a psychological examination, or other relevant medical evidence. Depending on how complex a case is and the complexity of the case, it is possible for veterans to engage an expert witness. A New York VA disability attorney can request an expert witness to give testimony. The attorney will explain to the veteran the significance of this expert testimony. A New York VA lawyer may charge the veteran a fee for consultation discussing the case. The fees may vary. It is important to remember that the government pays attorneys fees and expenses for veterans' cases, under a federal act called the Equal Access to Justice Act. The amount paid to an attorney will not change the amount of backpay given to a veteran.