Heather Staskiel, Attorney

Prior Employment: Florida Senate, Office of Bill Drafting Services Area of Practice: Veterans Law Bar Admissions: Florida Bar Bar Association Memberships: Florida Bar Association Education: University of Denver, B.A. Florida State University College of Law, J.D. cum laude, Florida State University Law Review, Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award Personal Note: Heather grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri, before moving to Denver, Colorado to attend the University of Denver. At the University of Denver she majored in English, with minors in history and French, and had an active leadership role in her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. She then moved to Tallahassee to attend the Florida State University College of Law. She was a Notes and Comments Editor of the Florida State University Law Review and was awarded the Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award for exceeding pro bono graduation requirements. Heather joined our firm after working two legislative sessions with the Florida Senate where she drafted legislation relating to criminal law and child welfare. She enjoyed being part of the legislative process, but she has always wanted to use her law degree to help people and has welcomed the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of veterans with her colleagues at Hill & Ponton.

VA Disability Benefits

VA Benefits: Not Just Disability Compensation

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VA Disability Ratings

What does a VA Rating Reduction mean?

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VA Disability Ratings

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VA Disability Ratings

Rating Knee Disabilities – The Meniscus

Of all the disabilities listed on the VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities, the ratings involving the knee are one of the most difficult for veterans

VA Disability Ratings

Rating Knee Disabilities – Instability

Of all the disabilities listed on the VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities, the ratings involving the knee are one of the most difficult for veterans

VA Disability Ratings

Rating Knee Disabilities – Flexion vs. Extension

Of all the disabilities listed on the VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities, the ratings involving the knee are one of the most difficult for veterans

Camp Lejeune and the New Presumptive Conditions – Parkinson’s Disease

As you may have heard in the news, the VA has finally recognized 8 conditions that are associated with the contaminated drinking water at Camp

Gulf War Syndrome

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VA Disability Ratings

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While it is easy to assume that once a veteran is awarded the correct rating with the correct effective date that the fight with the VA is now over,

VA Disability Filing Tips

Demystifying the VA Presumption

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Agent Orange Exposure

Special Monthly Compensation for Blue Water Veterans

UPDATE: As of January 2020, Blue Water claims are being processed. If you are a Blue Water veteran who is hoping to be awarded service connection

VA Disability Law

Appealing a BVA Decision – Clear and Unmistakable Error

Today we are going to talk about one of the avenues a veteran may have to appeal a BVA decision - filing a motion to revise a previous final BVA

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