How to Find the Best Veterans Disability Lawyers in Pittsburgh, PA

When a person has become disabled as a result of serving their country, they deserve to be supported by the country they helped to protect. Disabled service members can pursue disability benefits through the Bureau of Veterans Affairs (VA).
 
If you need assistance applying for benefits, reach out to the Pittsburgh veterans disability lawyers at Morgan & Morgan. Our experienced team understands the veterans disability application process.
 
Unfortunately, many veterans benefits applications are denied. If you have been unable to secure the VA disability benefits that are rightfully yours, Pittsburgh veterans disability lawyers can help.
 
At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys have helped veterans appeal their denied claims. We will use the facts from your case to build the most powerful claim possible on your behalf.
 
With our firm’s payment structure, you will not pay a single dime unless our attorneys recover the money that you are due. Veterans should not have to worry that their medical and living costs will go uncovered.
 
Fill out the easy-to-use contact form on the Morgan & Morgan website. Our friendly staff will schedule a no-cost legal consultation to discuss your case.

Understanding Veterans Disability Benefits

The veterans disability benefits program is overseen by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Not every service member is eligible for these benefits.
 
To understand if you are eligible for disability benefits through the VA, reach out to a skilled attorney. To qualify for VA disability benefits, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• The applicant must have served in the military
• The applicant must have a medical condition or injury
• The injury or condition must have started during military service
• The injury or condition was related to their military service

Proving these elements can be very difficult. A skilled legal professional can use the evidence in your case to show that your disability is related to your military service. 
 
Successful applications include proof that the veteran’s disability was caused by their tour of duty. The team at Morgan & Morgan knows how to build powerful veterans disability applications for our clients.

What Kinds of Injuries Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Not every type of injury or illness will qualify applicants for VA benefits. Our Pittsburgh veterans disability lawyers can help you to understand if your condition makes you eligible for related benefits.
 
The skilled legal team at Morgan & Morgan has helped veterans with the following conditions to secure benefits:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Spinal injuries
• Back damage
• Gulf War syndrome
• Leg, arm, and knee injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Amputations
• Malaria, dysentery, and other tropical illnesses
• Shrapnel damage
• Gunshots
• Sickness from toxic chemicals
• Cancers caused by exposure to harmful materials

These are only a few of the illnesses and injuries that can qualify veterans for disability benefit payments. This list is not exhaustive.
 
If you have another condition, consult with our Pittsburgh veterans disability lawyers to discuss financial recovery in your case. The firm at Morgan & Morgan has years of experience fighting for veterans with disabilities.
 
Depending on the type of medical condition that you have developed as a result of your military service, you may be owed compensation. Do not let a small application mistake keep you from getting the money that you deserve.

What Are VA Disability Ratings?

When the VA regional office (RO) is reviewing a benefits application, they assign a disability rating. The VA’s determination of the applicant’s level of disability will determine the kinds of benefits that they can receive.
 
Disability ratings can range from 10% to 100%. The higher the disability rating, the more benefits the veteran will receive.
 
However, applicants must be considered at least 10% disabled to qualify for VA benefit payments. Applicants’ number of dependents will also affect the disability rating that they are assigned.
 
VA disability benefits are not taxable. Veterans are eligible to receive these benefits in addition to their Social Security Disability benefits. 
 
To secure maximum compensation in your case, contact Pittsburgh disability insurance lawyers through the firm at Morgan & Morgan. We can help you to anticipate your disability rating and fight for all of the money you are owed.

What Will Our Legal Specialists Do for You?

Even when you know that you need a legal representative, you may not know how an attorney can help. The VA disability benefits application process can be very complex.
 
Applying for benefits requires specific information and proving that your medical condition resulted from military service. Without a clear understanding of the process, many veterans find themselves facing unjust denials.
 
That is why it is so critical to have a legal professional oversee your initial application. When you hire one of the skilled attorneys at Morgan. & Morgan, we will:

• Complete and file required documentation
• Review relevant medical bills and records
• Access military service records
• Build a powerful case on your behalf
• Negotiate with the VA representatives
• File an appeal if necessary
• Ensure that necessary deadlines are met

When a legal professional handles your claim, you can rest assured that you will have the best chance of getting the money that you deserve.

How Pittsburgh Veterans Disability Lawyers Can Help You File an Appeal

If your initial application for VA disability benefits has been rejected, you may not know how to proceed. The accomplished disability lawyers at Morgan & Morgan have decades of experience helping disabled veterans appeal denials.
 
Our legal team will represent your best interests throughout each step of the appeals process. 

A veterans disability benefits appeal involves the following stages:

Local VA Office Review

The first step in the appeals process is a review by the local Pittsburgh VA office. Your legal representative will file a “Notice of Disagreement” after you receive your rejection letter.
 
It is important to contact an attorney quickly after you have received notice of rejection. Applicants must file a Notice of Disagreement within a year of their initial denial.
 
A skilled disability lawyer will draft and file the required documentation to notify the local VA office of your appeal. After they receive the Notice of Disagreement, the local office will draft a document called a “Statement of Case.”
 
The Statement of Case will include all of the information regarding your application and rejection. This document will contain details regarding the laws, evidence, statutes, and regulations that were used to make the initial decision.
 
After the Statement of Case has been drafted, a local decision review officer will reassess your application. Your lawyer can also request an informal personal hearing on your behalf.
 
At this meeting, your attorney can present the facts of your case. Pittsburgh veterans disability lawyers will examine your application to decide whether this informal hearing will be helpful.

Petition the Board of Veterans Appeals

If the initial Notice of Disagreement does not resolve the issue, your legal representative can file an additional petition through the Board of Veterans Appeals. This entitles you to a hearing in which a board member will review your case. 
 
There are three distinct options for holding this type of appeal hearing:

• A Washington, D.C. hearing at the Board of Veterans Appeals
• A teleconference hearing with a board member in Washington, D.C.
• A local office hearing, overseen by a board member

During this proceeding, your attorney will present the facts of your case. They may ask you certain questions that allow you to explain your situation.
 
This will help to prove that your illness or injury was the result of your tour of duty. Proving this causal relationship is often the most difficult part of a VA benefits appeal.
 
The team at Morgan & Morgan knows what it takes to build a persuasive legal argument in our clients’ favor. When we represent you, our attorneys will use their extensive knowledge and experience to prove that you are owed VA disability benefits.
 
Before the hearing, your lawyer will likely prepare you for the questions they will ask. This can help you to clearly explain why you deserve disability benefits.
 
If this secondary appeals step does not resolve the problem, you still have options.

Appeal the Decision Through the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

Finally, your disability attorney can file a lawsuit through the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. This is the final option for overturning the initial denial.
 
Following a wrongful VA disability benefits denial, a skilled lawyer will file a Notice of Appeal through the court system. Your legal representative will prepare a strong oral argument to present to the judge in your appeals case.
 
Veterans should not have to worry that they will be denied the benefits that they earned by serving our country. To appeal a wrongful denial, reach out to the firm at Morgan & Morgan.