Understanding BVA and CAVC Claims
Pursuing your veteran benefits claim can often feel overwhelming due to the paperwork and lengthy processes. It is even more frustrating when your initial claim is unsuccessful and you have to appeal at the BVA (Board of Veterans' Appeals) or further at the CAVC (Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims). Appealing to these two bodies requires a deep understanding of VA regulations and procedures, making the help of a skilled VA attorney indispensable. If your VA benefits claim has been denied, having an experienced VA benefits lawyer to help you navigate appeal processes is prudent. At Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, we understand the ins and outs of the VA process and are ready to help you with your claim. Contact us at (800) 320-HELP or by submitting this online contact form to get started. Options Before Appealing to the BVA Appealing at the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) is often the next step after a denied claim or if inaccuracies in the decision warrant further review. However, before deciing to file a BVA claim, there are crucial actions you can take to address errors or strengthen your case. These are: Respond to Requests from the VA The VA may...
Should a Veteran Request a Board Hearing After a Denial?
You have just received notification that your VA disability claim has been denied. This initial denial, while unfortunate, is not the end of the road for your claim. You do have options to have your denial reviewed, including requesting a veterans law judge with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals review your claim. When you choose to appeal your claim denial to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, you have a choice whether to request a hearing on your claim. The other option is to allow the judge to make their ruling based on the evidence submitted to them for review. Is there an advantage to requesting a hearing? Like most legal questions, the answer is, “It depends on your situation.” If your initial VA claim has been denied, you can increase your chances of a successful appeal by hiring experienced veteran disability appeals lawyers at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia. Call us at (800) 320-HELP or submit our online contact form to schedule your free case evaluation today. The Different Levels of VA Appeals That You Can Pursue Navigating the VA appeals process can be a crucial step for veterans seeking to secure the benefits they deserve after an initial claim...
The Truth about Tinnitus Claims
That ringing sound in your ear is a familiar sound to many veterans who spent years on the battlefield, working with heavy machinery, or on the flight line. The condition that causes that ringing sound is tinnitus, and VA disability claims based on tinnitus are some of the most common VA claims submitted. Before the ringing turns to music in your ears, you should understand that a claim for benefits based on tinnitus is not likely to get you the full amount of compensation you might otherwise deserve. Knowing the challenges and limitations of a tinnitus disability claim ahead of time can help you remain realistic about the potential outcomes of filing a VA disability claim. At Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, our VA-accredited veteran disability claims lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve for service-connected disabilities. Call (800) 320-HELP or submit a contact form to schedule a free consultation today. Understanding Tinnitus Among Veterans Tinnitus is not typically a lifelong condition, but it can be highly disruptive and bothersome. Beyond exposure to loud sounds, this condition can also arise from ear infections, blockages, Meniere’s disease, or injuries to the head and neck. Veterans experiencing tinnitus might notice:...
How to Get a 100 Percent VA Disability Rating
Dealing with the Department of Veterans Affairs or VA disability rating system can be tough. Getting a 100 percent rating is even tougher, but it’s important because it gives you the most benefits. A VA disability rating is a percentage set by the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs that shows the extent to which a service-connected disability affects a veteran. If you get a 100 percent rating, it can change your life by providing full benefits for medical care, housing, and monthly income. To secure a 100 percent VA disability rating, it is essential to have accurate documentation and a clear understanding of the application process. At Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, we are committed to supporting you every step of the way. Our dedicated team of veteran benefits lawyers can help you secure your deserved VA disability rating and benefits. Call us at (800) 320-HELP or submit a contact form. Understanding VA Disability Ratings VA disability ratings are a mechanism for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to evaluate the extent of a veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on daily life. The ratings are expressed as a percentage, ranging from 0 to 100 percent, in increments of ten....
How To Beat A Rating Reduction
Let’s talk for a moment about the letter no veteran wants to receive: A letter from the VA advising that it will reduce the veteran’s rating. The VA is authorized to conduct periodic reevaluations of a veteran’s disability. If the condition is improved, VA may propose a reduction in the rating. However, the VA must provide notice to the veteran prior to reducing a rating. If the VA reduced your rating without telling you in advance, that is probably a basis on which to reverse the reduction, and you should seek the legal counsel of a VA-accredited lawyer. At Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, our veteran disability benefits lawyers are ready to help you appeal. Call us at (800) 320-HELP or submit this online contact form to schedule a free case evaluation. Learn How To Beat A VA Rating Reduction In most cases, the Department of Veteran Affairs will reverse or reduce your disability rating based on the following grounds: 1. Reexamination of an Existing Service-Connected Disability The VA may order a reexamination of a veteran already receiving benefits. Do not ignore the letter scheduling the examination. If the veteran doesn’t attend the scheduled exam, then the VA can reduce the...
Learn About the Easiest VA Disability Claims to Get Approved
Easiest VA Disability Claims to Get Approved: A Simple Guide for Veterans For disabled veterans, the VA’s approval rate is not stellar. Estimates are that the VA initially denies between six and seven out of every ten VA disability claims. This number means that a typical, unassuming disability claim submitted by a veteran has a better than even chance of receiving a denial, making an appeal necessary. However, not all disabling conditions are the same. As a result, some veterans with similar conditions may find that, as a group, their claims are routinely approved while veterans with other conditions face a more difficult time. This post will identify five of the most commonly approved conditions for VA disability claims. For quality legal representation, reach out to the VA-accredited team at WHG to schedule a free consultation. You can call us at (800) 320-HELP or reach out to us online to request a free case evaluation. Our team can help you access the VA disability benefits you deserve. Why Knowing Which Conditions Get Approved Matters Knowing the conditions for which the VA will likely approve claims has more value than simple trivia. If you submit a claim based on one of...
VA Disability Benefits Claim: Understanding the Timeline
SummaryThe VA benefits claim process takes an average of 103 days.Gathering evidence like medical records can speed up the process and improve chances of success.Certain conditions like PTSD may change the timeline.Decisions can be appealed if necessary.Veterans across the country rely on Veterans Affairs or VA benefits for healthcare, education assistance, home loans, and compensation for disabilities incurred during military service. The support of the VA is essential for veterans reentering civilian life, particularly when a disabled veteran needs access to crucial medical care.To access these benefits, veterans must file a claim and follow it along a series of steps. Let’s go over the typical timeline and the key stages of a VA benefits claim for disability compensation.Preparing to File Your VA Benefits ClaimWhen preparing to file your VA benefits claim, you should check your eligibility for various benefits. There is often a 90-day active duty service requirement, but the specifics vary between different types of benefits.Generally, you are eligible for disability benefits if you served in active duty, you have a current illness or injury, and that condition is related to your military service.For education benefits like the GI Bill, you’re required to have served 90 days in active...
What Do These Common Mental Disorder Symptoms Mean?
Many veterans suffer from mental health issues related to their in-service experiences. Knowing the signs and symptoms of common mental disorders can be helpful in identifying conditions and seeking treatment. If the VA has denied your veterans disability benefits claim for a mental disorder, WHG can help. Get in touch with us by calling (800) 320-HELP or filling out a contact form. Explaining What Veterans' Mental Disorder Symptoms Mean The VA mental disorder rates are primarily based on a list of symptoms found in 38 CFR 4.130. Most of them are self-explanatory (e.g. "chronic sleep impairment"), but some of them are terms used by mental health professionals (e.g. "flat affect"). Their meaning is not evident to a layperson, but understanding them can be helpful when sitting for a C&P exam. Here is a list of some of the mental disorder symptoms you should be on the lookout for: Depressed Mood One of the most common mental disorder symptoms in veterans is depressed mood. This can manifest in different ways. For example, the individual may have little to no expression. Their body language looks slouched, they have poor posture, and perhaps a low-hanging head. They express a lack of motivation to...
What is the Future of Blast Injury Prevention Looks Like for Troops
Blast injuries in military personnel are a significant concern due to the increasing frequency of explosive devices in combat situations. These injuries can be complex and multifaceted, affecting various parts of the body and leading to both immediate and long-term health issues. With all of this in account, the Defense Department has revealed new parameters to protect and prevent troops from blast injuries. For some troops, these improvements have come along too late. At WHG, our team is available to veterans coping with service-connected blast injuries to pursue VA disability claim appeals to secure benefits. You can reach us by calling 1-800-320-HELP or submitting a contact form to schedule a free consultation. What are Blast Injuries? There are several types of blast injuries: Primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary, and quinary-based blast injuries. Military personnel may be vulnerable to long-term health complications from any of these types. Primary blast injuries are caused by the shock wave from the explosion. These injuries primarily affect air-filled organs like the lungs, ears, and gastrointestinal tract. Secondary blast injuries result from shrapnel or debris propelled by the explosion. These can cause lacerations, fractures, and other trauma. Tertiary blast injuries are caused by being thrown or propelled...
How Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Benefit From New Amendments to the NDAA
Many veterans suffer traumatic brain injuries while engaged in active duty service, which can leave them with permanent cognitive deficits. Unfortunately, their struggles rarely end there. Veterans with service-related traumatic brain injuries often encounter obstacles in securing treatment and VA disability benefits. With new amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act, legislators in the House of Representatives hope to alleviate these issues. Additionally, these amendments address underlying factors that cause TBIs and lead to poor health outcomes among veterans with brain injuries. At Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, we are focused on helping veterans with service-connected traumatic brain injuries obtain the VA disability benefits they deserve following a denial. Our VA disability appeals attorneys will leverage our experience and resources to help you navigate your appeal. Filing an appeal for a traumatic brain injury veterans disability claim can be tricky, but not impossible. Schedule a free consultation with us by calling (800) 320-HELP or submitting a contact form online. Amendments Aim to Reduce Risk of Traumatic Brain Injuries and Improve Treatment for Veterans The House of Representatives recently passed new amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, with full support. Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr., the co-founder of the...
