Cleveland Veterans
Disability Lawyers

What Our Clients Say

Available Veterans Benefits

Whether you’re a disabled veteran or the widow of a veteran, veterans benefits are designed to supplement your income and help you support your family. If you’re approved, there are a variety of benefits available to you.

Depending on the nature of your service and your disability, you may be entitled to:

• Disability Compensation
  Disability compensation is a benefit paid to a veteran who suffered injuries or diseases that happened while on active duty or were made worse by active military service. You can use the VA’s Compensation Rate Tables to estimate your benefit.
• Pension
  Pension is a benefit paid to wartime veterans who have limited or no income. Veterans who are seriously disabled may qualify for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits, which are paid in addition to the basic pension rate.
• Death Pension
  Death Pension or spouse and child pension is a needs-based benefit paid to an un-remarried surviving spouse or an unmarried child of a deceased wartime veteran.

There are other benefits available to you, including education benefits, housing loans, vocational rehabilitation services, and life insurance. You can learn more about these cases by viewing our veterans disability FAQ page.

If you’re struggling with the VA to get the benefits you’ve earned, we’re here to help you resolve your claim. Contact Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy today by completing a free initial consultation form.

Common Reasons for VA Benefits Denials

Veterans applying for disability benefits often face denials, even when their claims are obviously valid. Understanding the most common reasons for these denials can help veterans avoid mistakes and strengthen their applications.

Common reasons for denial include:

• Lack of Sufficient Medical Evidence: The VA requires clear medical documentation linking a veteran’s condition to their military service. If medical records don’t clearly support this connection, the claim may be denied.
• Incomplete Service Records or Missing Documents: The VA relies on military service records to verify injuries, exposures, or other service-related conditions. If these records are incomplete or missing, there’s a good chance the claim may be rejected.
• Errors in Application Forms or Missed Deadlines: VA disability claims require a lot of paperwork. Even seemingly minor errors in the application process or missed deadlines can result in a denial.

At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, we help veterans avoid these common pitfalls by ensuring their applications are complete, accurate, and well-supported with evidence.

Appealing a Denied VA Disability Claim

If you’ve received a denial, do not panic. It’s not the end of the process. Veterans have the following options to appeal and seek the benefits they deserve:

• Request a Higher-Level Review: If a denial occurs because of a mistake or misinterpretation of evidence, veterans can request a Higher-Level Review. This is where a senior claims reviewer reevaluates the case without new evidence.
• Submit a Supplemental Claim with New Evidence: Veterans can submit a Supplemental Claim if they have additional medical records, service documents, or other new and relevant evidence that was not previously submitted.
• Appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA): If a veteran disagrees with the VA’s decision, they can file an appeal with the BVA. This may include requesting a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The complexity of the appeals process can be overwhelming. Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy guides veterans through each step, making sure appeals are filed correctly and supported by strong evidence.

Evidence Needed to Support a VA Disability Claim

Having solid evidence is key to a successful VA disability claim. The proper documentation can make all the difference in proving that a veteran’s disability is directly connected to their military service.

Important evidence in VA disability claims includes:

• Medical Records and Nexus Letters from Healthcare Providers: Medical records show a veteran’s diagnosis and treatment history, while a nexus letter from a doctor clearly states that the disability is linked to their time in service
• Service Records Detailing Injury or Exposure During Service: These can provide details about injuries or exposure to harmful conditions during active duty. Things like deployment history and incident reports can also help paint a clear picture of how a disability developed.
• Lay Statements from Family, Friends, or Fellow Service Members: Personal statements from family members, friends, or fellow service members who have witnessed the veteran’s injury or seen how their condition has affected them over time can add powerful credibility and strengthen a claim.

Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy helps veterans gather and organize all of these compelling pieces of evidence and work with medical and military experts to build strong cases.

Contact Our Cleveland Veterans Disability Lawyers Today

If your VA disability claim has been denied or you need help filing, our experienced attorneys are ready to assist. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case. We are committed to helping veterans secure the benefits they have earned.