Deciding to serve their country is one of the most honorable choices made by veterans. However, that decision often comes with a great sacrifice. In 2018, 25 percent of veterans reported having a service disability. If you suffered an injury while serving your country, this guide should help you find the right VA disability attorney to help you get the disability benefits you deserve.
Look for VA accredited attorneys
When you are looking for an attorney to help you with your VA benefits, you should first look for a lawyer who has VA accreditation. This accreditation states that they have the authority to assist in preparing, presenting, and prosecuting benefit claims. This authority is granted by the VA.
All attorneys who work independently with you on your case should have VA accreditation. This does not apply to students, paralegals, or other assistants working on your case.
Understand benefits typically handled by a VA disability lawyer
Getting assistance from a VA disability lawyer can make your struggle to obtain VA benefits proceed much more smoothly. An accredited VA disability lawyer may be able to provide help in obtaining the following benefits
- Educational
- Health care
- Burial
- Monthly support payments
- Pension
- loans
Rarely hire the first lawyer you contact
You may be working on your disability benefits for several years, and you will need a lawyer that you are able to trust. Taking time to find the right one for your case is an essential step to reducing the amount of stress that you may feel as your case proceeds.
Hire a lawyer with VA disability experience
Your lawyer should be able to provide references from their past clients. These clients can verify how well they handled their previous cases. You also want to read up on the lawyer’s past work in order to judge their success rate. Additionally, you can also look for a veteran-owned law firm that will properly understand your needs and difficulties.
Hire a lawyer who understands your particular trauma
Not all veterans experience the same type of disabilities. Some disabilities may be physical, possibly resulting from a combat-related injury. Other disabilities may be mental, caused by service-related trauma.
An estimated 33.9 percent of veterans have been exposed to death, dying, or wounded people. These types of injuries result in different forms of mental trauma than peacetime service.
Additionally, Military.com states that service members who have faced sexual trauma should have attorneys who have had experience in this type of case. The VA benefits system does apply to these veterans, but navigating the system requires an attorney that understands the particular obstacles faced by sexual trauma survivors.
Be wary of lawyers who predict the future
While you want a lawyer who is optimistic about your chances, you do not want to hire an attorney who predicts the future. An attorney who wants to find a winning argument for your case is exactly what you want. However, you should be wary of any attorney who promises that they can win your benefits case. No lawyer can ever guarantee results. One who promises that they can is most likely a snake oil salesman.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Lawyers see clients every day, and those clients often have questions. The best way that you can guarantee that you have the best lawyer for your case is to ask questions. Ask about their experience, their VA disability training, and if the attorney will be able to get you through the entire appeals process. By asking questions, you and your potential attorney can both decide if you are a good match for one another.
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