24.4% of Arizona’s veterans (approximately 115,000 from a total of more than 450,000 veterans) are living with disabilities, according to government statistics. Beyond the official data, many others could still be unrecognized and unable to access the compensation and healthcare they need. That’s where we come in.
At Hill & Ponton, we’re VA-accredited attorneys committed to helping Arizona veterans secure the VA benefits they deserve. We focus exclusively on disability law, with a 96% success rate for the cases we take on. If you’ve been denied compensation or if you’re trying to increase your rating or get VA unemployability, our disability lawyers are here to fight on your behalf.
Our Lawyers Help You Secure Maximum Benefits
- Disability Compensation: We fight to get you the maximum monthly tax-free benefits for disabilities, illnesses, or injuries incurred or aggravated during your military service.
- Disability Appeals: If your claim for service-connected compensation was denied, we can help you appeal the decision. Our attorneys are experts in the VA appeals process and can build a strong case on your behalf.
- Rating Increases: If your service-connected condition has worsened, you may be eligible for a higher disability rating and increased monthly compensation. We can help you file for an increase and gather the necessary medical evidence.
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): We assist surviving spouses, children, and parents of service members or veterans who died from a service-related injury or illness.
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): These are additional, tax-free benefits for veterans with specific needs or severe disabilities, such as the loss of a limb or the need for aid and attendance.
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU): If your service-connected disabilities prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may be eligible for TDIU, which pays at the 100% disability rate, even if your combined rating is lower.
Disability Ratings and Compensation
A VA disability rating is a percentage (from 0% to 100%) assigned to your service-connected condition that reflects its severity. This rating is crucial because it determines the amount of tax-free monthly compensation you receive.
If you have multiple service-connected disabilities, the VA uses a combined rating table to determine your overall disability rating. This calculation is not simple addition. You can estimate your potential benefits using our VA Disability Calculator.
Here’s how much a single Arizona veteran with no dependents might earn per month based on the overall disability rating:
- 10%: $175.51
- 20%: $346.95
- 30%: $537.42
- 40%: $774.16
- 50%: $1,102.04
- 60%: $1,395.93
- 70%: $1,759.19
- 80%: $2,044.89
- 90%: $2,297.96
- 100%: $3,831.30
State Benefits for Arizona Veterans
In addition to federal benefits, disabled veterans also receive local assistance, tax exemptions, veteran discounts and other state benefits specific to Arizona.
Work with us to get your benefits
When Should You Hire a VA Disability Lawyer?
While Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) provide free assistance that’s very useful to veterans filing their initial claims, the VA disability claims and appeals process can be incredibly complex. This is especially true for appeals or cases involving multiple disabilities or complicated medical evidence.
VA-accredited attorneys are authorized by the Department of Veterans Affairs to represent veterans in their claims. This accreditation signifies that they have met specific ethical and educational requirements set by the VA. Hiring accredited attorneys like the Hill & Ponton disability lawyers has several advantages:
- Expertise in VA Law – We specialize in VA law, understanding the nuances of regulations, precedents, and the appeals process.
- Evidence Gathering – We know what evidence the VA requires to support a strong claim and can help you gather necessary medical records, lay statements, and expert opinions.
- Building a Compelling Case – We will meticulously prepare your appeal, ensuring all necessary deadlines are met and arguments are presented persuasively.
- Fighting for Maximum Compensation – We aim to secure the highest possible disability rating and compensation for your service-connected conditions.
- No Fees Unless We Win – Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us unless we successfully win your case or increase your benefits.
Working with a law firm that specializes in VA disability appeals significantly increases your chances of a favorable outcome. At Hill & Ponton, we have a proven track record, with a 96% success rate for the cases we handle.
Our experienced and compassionate disability lawyers understand the unique challenges Arizona veterans face and are committed to fighting for your rights. Read some of our clients’ stories to see how we have previously helped other veterans just like you.
Having What It Takes to Win Your VA Claim
The VA denies thousands of claims each year, often for correctable reasons. A denial might occur due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence, a missed deadline, or the failure to prove a link between your condition and your military service.
Understanding the VA’s requirements is the first step toward winning your appeal. The VA generally looks for three key elements:
- A Current, Diagnosed Disability: You must have a current medical diagnosis of a disability from a qualified healthcare professional.
- An In-Service Event, Injury, or Illness: There must be documented proof of an event, injury, or illness that occurred during your military service.
- A Medical Nexus: This is the critical link between your current disability and the in-service event. A medical expert must provide an opinion that it is “at least as likely as not” that your disability was caused or aggravated by your service.
The process can be complicated, but the Hill & Ponton lawyers are here to guide you through every stage. Our legal team specializes in gathering the evidence needed to satisfy these requirements and present the strongest possible case to the VA.
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VA Disability for Toxic Exposure
Many veterans were exposed to hazardous materials during their time in the military, leading to serious health conditions later in life. Hill & Ponton has extensive experience with claims involving toxic exposure. While a large number of exposures occur in other states or overseas, some Arizona military installations have also been identified as sites with potential toxic exposure:
- Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (Tucson, AZ): Located about seven miles outside downtown Tucson, the base had historical exposure to Agent Blue (a herbicide containing cacodylic acid with high levels of arsenic) between 1973 and 1977, which is linked to neurological disorders, certain cancers and other serious diseases. It is also a PFAS site.
- Fort Huachuca (Sierra Vista, AZ): Home to the U.S. Army’s Network Enterprise Technology Command and the U.S. Army Intelligence Center, it was contaminated with PFAS, the “forever chemicals”.
- Luke Air Force Base (Glendale, AZ): A designated Superfund site where environmental investigations found multiple toxins, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like 1,4-dioxane, benzene, and trichloroethylene (TCE).
- Camp Navajo (Bellemont, AZ): Known for PFAS contamination, with potential health effects including testicular cancer, renal (kidney) cancer, and prostate cancer.
- Picacho Aviation Training Site: Used by the Army National Guard for training, this site was identified by the Department of Defense as being contaminated with PFAS chemicals.
- Silverbell Army Heliport (Marana, AZ): Another PFAS site with potential exposure for pilots undergoing aviation training.
- Williams Air Force Base (Mesa, AZ): This base, which served as a flight training school until its closure in 1993, is a designated Superfund site due to numerous soil and groundwater contaminants. Related disabilities include neurological damage and various cancers, as well as respiratory diseases (from the extensive use of asbestos).
- Yuma Proving Ground (Yuma, AZ): Its main function is the testing of ammunition, artillery systems, and air delivery. The known toxin is PFAS, from the use of firefighting foam.
- Marine Corps Air Station Yuma (Yuma, AZ): Placed on the EPA’s Superfund National Priorities List in 1990, MCAS Yuma has widespread contamination from industrial wastes and fire training activities, potentially causing cancers, neurological disorders, liver and kidney damage and other chronic illnesses.
Even if you were not stationed at a known contaminated site in Arizona, your service elsewhere may have exposed you to toxins. Our lawyers can help you explore the connection between your service history and your current medical condition.
VA Lawyers and Legal Resources Near You
Phoenix
Phoenix VA Regional Office: 3333 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85012. Phone: 800-827-1000
TUcson
Tucson Vet Center: 2525 E. Broadway Blvd, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85716. Phone: 520-882-0333
Arizona VA Facilities and Programs
Veteran assistance
Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services (ADVS): The primary state agency for connecting veterans and their families to benefits and services. The ADVS offers free assistance from trained Veterans Benefits Counselors (VBCs) to help veterans navigate their claims. You can schedule virtual or in-person appointments by calling 602-535-1215 or using their online scheduler.
Be Connected Program: A statewide program offered by ADVS that connects service members, veterans, families, and helpers to a wide range of resources for mental health, employment, housing, and more. Phone: 1-866-429-8387
Arizona Military Family Relief Fund: Provides financial assistance to active duty service members, veterans, and their families experiencing unexpected financial hardships due to military service.
Veterans Program through the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES): Helps veterans and eligible spouses find employment and job training opportunities.
Vet Centers
Dr. Cameron McKinley Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Center (Prescott): 3180 Stillwater Drive, Suite A, Prescott, AZ 86305. Phone: 928-778-3469
Lake Havasu Vet Center (Lake Havasu City): 1720 Mesquite, Suite 101, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403. Phone: 928-505-0394
Mesa Vet Center (Mesa): 1303 South Longmore, Suite 5, Mesa, AZ 85202. Phone: 480-610-6727
Phoenix Vet Center (Phoenix): 4020 N. 20th St. #110, Phoenix, AZ 85016. Phone: 602-640-2981
Sierra Vista Outstation (Sierra Vista): 4481 Campus Drive, Suite A, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Tucson Vet Center (Tucson): 2525 E. Broadway Blvd., Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85716. Phone: 520-882-0333
West Valley Vet Center (Peoria): 14050 N. 83rd Avenue Suite 170, Peoria, AZ 85381. Phone: 623-398-8854
Yuma Vet Center (Yuma): 1450 E. 16th St, Suite 103, Yuma, AZ 85365. Phone: 928-271-8700
Housing Assistance for Arizona Veterans
Stable housing is fundamental to a veteran’s well-being, but veteran homelessness remains a problem in the state of Arizona. In 2023, Arizona identified 929 veterans experiencing homelessness during its annual count, an 8% increase from the previous year. Many more could be in insecure housing situations.
The VA, in collaboration with community partners and the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services (ADVS), offers several programs and resources to combat veteran homelessness in Arizona. These initiatives focus on prevention, rapid re-housing, and providing supportive services to help veterans achieve and maintain stable housing. Veterans can contact ADVS or seek assistance from local Community Resource and Referral Centers.
At Hill & Ponton, we prioritize veterans who face housing insecurity or unemployment. If you’re a disabled veteran and you’ve been denied or underrated by the VA, contact our Arizona VA lawyers for a free case evaluation.