Veteran Disability Attorney in Pittsburgh

If you are a veteran with a service-related disability, you may be entitled to compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Unfortunately, the VA is notoriously backlogged, and it can take months or even years to get the benefits you deserve. That's where a veterans disability lawyer comes in.

A veterans disability lawyer can help you understand the VA benefits process, gather the necessary evidence to support your claim, and file an appeal if your claim is denied. While there are many lawyers who specialize in veterans disability law, not all of them are created equal. Here's what you need to know to choose the right veterans disability lawyer for you.

Experience

When you're looking for a veterans disability lawyer, it's important to choose someone who has experience with the VA benefits process and is familiar with the types of disabilities that are service-related. You also want to make sure that you choose someone you feel comfortable working with and who will be responsive to your needs.

Ask for Referrals

To narrow down your search, start by asking for referrals from other veterans or from organizations that work with veterans. You can also ask friends and family if they have any recommendations.

Schedule a Consultation

During your consultation, be sure to ask veterans disability lawyers in Pittsburgh, PA about their experience, as well as how many cases they've handled that are similar to yours. Ask about their success rate and whether or not they think you have a strong case. Finally, ask about their fees and how they typically structure payment.

You want to make sure that you understand all aspects of your case before making a decision, so don't hesitate to ask any questions that come to mind. Once you've chosen a lawyer, they will help guide you through the rest of the process.

The primary way veteran disability lawyers get paid is through contingency fee agreements.

This means that the lawyer only gets paid if they recover compensation for you. If you lose, the lawyer does not receive anything. The amount the lawyer will receive is typically a percentage of the benefits you are awarded. For example, the lawyer may take 20% of your back pay (the money you would have received had your claim been approved from the date you filed it).

Hiring a veterans disability lawyer can give you a significant advantage in winning your claim for benefits from the VA, so it might seem like a high percentage, but it increases the chances that you’ll receive the compensation you are entitled to.

According to the VA, there are millions of veterans with service-connected disabilities receiving benefits each year. While many disabilities can qualify a veteran for benefits, there are some that are more common than others. Here are five common disabilities among veterans:

1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – PTSD is a serious mental health condition that can be caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as combat, child abuse, or a natural disaster. Symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depressed mood, irritability, and insomnia. If you are a veteran suffering from PTSD, you may be entitled to receive VA disability benefits.
2. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – A TBI is defined as an injury to the brain caused by an external force, such as a blast from an improvised explosive device (IED). Symptoms of a TBI can range from mild (e.g., headache) to severe (e.g., coma) and can last for days, weeks, or even years. If you have been diagnosed with a TBI, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits.
3. Amputations – The most common causes of amputations among veterans occur because of IED blasts and gunshot wounds. If you have undergone an amputation as a result of your service, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits.  
4. Blindness – Blindness is one of the most common disabilities among veterans. Blindness can be caused by many different things, including disease, accidents, and—in some cases—combat injuries. Regardless of how it's caused, blindness can have a profound effect on a veteran's ability to live a normal life.
5. Paralysis – Paralysis is the inability to move or feel part of your body due to an injury to the nervous system or spinal cord. There are many different types and degrees of paralysis, ranging from quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs) to paraplegia (paralysis of the lower half of the body).

Some veterans' disabilities will be presumed to have been caused by their time in service even if there is no direct evidence linking their current disabling condition to their time in service. This type of claim is sometimes referred to as "presumptive." An example would be if a Vietnam-era veteran suffers from Parkinson's disease - even though he cannot prove that his Parkinson's disease was caused by his time spent in Vietnam exposed to Agent Orange, his claim will still likely succeed because VA has recognized Parkinson's as being presumptively connected to Agent Orange exposure.

The process of seeking veterans disability benefits can be complicated and time-consuming. At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys have the experience and knowledge to help you navigate the process and get the benefits you deserve. We have been handling these types of claims for decades, and you deserve to be compensated for the sacrifice you made for this country. We will work as hard as possible to make sure you are treated fairly.

For veterans disability lawyers in Pittsburgh, PA, contact Morgan & Morgan to schedule a free consultation.