It should not be surprising that many people who apply for veterans’ disability benefits often wind up with unsatisfactory outcomes to their cases. Fortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs has an appeals process that allows people to appeal their application. Here are five reasons you may want to consider appealing your VA disability application:
- You did not provide enough evidence when you first applied
- A common reason some veterans are denied disability benefits is that they did not have enough medical evidence to back up their claims. This could be due to a lack of evidence at the time, or it could be due to a failure to provide that evidence on your part or on the part of your doctor. Either way, you can always attempt to appeal your claim if you have new medical evidence to submit.
- You received too low of a disability rating
- Another common reason some people choose to appeal their disability application is that they are given benefits… but relatively minimal benefits compared to what they might be entitled to. An appeal can not only reverse a denial, but also help someone already accepted to get a higher disability rating. This, in turn, can entitle them to better disability benefits.
- Your condition has worsened over time
- While some disabilities basically remain the same from the moment you first experience them, some can worsen over time. This can turn a relatively manageable condition into something that is potentially debilitating. This, in turn, can mean a medical condition that previously did not qualify for benefits, or only qualified for minimal benefits, might earn you a greater disability rating later.
- Your disability was ruled to be unrelated to your service
- Sometimes, the VA will acknowledge you have a disability, but refuse to award VA disability benefits on the grounds that your disability is not service-related. This could be due to the fact that your disability did not become evident until some time after your service, or it could be that your service worsened a preexisting condition. Either way, an appeal could help you to obtain benefits for a disability that was wrongly classified as unrelated to your military service.
- You did not have a lawyer or other professional representative
- Sometimes, having the right person to represent you can make all the difference in the world. A lawyer with experience handling VA disability claims can go over your application with you and help you obtain the benefits you deserve. Get in contact with us, and we can maximize your chances of getting a good outcome in your case.
The attorneys of Sullivan & Kehoe place a special focus on assisting disabled veterans. Our veterans’ disability lawyers are still available for remote consultation on your legal issues. Call our office at (800) 395-7830 to schedule a consultation in our New York City, Garden City, Kings Park, Riverhead, or White Plains office, or visit our contact page.
