by Staff Blogger | October 31st, 2018
The U.S. military makes all personnel swear oaths to their service branch and to their country for the length of their contracts. In return, each branch of the armed forces promises certain benefits and perks to service members, including disability benefits if they suffer service-related injuries or develop service-related illnesses.
But every year, countless veterans are denied the benefits they desperately need when they’re no longer able to do their jobs or serve their countries due to health conditions. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) oversees administering disability benefits, and it is notoriously strict when reviewing evidence and determining when applications are valid and worthy.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville veterans disability benefits lawyers know that first-time disability benefits applicants are often denied. In 2016, the New York Times reported that there was a sharp increase in the number of veterans who were denied benefits when they needed them the most. Many veterans believe that they can get benefits on their own, but the reality is that most veterans need help from someone who understands the claim and appeals process and who knows how the VA reviews applications.
Because you need veterans disability benefits, you shouldn’t have to worry about jumping through hoops just to have a small chance of your application being approved. Instead, you should focus on your recovery and spending time with your family. Leave the paperwork and the back-and-forth with the VA up to us. Call today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | August 7th, 2018
When you develop a disability while serving your country, you expect to be taken care of until you recover or for the rest of your life if your disability is permanent.
But the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doesn’t make it easy for veterans to get the benefits they’re supposed to be entitled to receive as part of their military service.
In addition to a huge backlog that creates wait lists that can last for months or even years, the VA also heavily scrutinizes the claims it receives, and it’s not uncommon for seriously injured and profoundly disabled veterans to see their claims denied.
At Ponce Law, our Nashville veterans disability benefits lawyers have helped many veterans like you, and we know that many claims are denied due to a few common mistakes, including:
- Lying about your injuries or illnesses—Always be honest and upfront about your health when applying for veterans disability benefits. Don’t exaggerate your symptoms, but don’t downplay them, either. If your health status on your application doesn’t match up with what your doctor or the VA’s doctor finds, it could jeopardize your claim.
- Waiting too long to file a claim or get assistance—Because of the VA’s backlog of claims, it’s important to file your claim with the help of an attorney as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the longer it will take for you to get the money you deserve. In addition, the VA may be more suspicious of your claim when it reviews your case.
Let us handle the veterans disability benefits application and appeals process on your behalf while you focus on getting better. Call us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | May 9th, 2018
At Ponce Law, we know how disappointing and disillusioning it can be for veterans like you when they’re denied the benefits they desperately need.
You served your country admirably, and when you need its support in return, you may feel like the system has turned its back on you.
Our Nashville veterans disability benefits lawyers have seen that scenario play out many times over the years. It’s frustrating and heartbreaking, but having an experienced legal team on your side can help you maximize your chances of getting the benefits you deserve.
Going up against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on your own can feel daunting, as its requirements for approving claims are strict. But when you call us, it’s our goal to give you peace of mind and help you increase your chances of approval by:
- Handling the paperwork—A significant portion of the veterans disability benefits application process comes down to paperwork, including having the right paperwork, completing it correctly, and submitting it on time. You may not have the time or energy to worry about that when you’re injured or sick, so let us take care of it.
- Fighting to help you get approved—It’s not uncommon for people to get denied by the VA on their first attempts at getting benefits. But we know how the appeals process works, and we’ll fight for your rights to the benefits you need. Trust our experience and our track record of success—we’re here to help.
Get the experienced legal advocacy you and your loved ones deserve, and let us help you get the benefits you earned during your years of service. Call today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | March 28th, 2018
It’s something no member of the United States Armed Forces wants to be concerned about, but service-related injuries may leave servicemen and women unable to work or continue fulfilling their duties.
Unfortunately, service-related disabilities are a reality for thousands of American military members every year. People who serve in all branches of the military are eligible to file claims for veterans disability benefits with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) if they meet certain important qualifications, including:
- Service in the military on active duty – In addition to standard active duty service, this qualification is also met by people who were on active duty for training exercises and who were on inactive duty for training.
- Discharge under other than dishonorable conditions – Per the VA’s website, applicants can’t be discharged dishonorably for any reason and remain eligible for veterans disability benefits.
- Service-related disability and and rating of at least 10 percent – Medical evidence must be able to prove that mental or physical disabilities exist, that they’re linked to active duty service, and that they rate at least 10 percent on the VA’s veterans disability scale.
Even if you meet all of those requirements, there’s no guarantee you’ll get the benefits you deserve. The VA can take time to process claims, and many deserving applicants are denied. At Ponce Law, our Nashville veterans disability lawyers know how the process works, and it’s our goal to help you get the benefits you deserve.
Let our experienced legal team help you maximize your chances of approval. Call us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | January 17th, 2018
When you made a pledge to serve your country, you expected to be eligible to receive all of the benefits associated with military service. But as you may have already found out, getting those benefits isn’t always a simple process–especially when it comes disability benefits.
Too often, veterans who are ill or hurt and unable to work are denied the benefits they deserve, leaving them and their families in difficult situations. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) handles benefits claims, but it doesn’t always give applications the priority and attention they deserve.
The Nashville veterans disability benefits lawyers at Ponce Law know how the process works, including all steps of filling an application and appealing the VA’s decision if it rejects your initial claim. If you choose us to handle your case, you can count on our legal team to:
- Make sure the VA understands why you can’t work – The VA wants definitive proof of disability when someone applies for benefits. We’ll collect medical records and accident reports to make sure there’s no confusion about when and where your injury or illness occurred.
- Handle the claim or appeal on your behalf – Applying for benefits is a time-consuming process. Large amounts of paperwork must be filled out correctly, completely, and submitted on time. We’ll handle this process for you while you spend time with your loved ones.
Filing a claim or submitting an appeal on your own can be an uphill battle. With our experienced legal team on your side, you can maximize your chances of getting the benefits you deserve. Call today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | September 22nd, 2017
When you enlist in the U.S. military, you put your life on the line for the freedom of our country. In return, you receive benefits both during and after your military career, such as paychecks, pensions, and insurance. One of the most important types of benefits for veterans and their families is disability benefits—or money that they can receive to replace their income if they are unable to work due to conditions developed during their military service.
Getting approved for disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be an uphill battle, and it helps to have an experienced Nashville veterans disability benefits lawyer on your side throughout the process.
At Ponce Law, we know that many veterans are unsure if their injury, illness, or condition is eligible for VA benefits. Common health problems that are approved by the VA include:
- Chronic back pain resulting from a current diagnosed back disability
- Breathing problems resulting from a current lung condition or lung disease
- Severe hearing loss
- Scar tissue
- Loss of range of motion
- Ulcers
- Cancers caused by contact with toxic chemicals or other dangers
Other conditions that may make you eligible for benefits include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety
The VA assigns disability ratings based on the severity of health conditions, and those ratings affect disability payments. It’s important to make sure the VA gets all the required information for your condition to be rated accurately for you to get the money you deserve.
Don’t wait any longer to get the benefits you deserve. Call Ponce Law today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | August 25th, 2017
At Ponce Law, we believe that every veteran who serves our country deserves benefits if they get injured in the line of duty. Unfortunately, many veterans see their claims for benefits get reduced or denied by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Veterans whose claims are denied often feel blindsided by the result—especially if there’s plenty of documentation that their injuries occurred during their service in the military.
Our team of Nashville veterans disability benefits lawyers has helped many brave men and women and their families get the benefits they deserve. Our years of experience have taught us that the VA rejects claims for many reasons, but two of the most common include:
- The VA doesn’t believe your injury or illness is disabling. To be eligible for benefits, the VA must both have proof of your service-related injury or illness and believe that it prevents you from working. The latter can be complicated, as it may require a doctor or healthcare professional giving you a specific diagnosis of a disability-eligible condition.
- The VA doesn’t believe your injury or illness is service-related. Even if you have proof that your condition originated during your military service, the VA may attribute it or worsening symptoms to events that occurred after you were discharged. Having an advocate on your side who can explain that the condition is strictly service-related can help maximize your chances of obtaining benefits.
Don’t wait to get the benefits you deserve. Let our legal team put its experience and resources to work for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | May 29th, 2017
Active and retired servicemen and women deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. That’s the position of Ponce Law, and we hope it’s your position as well. They put their lives on the line to protect us all and the freedoms we enjoy. Military service can often result in broken bodies and troubled minds, leaving our disabled veterans in a desperate situation.
There are government safeguards in place to ensure these veterans are taken care of, but securing those benefits on your own can be extremely difficult. First of all, you’re disabled, which makes even the simplest task much more complicated. How can you be expected to sift through mountains of paperwork in your current state? Secondly, proving your disability isn’t as simple as filing out a form. It can be a long, complicated process, and if you get one step wrong, it could end in a denial.
That’s why if you’ve been denied Veterans Disability benefits, you should give us a call immediately for a free consultation. We’ll review your application for free and won’t charge you any lawyer fees until we get benefits for you. At Ponce Law, we believe in honoring those who served our country, and we do so by helping Nashville disabled veterans get the benefits they deserve.
by Staff Blogger | April 21st, 2017
There’s no easy job in the armed forces. You joined because you felt like you could make a difference, and you did your duty to the best of your ability. Now that you’re disabled, our country should remember the sacrifices you made and live up to their responsibilities. That means providing full veterans disability benefits for you and your family. Unfortunately, securing those benefits on your own can be difficult, especially considering your disability.
At Ponce Law, we honor our servicemen and women by providing free, no obligation consultations to every veteran who walks through our doors. If you have a question about your disability application or have been denied, we’re ready to provide the information you need to take the right next steps. Over the years, we’ve helped a number of Nashville veterans secure the benefits they deserve, and we’re ready to do the same for you.
If you’ve been denied veterans disability benefits, call us today for your free, no obligation consultation. We’ll review your application at no cost, and if we feel we can help, we will. You have an advocate in Nashville ready to assist you. Contact us today.
by Staff Blogger | October 10th, 2016
At Ponce Law, we handle workers’ comp claims for Nashville’s injured workers because we expect Nashville employers to honor the work their employees do and take care of them when that work leads to injury. That’s a simple expectation that we believe most Americans share. It just makes sense. So if we can all agree that workers’ rights to compensation after an injury should be upheld, doesn’t it make sense that our veterans’ rights to disability benefits should be upheld as well?
Unfortunately, many Nashville veterans find it difficult to secure veterans disability benefits, leaving them wondering how they’ll provide for their family. Even though their injuries are a direct result of their service to our country, their application is denied. They can appeal, but often the outcome is the same: denial. That’s why it’s vitally important that veterans have an experienced legal advocate on their side when appealing.
That’s where Ponce Law comes in. For years, we’ve helped our disabled veterans in Nashville secure the benefits they deserve. If you’ve been denied your veterans disability benefits, we may be able to help. Give us a call for a free consultation. We’ll review your situation and do everything within our power to make sure your appeal ends with an approval.
