Veterans Disability Attorney Houston TX
Marine Benefits
The U.S. Marines are comprised of some of the bravest men and women in America, and for their sacrifices and service, they are lawfully entitled to a range of benefits. However, when a Marine is injured or disabled during service, dealing with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be quite complicated. Furthermore, the VA is known for being notoriously slow. For these reasons, the Marine benefits attorneys at Houston’s Herren Law are completely devoted to helping veterans receive their rightfully deserved VA disability benefits in a timely manner.
How to Know If Your Injury is Covered
Before applying for disability benefits at your local VA office, it is important to know as much as possible about the VA disability claims process in order to avoid (or minimize) the possibility of delays, denials, and more. One of the first factors to understand is the VA disability compensation and the types of injuries it covers. In general, the disability compensation is available for veterans who are at least 10 percent disabled because of injuries or diseases during active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training. Moreover, the list of eligible injuries includes physical injuries and mental health conditions. Some common injuries include:
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Loss of limbs
- Traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injuries
- Exposures to toxins or hazardous materials
- Hypertension
- Exposure to radiation
- Eye injuries
Even if you don’t see the injury listed here, you may still be eligible for benefits. In general, if your injury was incurred or aggravated during active service with the Marine Corps, you should contact a VA disability lawyer in Texas. The amount of compensation you may receive depends on the severity of the injury as well as other factors, such as the number of dependents and where/when you served.
Veterans Disability Process
The VA disability process has always been known as complicated; however, there are several ways that disabled veterans can start applying for benefits. Three easy options include:
- File a claim online
- Print out Form 21-256 and mail it to the VA Regional Office in Houston
- Call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 and ask to have the form mailed to you
Upon receiving your claim, the VA will contact you (usually via letter) and tell you the medical evidence it needs. In general, it’s best to include as much documentation regarding the injury as possible.
The Service Medical Record is an especially important piece of evidence in your claim (known as the C-file). After mailing evidence of your disability, a Rating Veterans Service Representative will go through your materials and, if benefits are granted, the VA will determine the monthly payment amount and effective date.
Improving Your VA Disability Claim
Making sure to send a complete, comprehensive VA disability claim is essential to speeding up the process and receiving your benefits in a timely manner. Perhaps the most important aspect of the claim is your C-file. When you get your C-file, diligently comb through it to see if the VA made any mistakes. Moreover, always include evidence in your claim that is material, probative, relevant, competent, and credible. Lastly, find an experienced VA attorney for your claim or an appeal.
For a Free Consultation, Call Herren Law Today
From the moment you’ve been injured while in service, you may need to start considering the benefits of a VA disability attorney. Not only do we at Herren Law have extensive experience helping local Marines in Houston, but we also uphold great passion and respect for our country’s service men and women. As such, long delays and VA mistakes are quite disheartening, and we’ll devote substantial resources to helping you create, file, and, if necessary, appeal your claim. For a free consultation with a VA disability lawyer at Herren Law, contact our Houston law firm today at (713) 682-8194.
