If you serve your country in the armed forces, you are entitled to veterans’ benefits after your discharge. Unfortunately, you might not be aware of all your entitlements or how to access them.
Our team of attorneys and other legal professionals at Colling Gilbert Wright is devoted to ensuring veterans like you receive the benefits they have earned. A DeLand veterans’ benefits lawyer could help you with every aspect of the process, from determining your eligibility to appealing unfavorable decisions.
Free Medical Treatment
One of the most valuable benefits you receive as a veteran is the right to use Veterans’ Administration (VA) medical centers. You can obtain treatment for service-related conditions at no cost. You may also be eligible to receive other healthcare services.
It is important to know that when you apply for healthcare benefits, there are minimum service requirements you must meet to qualify. You may be ineligible if you received a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge.
You must apply for healthcare benefits within five years of discharge. If you need help with your application or feel you were wrongly denied healthcare through the VA, contact a DeLand veterans’ benefits attorney at The Florida Firm.
Disability Benefits
If you have a service-related injury or health condition, you may qualify for veterans’ disability benefits. You must have been on duty when you suffered an injury or exposure that caused your illness. You may also qualify for benefits if you had a pre-existing medical condition that worsened due to your service.
The application process is onerous. You must provide medical and service records as well as statements from people who served with you and others with direct knowledge of the impact your service had on your health. Even when your application is accurate and complete, the VA may deny it.
Working with our veterans’ benefits attorneys in DeLand increases the likelihood that your initial application will be approved. If you have already been rejected for veterans’ disability benefits, we could manage the appeals process and fight for the benefits you have earned.
Three Types of Appeal
The best method for appealing a denied veteran’s disability claim depends on the reason for the denial. When you believe additional information may lead to a different result, you can file a supplemental claim.
When you have provided all the necessary information and believe that the reviewing officer erred in denying your claim, you can request a higher-level review. A higher-ranking officer will review your application and may make a different decision.
If the higher-level review is unfavorable or your case is especially complex, you can request a board appeal. There will be a hearing before a specially trained judge, and you can present evidence and witnesses to support your claim.
Changing Discharge Status
If you received a discharge other than honorable, you may be ineligible for veterans’ benefits even if you meet other service requirements. When you apply for benefits, the VA will conduct a Character of Discharge Review to determine whether you may be eligible for some benefits, despite not having an honorable discharge.
A veterans’ benefits lawyer in DeLand could help you compile documentation to influence the VA in your favor. When you can demonstrate that the circumstances of your discharge involved service-related mental or physical health problems, you may qualify for benefits despite your discharge status. In other cases, the review officer may consider the length and overall quality of your service and decide that you have earned VA benefits.
You could also apply for a discharge upgrade. If the circumstances that led to your discharge were related to post-traumatic stress disorder, a traumatic brain injury, homosexual activity, or sexual abuse or harassment, you are eligible for a discharge upgrade. You may be eligible for a discharge upgrade in other circumstances as well, depending on the specifics of your case.
Contact a DeLand Veterans’ Benefits Attorney for Help
When you devote years of your life to serving your country, accessing the benefits you earned should not be difficult. Unfortunately, navigating this process is quite complicated, and many veterans are ultimately denied the benefits they earned.
A DeLand veterans’ benefits lawyer at The Florida Firm could help you overcome the obstacles preventing you from claiming your benefits. Most of our clients come as referrals from other lawyers, who recommend our firm due to our reputation for ethical, effective, and compassionate advocacy.
Reach out to us today to pursue the benefits you earned through your military service.