What is the best way to go about fighting for VA disability benefits without having to hire an expensive lawyer?

PO3 Nina Mims-Carter — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 23:57:27 -0400

Are there any other military personal on here that have issues with the VA medical centers and getting their Disability rating increased? What is the best way to go about fighting for the benefits that I deserve without having to hire a expensive lawyer?

Response by SPC James Neidig made Aug 8 at 2019 1:09 AM

SPC James Neidig — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 01:09:10 -0400

Go to your state department of veterans affairs they should have a office in your county they are free I live in Pennsylvania they helped me upgrade mine

Response by Capt Michael Wilford made Aug 8 at 2019 1:10 AM

Capt Michael Wilford — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 01:10:29 -0400

VA Medical Centers do not award disability ratings, that is the job of the Veterans Benefits Administration. VBA is also responsible for increasing and decreasing disability ratings. VA Medical Centers only provide health care services and the health exams that VBA used to determine a Veteran’s disability ratings. Should you have specific questions about your case, I would suggest contacting your local VBA representatives.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2019 7:32 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 07:32:40 -0400

Get a veterans service officer to help or the DAV or American legion and most importantly have a valid claim for what you are claiming. If you can get your service treatment records go through them and highlight and use sticky arrows for all evidence for conditions you are claiming and list these in a document for each claimed condition.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2019 7:38 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 07:38:57 -0400

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 8 at 2019 3:08 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 15:08:43 -0400

Find a good VSO (Vet Service Officer) so of the best are in the DAV and the American Legion. Give them all of your paper work- Copies, cause they know the ins and outs. Keep your hopes up but be prepared- VA works funny. 23 yrs in, 4 conflicts as 11B, 22 yrs on jump status= VA originally rated my 10% for eac knee, legs, shoulders for a total of 10%. After PTSD, Severe Depression I am now up to 60%.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2019 4:15 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 16:15:03 -0400

As already recommended many times, a VSO is your best bet. There are many VSO options to include those specific to your geographic area. A VSO will not charge you and should have the experience to assist you with your claim. As mentioned already the DAV and the American Legion are options but so is the Wounded Warrior Project, VFW, and AMVETS.

Below is a list of VSOs recognized by the VA.
https://www.va.gov/vso/

vso

Response by Sgt Andre Batson made Aug 8 at 2019 10:04 PM

Sgt Andre Batson — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 22:04:04 -0400

It's best to go to a VSO. They are usually free and know what they are doing. Attorneys fees are capped at 20% of your back pay. Attorneys cannot charge a fee until the Vet files a Notice of Disagreement with the VA.

Response by SFC Quinn Chastant made Aug 13 at 2019 3:30 PM

SFC Quinn Chastant — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 15:30:14 -0400

Start with Veterans Service Officers, in addition to the various veterans organizations a few acronyms will follow later, check you local phone directory Blue Pages. Those are the Governmental pages and you should find numbers and addresses for State Veterans Offices, as well as County Veterans Services Officers. The VFW, AL, DAV, CWV, JWV, and other Veterans Organizations either have some one in house who can assist you or point you in the right direction.