About the Georgia VA

The Georgia VA is a state-run Veterans affairs organization that provides benefits and services to military Veterans and their families. The Georgia VA operates a number of different programs, including healthcare, education, and employment assistance. The Georgia VA also offers a wide range of benefits and services, which can be accessed through their website or one of their many offices located throughout the state. In Georgia, this organization is called the Department of Veterans Service.

The Georgia VA also operates several Veteran’s homes throughout the state, providing temporary housing for aging or disabled Veterans.

Eligibility for Public Assistance

The VA Disability Compensation program may be available to Veterans with service-connected disabilities who were not dishonorably discharged from the military. In the state of Georgia, Veterans’ spouses and families may also be eligible for Veteran’s benefits.

You must file a claim with your local Georgia VA office to get benefits. If the VA refuses your claim, you can appeal the decision to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals with the assistance of an attorney or doing a higher-level review appeal or supplemental claim also with an attorney.

Why Do I Require the Services of an Attorney to Appeal for Veteran’s Benefits?

Many Veterans do not realize they may be entitled to benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when they retire from military service. Others get some benefits, but not all. Obtaining legal assistance is often the best way to ensure you receive all the benefits you have earned.

Historically, service organizations and state-level entities like the Georgia Department of Veterans Services (or Georgia VA) help veterans start the process by filing the initial claim. However, with the enactment of the Appeals Modernization Act, the VA appeals process has become more complex, and the need for legal counsel at the appeals stage is now more important than ever. A veteran can now retain a lawyer after the initial VA denial. Given the various appeal options, consulting legal counsel on an appeals strategy is highly recommended.

Types of VA Legal Services in Georgia

If you have had a previous claim denied, a veterans benefits attorney who handles cases in Georgia can help you gather the necessary evidence to support your claim and can represent you before the VA and the Board of Veterans Appeals to ensure the claim is approved.

If you got a lower rating than you expected, your lawyer will assist you in developing additional evidence and appealing to the higher level—all the way to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, if necessary.

VA Claims Process

The Veterans Affairs (VA) Claims Process is a system in which Veterans can file for benefits related to their service in the military. The process begins with filing a claim, which can be done online, by mail, or in person at a VA office. Once the claim is filed, it is reviewed by a claims processor, who will determine if the Veteran is eligible for benefits. If it is, the Veteran will be given a rating based on their service-related injuries or illnesses. Below are the ratings and payout amounts for Georgia Veterans in 2022:

• 10 percent rating: $152.64 per month
• 20 percent rating: $301.74 per month
• 30 percent rating: $467.38 per month
• 40 percent rating: $673.28 per month
• 50 percent rating: $958.43 per month
• 60 percent rating: $1,214.02 per month
• 70 percent rating: $1,529.94 per month
• 80 percent rating: $1,778.43 per month
• 90 percent rating: $1,998.52 per month
• 100 percent rating: $3,332.06 per month

Additional compensation may be paid to you on behalf of your dependents if you have a VA impairment rating of 30% or more and have dependents in your home, such as your spouse, children, or elderly parents.

100 Percent Disability Rating

Also known as a permanent and total disability rating, this may be granted to eligible Veterans who can demonstrate that their condition is totally disabling and not anticipated to improve.

You don’t have to worry about the VA re-evaluating your case and perhaps decreasing or removing your compensation if you have a permanent and total disability classification.

The Appeal Process

You will be denied if the VA thinks you haven’t satisfied all of their requirements and standards. If the Veteran fails to present the VA with a medical diagnosis of their impairment or the VA does not feel that the disability is service-related, they may get a rejection. An explanation of the VA’s reasons for rejection will be included in the denial letter, and this information is critical in devising a strategy to overcome the decision.

Any Veteran who has been denied benefits has the right to appeal that decision. After receiving that initial denial, it is important to consult a veterans’ benefits attorney at that point. You will want to discuss the possible appeal options with the attorney, such as appealing to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals or filing a Higher-Level Review or Supplemental Claim.

Contact Information for Georgia VA

• Georgia Department of Veterans Services
• 2 MLK Jr Drive SE
• Atlanta, GA 30334
• Georgia VA phone number: (404) 656-2300

Attorney Representation

To help Veterans get the full compensation they are entitled to, the VA disability attorneys at Veterans Disability Info are dedicated to assisting seriously disabled veterans who have recently been denied. We’d like to put our expertise and resources to use for your benefit. For a free case examination, please contact us at (888) 878-9350. You may also reach us via our online form.