Veteran Disability Benefits

WEST MICHIGAN VETERANS DISABILITY AND AID AND ATTENDANCE BENEFITS ATTORNEYS

Like many large institutions, the bureaucracy of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs can be overwhelming. Veterans seeking appeals for disability ratings or information on benefits used to have to go it alone. Thankfully, the VA now allows attorneys to represent veterans before its review boards. Reeder Plachta Murphy P.C. is proud to be one of the few law firms in West Michigan to be certified by the VA, empowered to help veterans and their families pursue the benefits to which they are entitled.

Our mission is to help you understand your legal rights and successfully pursue the benefits you earned by serving our country.

Disability Compensation

Service connected disability compensation benefits are paid monthly. Your benefit amount depends on the severity of your disability. The VA assigns the severity a “percentage disabled” number, called the disability rating. Amounts paid can range from $123 to $2,673 per month – or more if very severe conditions exist. This is not an income-based benefit. If you believe you have an injury from your service, we strongly encourage you to apply for disability compensation, especially since there is typically no statute of limitations for these claims. And if you believe your rating should be upgraded to entitle you to additional benefits we can assist you in effectively preparing and presenting your case to the VA.

Disability Claims and Appeals

If you have a service-related disability, you may have had a claim denied or assigned a lower percentage rating than the facts of your case warrant. We are here to help. We will coordinate with your medical team and navigate the bureaucracy of the VA on your behalf. We will use our experience with the bureaucracy of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as our industry contacts, to navigate the rules and regulations to effectively advocate for you.

Service Connected Injury

VA regulations require the Department to provide benefits to those who have been injured while in military service. Service Connection is the common term for these benefits. The injury or illness does not have to be caused by combat. To count as a service connection-eligible injury, it only needs to be incurred while on active service or under military orders.

military personnel with one in a wheelchair and another with a knee brace and cane

Vietnam Era and Agent Orange

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has established a service connection for Vietnam Veterans with any of three specific illnesses based on the latest evidence of an association with the herbicides referred to as “Agent Orange.” The illnesses are B cell leukemia (such as hair cell leukemia), Parkinson’s disease, and Ischemic heart disease. This is great news for our heroes that served during the Vietnam era, making it substantially easier for those afflicted with the above conditions to directly relate them to their time in the service. If you, or a loved one, have any disability concerns regarding your time in the service during the Vietnam era call us today.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Just because a disability isn’t readily visible doesn’t mean it isn’t real or serious. The stress of combat can linger for years before any problems are apparent. One of the most common diagnoses of combat veterans is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Compensation is available for PTSD, but you must take the initiative by filing a claim for benefits. If you, or a loved one, is suffering from PTSD, contact us today.

A Trusted Team of Benefits Specialists

Unlike most law firms, our team includes not only attorneys who are well-versed in elder law and litigation, but also a Government Benefits team of attorneys and paraprofessionals. One of our team members, Richard J. Cross, is a military veteran himself and previously worked as a Social Security Administration Claims Representative and as an Eligibility Specialist for the Veterans Administration. Our Government Benefits client service team taps a wealth of experience and industry contacts to advocate on your behalf, whether you served 4 days or 40 years ago.

We invite you to contact Reeder Plachta Murphy P.C. to schedule a consultation with a member of our Government Benefits team.

Government Benefits Team: Bryan D. Reeder, Miles J. Murphy IIIMark Northrup