Disability compensation for injured veterans is a fundamental benefit for the men and women who’ve served in the U.S. Navy. Ideally, a disabled vet should easily and, in a timely manner, receive benefits for the sacrifices he or she made. Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) can be slow and it sometimes makes mistakes when evaluating a disability claim.
For legal guidance and representation, whether completing the claim or appeal a denial, the Navy benefits attorneys at Herren Law are prepared to work with you and build the strongest case possible.
One of the most common questions we receive at Herren Law is, “Am I eligible for disability?” In some cases, the answer can be complicated, but there are some basic definitions of a veteran and who’s eligible for disability benefits. For example, U.S. Code § 2108 defines a disabled veteran as someone who was injured while on active duty in the armed forces. There needs to be a service-injury connection for a veteran to receive VA disability benefits. Secondly, the veteran needs to have been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
In practice, filing for a VA disability claim is known for being slow and frustrating. You should be well organized and prepared to fill out a lot of paperwork. Here is a short overview of the steps involved:
You can complete and file your claim online, print out your claim and mail it to the VA Regional Office in Houston, or all the VA at 1-800-827-1000 and ask to have the form mailed to you.
Some important documents include discharge or separation papers, Service Treatment Records, and any medical evidence, including doctors and hospital records.
In many cases, you may be required to meet with a VA contracted physician and take a medical exam.
If the VA denies your claim, you may want to submit a Notice of Disagreement (VA appeal) and file a court appeal.
Depending on the severity of the injury and other factors, the VA will determine the tax-free, monthly benefits that U.S. Navy veterans are eligible to receive. However, the process can be long, and small mistakes in the claim or unsubstantial evidence may be enough to get your application denied.
To ensure timely benefits, we at Herren Law fully understand the VA benefits process. Also, since 1992, we have helped more than 4,000 individuals with their disability claims. For a free consultation with your Navy benefits attorney, call Herren Law in Houston at (713) 682-8194.
Need more help with your disability claim? There are several Texas agencies that can help:
Herren Law does not charge a fee for a consultation and we work on a contingency basis. You do not owe us anything unless you receive benefits.
We are here to help you in your time of need.
Complete the online form, call us at 1-800-LAW (529)-7707, (713) 682 8194 or send us an email for a free case evaluation. You will get a response within 24 hours.
© Herren Law. All Rights Reserved.