Summary
After their service, many military veterans choose to settle down in Florida. To those veterans, the benefits administered through the Department of Veterans Affairs, better known as the VA, are an essential line of support as they reenter civilian life.
Florida is considered a veteran-friendly state, and veterans in Florida are granted special considerations when it comes to taxes, hunting and fishing licenses, and more. This system can be complicated to navigate, however, and understanding your benefits is key to making the most of your rewards for service.
Whether you are a Pensacola, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, or Miami veteran seeking benefits, WHG has your back.
Medical care through VA hospitals is probably the most well-known benefit granted to veterans, but the VA benefits cover many aspects of life.
Most of these benefits are available to any veterans who have served a certain length in active duty – usually 90 days, although it varies depending on the years in which the service took place. For medical or disability coverage, eligibility is based on whether or not the condition is a result of military service.
Florida also offers many specific benefits to veterans outside of the nationwide VA benefits, such as tax breaks, reduced cost of hunting licenses, or even priority registration for college classes.
Working with a qualified attorney, like the team at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, is essential for veterans in Florida to understand common VA benefits terminology and claim everything they’ve earned.
When preparing to file a VA benefits claim, documentation is key. The VA office will seek out any evidence they can find in your case, but the more you can provide them with, the faster and easier the claims process will be. You should gather documentation like:
Separate these documents out into different categories and place them in chronological order. Everything you can do to make it easier to process your claims will help you receive your benefits as quickly as possible, and more thorough documentation improves your chances of successfully claiming all the benefits you’ve earned.
The claims process is relatively straightforward. First, confirm your eligibility for any benefits you’d like to claim. Then gather evidence like the medical records or military service records discussed above.
Once you’ve got the documentation together, it’s time to file the claim. You can do this either online, through the mail, or in person at a regional VA office. Online claims are usually faster and more reliable.
After you’ve filed, it’s time for the waiting game. The complete process takes an average of over 100 days after your initial filing, but they may request additional information or documentation from you, so stay tuned.
Veterans in Florida are valuable members of the community, and the VA office generally wants to help. That being said, you still want to make sure to make a solid case. The most common challenges when filing a VA benefits claim usually come down to incomplete information or delayed actions.
Working with an experienced Florida veteran disability claims lawyer who knows how to handle VA benefits appeals can be a big help. They know how to gather and present the evidence in the best light, and how to keep a claim moving forward if it encounters an obstacle. Keep fighting for the benefits you’ve earned–it’s your right as a veteran.
If your claim is denied, don’t panic. There are several ways to file an appeal.
Working with a VA claims lawyer can help veterans in Florida with the next steps if a claim is denied.
Working with a VA benefits lawyer, like the team at Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, can help you make a successful claim. We understand how to gather and present evidence for the best results and how to overcome the most common challenges faced during the process.
Navigating a legal process like the VA benefits claims can be complicated for anyone who’s not a trained expert, even if you’re filing for one of the easiest disabilities to get approved. We’re ready to be that expert for you and have your back every step of the way.
You can contact Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia by calling us at 1-800-320-HELP or by contacting us online.
There are two criteria that most often determine eligibility requirements for veterans in Florida. First, you must have served a certain amount of time in active duty, usually 90 days. Second, any injury or other medical issue related to your claim must be connected to your military service.
Your military service record and any relevant medical records will be essential. One frequently neglected piece of documentation is sworn statements from family, friends, or fellow service members.
Each step of the process takes about two weeks, with the entire claim taking 103 days on average from start to finish.
We have designed a calculator for vets to easily determine the amount of benefits they are possibly owed. Click here to visit our VA Disability Calculator.
...in just a few clicks.
Adam Werner is a partner and practicing attorney at WHG. He specializes in personal injury cases, workers’ compensation claims, and veteran disability benefits. He routinely writes about personal injury and workers comp topics for the Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia blog
