A Veterans Disability Lawyer Can Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve A reputable attorney can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve. They may also speak out against VA officials who treat veterans unfairly. If you are denied benefits, your lawyer could appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Ask potential veterans disability attorneys whether they've ever presented cases to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Experience The VA's bureaucracy can be overwhelming for a veteran suffering from an injury or illness. It can be stressful for family members who help the spouse or the veteran make claims and submit documentation for processing. A lawyer who is a veteran's disability lawyer can assist in navigating the process. A experienced veteran disability lawyer will help with everything, beginning with the initial application for benefits to filing an appealing claim if it has been denied. The lawyer can assist in gathering all the necessary documents, such as an independent medical opinion and military service records. An accredited veterans disability attorney is well-versed in the requirements for submitting an effective claim and will ensure that the VA receives all the necessary evidence. A veterans disability attorney can assist in appealing a denied claim or a rating decision that is inadequate. The lawyer can provide guidance regarding what to appeal, and also any requests for hearings before the Board of Veterans Appeals. They can also help you obtain an expert witness to back up your claim. For instance a doctor or psychologist who can testify about the extent of your injury or impairment. A veteran disability lawyer must be transparent about fees and costs. They should be transparent about what they charge and what the case will cost, particularly in the case of claims to gain an improved disability rating. Michael Eisenberg, at Eisenberg Law, offers a free consultation for appeals to veterans' benefits. He is also happy to discuss costs and fees with you. Expert Witnesses Veterans who are unable to work because of a medical condition can be eligible for VA disability benefits. This includes physical disabilities caused by injuries, and mental disorders like PTSD and TBI. To qualify for these benefits the veteran must prove that the condition is directly linked to their military service. This can be a difficult task, and requires a substantial amount of evidence to prove that the injury is a result of the stresses of military life and also that it limits the activities of the individual. Certain injuries, like a visible scar, are easier to prove than others, such a pain that causes function loss. A lawyer for veterans' disability will be aware of the guidelines and requirements that must be followed, and also knows what types of documentation the VA is looking for. A lawyer for veterans with disabilities must not only be aware of what medical information is required, but also have relationships with experts who can testify for the veteran. This could make a difference in winning or losing an appeal. Engaging a veteran disability attorney to help with the filing of a VA claim could be affordable. Most attorneys work on a contingency-based basis, which means that the client will only pay for the services offered once the VA determines that disability compensation is due. Appeal A veteran disability lawyer will take care of all aspects of the claim including appeals. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the VA appeals process, which is a bit complicated and time consuming. They can also engage medical experts and vocational experts should they be required to prove a case. Veterans can file a Notification of Disagreement if they do not agree with any part of a VA decision. The VA will review the case, and then issue a statement. The veteran can ask for an upper-level review or direct appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. A veteran disability lawyer will be able advise the veteran on the best course of action for their case. A New York veteran lawyer with experience in disability law can help you throughout the entire appeals process, which can take many years. This could include having an official hearing before a judge. Having a veteran disability attorney manage this complicated process can allow a veteran to focus on their health and other responsibilities. This will allow them to recover faster from injuries and improve their overall quality. In addition, it will save money because lawyers are allowed to charge an amount only when they win the case. This guarantees that veterans get the benefits they deserve. Fees Many veterans struggle to receive the benefits they deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The process for claiming benefits is often complex and denials occur frequently. A New York VA disability attorney can help veterans navigate the different options for appealing the decision. This includes making a supplement to the application, seeking higher level review, or making an appeal with a Board. An attorney can assist with the preparation of medical evidence to back a disability claim. A lawyer with experience will be competent to provide the most current guidelines on how to prepare this evidence. This could include a doctor's examination report, psychological assessment and other pertinent medical evidence. Depending on the nature of the case, it could be necessary to hire experts to testify in support of a claim made by a veteran. A New York VA disability attorney can procure an expert witness to testify. The attorney will explain to the veteran the significance of this expert testimony. A New York VA lawyer may charge the veteran a consultation fee in exchange for discussing the case. These fees can be different. It is important to keep in mind that the government pays expenses and attorneys' fees in veterans' cases under a federal law called the Equal Access to Justice Act. The money paid to an attorney will not affect the amount of backpay paid to a veteran.