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North Carolina VA Disability Lawyers
Being injured during active duty is the last thing that a veteran hopes will happen when they are serving their country. When you have a current diagnosis for a disabling condition that is linked to your active service, and meet other requirements, you qualify for VA disability benefits. The amount you are entitled to depends upon the degree to which your disability impacts your ability to earn an income, and its impact on your quality of life.
If you are a veteran who has had their initial claim rejected, then one of our North Carolina VA disability lawyers can help.
Qualifying for VA Disability in North Carolina
To qualify for VA disability benefits, you’ll need to provide the VA with proof of a current diagnosis of a disabling condition, and the opinion of a medical expert that links your current diagnosis to an injury, illness, or other event during your qualifying active military service. Reaching out to your local VA office is helpful, as they can help you line up resources in your area to assist in the completion of your initial application. There are cost-free VA-accredited representatives available, which VA.gov can help you locate.
When you meet the following 3 requirements, you’ll generally be approved for VA disability benefits.
Your Military Service Qualifies for VA Disability Benefits
The most important qualification that you’ll need to meet concerning your active military service is that you have a discharge status that is other than dishonorable. Meaning, persons who were dishonorably discharged generally are not eligible to receive VA disability benefits. It is important to note that it is not only active-duty veterans of the main branches of the U.S. Armed Forces that are eligible. Additional organizations are also covered, and veterans who were injured during inactive training and other circumstances may also be eligible.
You Have a Current Diagnosis for a Disabling Condition
Receiving disability benefits requires that you have a present diagnosis for a disabling condition that impacts your ability to work and enjoy life in the way you have prior to the injury.
Your Condition is Service-Related
You’ll need to be able to prove that your current diagnosis was caused by an event, injury, or illness that is connected to your qualifying active service. Primary conditions are covered, as well as some secondary conditions. For example, if a veteran lost a leg during active service, they would be entitled to disability compensation to cover the loss in earnings potential and changes in their ability to enjoy life from the lost leg. If the veteran also developed anxiety and depression due to the primary injury, they could be eligible to collect for the depression and/or anxiety as a secondary condition.
North Carolina VA Disability Lawyer FAQs
How Much Does Hiring a VA Disability Lawyer Cost?
There is no up-front cost, and we only receive a fee if we recover compensation on your behalf. A VA disability attorney will generally receive a portion of the back-pay that you are awarded, an amount we’ll discuss and agree upon ahead of time, and then you are entitled to 100% of your payments going forward.
How long does it take for the VA to make a decision on my disability claim?
The process for your initial application, an appeal, or a supplemental claim is not lightning fast by any means. It can take months before you receive initial contact from the VA, and it can take longer for the claim to process and for a decision to be reached. You can refer to VA.gov for updates on the approximate amount of time that your application will take to process, although it will vary depending upon your unique circumstances, and the volume of applications the VA is processing at the time.
Do I qualify for VA disability benefits if I have anxiety?
One of the most important factors taken into account by the VA in terms of your disability rating is whether or not the condition impacts your ability to work and enjoy the same relationships and activities as before the condition. This is not limited to physically disabling conditions and life-threatening illnesses, but also includes psychological conditions such as anxiety. If you have anxiety that is rated as a primary condition, or as a secondary condition linked to a difference service-related issue, then you may be eligible for compensation.
Does the VA require me to undergo an examination?
While it would be ideal if we could give you a solid yes or no answer here, unfortunately, the answer is lawyerly: it depends. The VA determines whether you are required to undergo a C&P Exam, a Compensation and Pension Exam on a case-by-case basis. For your initial application, the VA may conduct an exam, and if you have been denied, one of our experienced North Carolina VA disability lawyers can help schedule an appointment with a doctor in our network. Our experts are experienced in VA disability claims and can provide the VA with additional evidence in support of your VA disability rating in the format the VA requires and expects.
Discuss Your Options with a North Carolina VA Disability Lawyer
The North Carolina VA disability lawyers from our firm are available to veterans who have filed an initial VA disability claim, and have reached a final decision on that claim. This means that we can help you if you filed a VA disability claim and it was rejected, and need to file an appeal.
Our experienced North Carolina VA disability attorneys are available to assist with your appeal or supplemental claim now. Contact us to get started.
Disclaimer: Please note that Gang & Associates is a national law firm with a focus on serving veterans across the United States. While this and other pages on our website provide state-specific information, our services extend nationwide to assist veterans in need. Gang & Associates is a national veterans disability law firm with satellite offices throughout the country. All offices are by appointment only, and all mail must be directed to our main mailing address at P.O. Box 96503, Dept. 34938, Washington, DC 20090-6503.