The Veterans Law Center handles appeals of all service connected disability claims that are denied in whole or part by the VA. The following is a partial list of the most common types of conditions, injuries and related claims that our firm handles (please click on the hypertext for information about each condition).
“Agent Orange” refers to a mix of tactical herbicides the U.S. military sprayed in the jungles of Vietnam and around the Korean demilitarized zone to remove trees and dense tropical foliage that provided enemy cover. Herbicides were also used by the U.S. military to defoliate military facilities in the U.S. and in other countries as far back as the 1950s.
For more information regarding Agent Orange claims, click here.
To establish service connection for back and neck injuries, there must be an instigating incident of injury or a complaint of pain while in service or within a year after leaving service. Medical records must indicate a continuing condition and a physician must indicate that the condition is at least as likely as not (50%) likely to have been caused by the veteran’s time in service.
For more information regarding Back and Neck Injuries claims, click here.
Veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theatre of military operations may be entitled to disability compensation for certain undiagnosed illnesses, chronic disability, or presumptive illnesses. Gulf War Syndrome is a catchall term to classify a myriad of unexplained illnesses that many Gulf War veterans suffer from which seem to have no relation to each other; for example, chronic fatigue syndrome or chronic multi-symptom illness. The causes of Gulf War syndrome are not well-known, but there is speculation that toxic exposure or medical vaccinations may be a cause.
For more information regarding Gulf War Syndrome claims, click here.
This occurs when a service-connected disability prevents a veteran from working, the VA is authorized to pay the veteran at the 100 percent rate, even if the veteran’s service-connected disability is rated less than 100 percent. This is called a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU or IU). When a veteran files an original claim or a claim for an increased rating, the veteran is presumed to be making a claim for the highest benefit allowable. This means that, if a veteran’s claims file contains evidence that indicates the veteran may be unemployable due to a service-connected condition, the VA is required to consider and adjudicate a claim for a TDIU rating. However, the VA often fails properly decide the issue of a TDIU rating when considering claims that do not specifically request that it be considered.
For more information regarding Individual Unemployability claims, click here.
Migraine headaches are severe headaches caused by swelling blood vessels in the brain. In cases of severe migraines frequent enough to affect the veteran’s ability to work, veterans can seek a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU). All ratable levels of migraines must be considered prostrating in order to be compensable.
For more information regarding Migraine Headaches claims, click here.
The nervous system is divided into two parts: the central nervous system, and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system consists of the brain, the spinal cord, and the cranial nerves. The peripheral nervous system is made up of all the nerves that travel from the spinal cord to the rest of the body. Nerve damage can be caused by injuries to the head, neck, back or the nerve itself.
For more information regarding Nerve Damage claims, click here.
PTSD occurs after someone has been through or witnessed a dangerous or fearful event. The victim of the event continues to feel stress, anxiety, or fear long after the actual danger is over. PTSD can manifest a variety of symptoms, any of which have the potential to cause the veteran to be totally socially and occupationally impaired. PTSD symptoms can begin appearing soon after the traumatic event, or they can appear years after the event. In either case, the effects of even mild PTSD symptoms can be severe, both on the veteran and the people close to him or her.
For more information regarding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) claims, click here.
Sleep apnea is a condition in which there is a pause in the individual’s regular breathing rhythm or their airways are blocked due to narrowing of the airway or excess mucus while they are asleep. The impairment of air intake during sleep can have dangerous side effects on the heart and respiratory system. A sleep study is necessary for diagnosis.
For more information regarding Sleep Apnea claims, click here.
Although the name seems self-explanatory, TBI is a complicated condition rated by the VA based on the severity of its side effects. TBI refers to a condition where the brain is damaged by a significant trauma to the head from a “traumatic event.” A traumatic event can be a car accident, IED blast, gunshot wound, or a fall causing the veteran to hit his or her head.
For more information regarding Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) claims, click here.
Tinnitus is the perception of ringing or noise in the ears. It is not an actual condition but the symptom of a condition. It can be caused by and injury to the ear, age-related hearing loss, or a disorder of the circulatory system. Tinnitus affects roughly 1 in 5 people.
For more information regarding Tinnitus/Hearing Loss claims, click here.
When a veteran passes away, it is an overwhelming and tragic time for their family. However, it is important for surviving family members to know they may be entitled to benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) based on the veteran’s disabilities. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a benefit usually paid to the veteran’s surviving spouse, but their children and parents may also be eligible.
For more information regarding DIC claims, click here.
For more information regarding DIC Claims claims, click here.
Call us today for a FREE consultation and get the answers you need regarding your service connected disability claim.