Proudly Serving Veterans in Florida
The brave men and women who have dedicated their lives in service of our country deserve the Veterans benefits to which they are entitled. Our laws are designed to honor the commitment and sacrifices of our military service members by recognizing Veterans legal entitlement to certain benefits. Unfortunately, applying for and receiving these benefits can be a challenging process.
If you are a military veteran who has been denied for disability benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), you should retain the services of an experienced veterans benefits attorney for professional legal assistance to appeal the denial of Veterans benefits. At Finley Williams Law, PA, we are dedicated to helping military service members appeal the denial of VA benefits and obtain the benefits they are entitled to. We provide personalized legal services that address the particular issues of your case. Our skilled veterans benefits attorney will guide you through each step of the claims and appeals process to help you maximize your recovery of benefits with the VA.
For more information, contact Finley Williams Law, PA at (727) 280-6837 to schedule a complimentary consultation today with our experienced veterans benefits attorney.
Basic Eligibility for Veterans Benefits
For purposes relating to recovering VA disability benefits, federal law defines a “veteran” to mean “a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.” 38 USCS § 101(2). Veterans whose discharge was characterized as “honorable,” “under honorable conditions,” or “general” are eligible for benefits. Your discharge character can be found in your DD Form 214 separation documents. If you did not receive a DD Form 214 or cannot find it, we can help you retrieve a copy.
Service-Connected Disability Benefits
Veterans who developed a disability during, or in connection with, their active military service may be entitled to compensation. The VA will assign a disability rating that represents the extent of your disability’s impact on your ability to perform work or activities of daily living. Claims must be supported by credible medical evidence, but the VA will accept nonmedical lay statements in certain situations.
We provide professional assistance throughout the VA benefits claims and appeals process, including:
- Increased Rating Claims. If your disability has deteriorated, we can help you prepare medical evidence in support of a claim to increase your disability rating.
- Reopened Claims. If your original claim is denied, you can reopen your claim. A reopened claim must be supported by new and material evidence.
- Appealing VA Decisions. If your claim was denied, we can help you with the appeals process. Appealing a VA decision requires several steps that require timely responses from the veteran. We can help you understand and develop an effective strategy for this process. Appeals must be initiated within 1 year from the date your claim was denied.
- “Clear and Unmistakable Error” (CUE) Motions. A decision from the Board of Veterans Appeals that was based on a “clear and unmistakable error” of fact or law may be reversed. Unlike appeals, CUE motions can be filed no matter how long ago the VA made its decision. However, successful CUE motions must pass a high standard and are limited to one per claim. We can help determine if your claim qualifies for this type of relief.
Call an Experienced Veterans Disability Benefits Attorney in St. Petersburg
Dealing with the VA can be a challenging and drawn out process. That is why you should consult a skilled St. Petersburg veterans benefits attorney to assist you with your claims. At Finley Williams Law, PA, our veterans disability benefits attorney has the skill and sophisticated understanding of Veterans benefits law to help you recover the necessary compensation for your disability. We offer personalized legal services to veterans and their families with a focus on their individual needs.
Call Finley Williams Law, PA at (727) 280-6837 or contact us online for a free initial consultation today.