If you were disabled because of an injury or disease that you sustained or aggravated during your military service, you are entitled to veterans’ disability benefits. To secure your VA benefits, you should work with an experienced VA benefits claims attorney to help you obtain the benefits you are entitled to receive.

While a veteran should never be denied their VA benefits, the process of having a VA claim approved is often not as easy as it should be.

Based in Cocoa, Florida, The Simpson Legal Group, PLLC helps veterans obtain the service-connected disability benefits they are entitled to receive.

How to Open a VA Claim for Benefits

The objective of the VA disability process is to determine: (1) whether a veteran’s condition qualifies for VA disability benefits; and (2) the exact amount of VA disability benefits the veteran will receive. This is accomplished by submitting a VA claim. The claim must include every condition you want to have considered and all of the supporting evidence necessary to prove a service connection.

Once Your VA Claim for Benefits Has Been Submitted

Once you submit a claim for VA benefits, the VA will let you know they received your disability claim and begin their initial review.

Many times, the VA will request additional information to support your claim, and will require that you submit to a C&P (Compensation and Pension) exam. The C&P exam is performed by a VA doctor to document the current nature of your condition. In some cases, you will be required to undergo more than one C&P exam.

Once the VA has received all the information necessary, they will:

• Ask for evidence from you, your healthcare providers, governmental agencies, and others
• Review the evidence
• Move the claim to the Rating Veterans Service Representative (RVSR) for a decision

The RVSR will review your claim, including the application, medical records, supporting documents, letters, and other supporting information to make a decision about your claim for VA benefits. They will then recommend a decision and prepare the documents necessary to support the decision they made.

The decision recommendation is then reviewed and a final award decision is made. The VA Disability Claim decision will be mailed to you.

If your claim for VA disability benefits was approved, your disability rating will include an effective date. This is the date you can start receiving your disability benefits. Typically, the effective date of your claim will be the date the claim was received.

Once you receive a disability rating, you are eligible to begin receiving disability compensation or benefits.

If You Disagree with a VA Benefits Claim Decision

If you received a decision on your VA benefits claim but disagree with the decision, you have three options. You can request a:

• Supplemental Claim. By filing a supplemental claim, you are adding new evidence for the reviewer to consider.
• Higher Level Review. A higher level review is a request to have a senior reviewer take a new look at your case. You do not submit additional evidence, but your lawyer can speak to the decisionmaker to identify any errors and explain why the decision should be changed.
• Board Appeal. A board appeal is a request to have your case reviewed by a Veterans Law Judge at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals in Washington, D.C. There are different avenues available at the Board, and it is important to have guidance in choosing the best option.

Claims for veterans’ disability benefits are commonly denied because of:

• Insufficient medical evidence
• Insufficient evidence to prove a service-connection
• Missed deadlines
• Incorrect forms being filed
• Pre-existing conditions

If your claim for VA disability benefits was denied, The Simpson Legal Group can help.

How a VA Disability Benefits Claims Attorney Can Help

A VA disability benefits attorney can help you receive a better result and a higher disability rating, and can assist you if your claim for VA disability benefits has been denied.

A VA disability benefits attorney will assess your eligibility for disability benefits, help you to fully understand the VA disability benefits claims process, and help you to successfully recover your VA disability benefits. An attorney can help you prove that your disability is service-connected, and will work on your behalf to help you get the benefits you deserve while you focus on your health.

The Simpson Legal Group: Serving Those Who Served

Veterans’ disability attorney Nic Simpson has extensive experience helping veterans obtain the benefits they deserve. He also understands that the VA benefits process is not as easy as it should be. That’s why he has dedicated his practice to serving those who served.

If your claim for VA benefits has been denied, contact The Simpson Legal Group today to schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case and how we can help.