You’ve done your part. You served your country, often under difficult conditions. But when the time came for the VA to recognize your sacrifices with the disability benefits you’ve earned, you were met with red tape and a low rating or even a denial.
That’s where we step in. We’re not a general law firm that occasionally handles VA cases – we specialize exclusively in veterans’ disability law.
Our VA-accredited lawyers know the system inside and out: what evidence the VA actually needs to see, how to challenge an unfair decision, and how to build a case that will be approved. If your disability claim was denied or underrated, we’ll take the fight directly to the VA on your behalf.
With a 96% success rate in the cases we take on, we’ve helped thousands of veterans nationwide, including right here in the Biloxi-Gulfport area, finally get the fair outcome they deserve. Tell us about your claim and let us evaluate it for free – we never charge upfront fees and will only get paid if you get paid.
Our Legal Services
- Disability Compensation: Our attorneys help Biloxi and Gulfport veterans recover the full compensation they deserve for physical or mental health conditions connected to military service, including any owed back pay.
- VA Disability Appeals: If the VA denied your claim or gave you a rating that doesn’t reflect your condition, we take charge of the appeals process from start to finish. Our team reviews your file, gathers new medical evidence, and presents a clear, persuasive argument to ensure your case is given fair consideration.
- Increased Compensation: If your health has worsened since your original decision, you may qualify for a higher VA disability rating (which means more monthly compensation). We’ll help you appeal for an increase and provide the updated medical documentation needed to support your request.
- Survivor Benefits: We assist the spouses, children, and parents of Mississippi veterans who passed away in the line of duty or from service-connected conditions. Our lawyers handle claims for DIC and other death benefits to ensure veterans’ families receive the support they need.
- Special Monthly Compensation: Veterans with severe or multiple disabilities may qualify for SMC, an additional payment above the 100% rate. We help ensure your claim fully reflects your condition and the assistance you require.
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability: Our firm works with Gulf Coast veterans to document how their disabilities affect their ability to work and earn a living. If the service-connected conditions make it impossible to hold full-time 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
Your VA disability rating represents how severe your service-connected condition is and how much it affects your daily life, from your ability to work and take care of yourself to your overall financial stability. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs assigns ratings in increments of 10%, ranging from 10% to 100%, with each level reflecting a greater degree of disability and providing a higher, tax-free monthly payment.
When you have multiple service-connected conditions, the VA doesn’t simply add the percentages together. Instead, it uses a combined ratings formula, which often results in a total rating lower than the simple sum of your individual percentages. That’s why even a small increase in your rating can make a meaningful difference in your monthly compensation – every percentage point truly matters.
Below are the current monthly payments to a single veteran with no dependents:
- 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
Veterans with spouses, children, or dependent parents qualify for additional monthly compensation. The VA updates these figures annually to reflect cost-of-living adjustments. You can estimate your total compensation using the VA Disability Calculator.
Beyond federal VA payments, Mississippi provides several valuable programs to disabled veterans, including property tax exemptions, tuition grants and fee waivers.
Together, your VA disability compensation and Mississippi state benefits can offer lifelong financial stability, healthcare access, and recognition for your service. If your current rating doesn’t reflect the true impact of your condition, our VA disability lawyers can help you pursue a higher rating and ensure you receive the full benefits you deserve.
Work with us to get your Benefits
Proving Toxic Exposure Claims
The Mississippi Gulf Coast has a proud military legacy, but many of the bases that shaped this region’s history have also faced serious environmental contamination over the decades. Service members stationed at or near Biloxi, Gulfport, and surrounding areas may have come into contact with harmful substances such as PFAS (the “forever chemicals” found in firefighting foam), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, and other hazardous materials used in daily base operations.
These exposures have been linked to lasting health problems, including certain cancers, liver and kidney damage, autoimmune diseases, and respiratory disorders. The military installations near Biloxi and Gulfport with documented or suspected toxic exposure risks include:
- Keesler Air Force Base (Biloxi, MS) – Environmental testing has identified PFAS contamination in soil and groundwater, primarily from the historical use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) during fire training exercises. The Department of Defense lists Keesler among active sites undergoing assessment for potential off-base groundwater impacts.
- Naval Construction Battalion Center (Gulfport, MS) – In addition to being a potential site of Agent Orange exposure, the U.S. Navy has confirmed PFAS detections and other pollutants at NCBC Gulfport related to decades of shipyard, equipment maintenance, and firefighting training. Contaminants of concern include PFOS, PFOA, lead, and petroleum compounds from industrial and fuel-handling operations. Remediation and monitoring efforts remain ongoing under Navy and EPA oversight.
- Gulfport–Biloxi Regional Airport / Former Military Training Area – Portions of land formerly used for air operations and training support have undergone testing for fuel-related pollutants and solvents used in aircraft maintenance, including TCE and benzene, both known carcinogens.
- John C. Stennis Space Center (near Bay St. Louis, MS) – Though primarily a NASA installation, Stennis has shared military operations and historically used firefighting foams containing PFAS. Investigations by the Department of Defense and EPA have identified contamination concerns in surrounding soil and groundwater.
Even if your claim was denied in the past, you may now qualify for compensation based on new VA rules and expanded recognition of Agent Orange, PFAS and toxic exposure-related conditions. Our lawyers understand the challenges you’re facing and we’re here to help you prove your exposure and get the benefits you deserve.
How to Win Your VA Disability Claim
Getting a VA disability claim approved relies on painting a convincing picture of how your service affected your health. Whether you’re dealing with a straightforward injury or a complex case involving chemical exposure, the VA looks for three key elements:
- A Verified Medical Diagnosis – You must have an official, up-to-date diagnosis from a qualified healthcare provider (either through the VA or your private doctor). This confirms that you are currently living with the condition you’re claiming.
- Evidence of an In-Service Event, Injury or Illness – The VA needs evidence that something happened during your time in uniform that caused or aggravated your condition. This might include an injury sustained during training, exposure to hazardous substances on base, or the first appearance of symptoms while you were serving.
- A Connection Between the Two – A medical expert must explain how your current condition is “at least as likely as not” connected to your military service. This link (called the nexus) is often the hardest part to prove, especially in toxic exposure cases. Working with an experienced VA-accredited attorney can make all the difference in getting it recognized.
We help veterans gather the medical evidence, service records, and expert opinions needed to satisfy each of these VA requirements. Whether your claim involves an injury causing secondary disabilities, long-term health issues from Navy Seabee operations in Gulfport, or another service-related condition, our team knows how to present your case clearly and effectively.
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Why Choose Hill & Ponton?
Even with strong supporting evidence, the VA can miss key details, underrate your condition, or deny your claim entirely. That’s when having an experienced legal team makes a difference. At Hill & Ponton, we’ve represented thousands of veterans across the country, with a 96% success rate.
- We Understand the VA’s Complex System: VA disability law is complicated and constantly changing. Our VA-accredited attorneys stay on top of every update, policy shift, and legal nuance to ensure your claim is backed by the most current and effective legal strategy.
- We Personalize Every Appeal: Whether your best route is a Supplemental Claim, a Higher-Level Review, or a hearing before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA), we’ll guide you every step of the way and ensure your case is filed accurately and on time.
- We Handle the Hard Parts for You: From obtaining your C-File to locating medical documentation and coordinating expert nexus letters, our team takes on the heavy lifting so you can focus on your health.
- We Maximize What You’re Owed: Many veterans are eligible for more than they’re currently receiving. We push for the highest possible rating, including TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability), and Special Monthly Compensation when applicable.
Veterans who have legal representation during the appeals process are significantly more likely to win. If your VA claim has been denied or you think your rating is too low, reach out today for a free case evaluation. There are no upfront costs and you don’t pay unless we win.
Local Resources for Biloxi-Gulfport Veterans
Biloxi and Gulfport form a vital hub for veterans along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. Many former service members in this region depend on local support for VA health care, housing, and disability benefits. While our legal team proudly assists veterans throughout Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, and surrounding communities, several important VA facilities in the area offer additional services and support:
- Harrison County Veterans Affairs – Judicial District 1: Provides assistance and advocacy for veterans in Gulfport and surroundings. Address: 1801 23rd Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501. Phone: 228‑865‑4027
- Harrison County Veterans Affairs – Judicial District 2: Provides assistance and advocacy for veterans in Biloxi and surroundings. Address: 730 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39530. Phone: 228‑435‑8271
- Biloxi Vet Center: Provides readjustment counseling, PTSD, MST counseling, bereavement support, family counseling (non‑medical). Address: 288 Veterans Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39531
- Biloxi VA Medical Center (VA Gulf Coast Health Care): 400 Veterans Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39531. Offers inpatient/outpatient medical services, specialty care, mental health, pharmacy, etc.
- Gulfport satellite of the Biloxi VA Medical Center: 1390 29th Avenue #B, Gulfport, MS 39501
Housing Assistance and Support for Veterans in the Biloxi-Gulfport Area
Veterans living along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast have access to a range of housing assistance programs designed to prevent homelessness and support long-term stability. If you’re a veteran in Biloxi, Gulfport, D’Iberville, or nearby communities, here are key local resources:
- The VA Gulf Coast Homeless Care Team, based out of the Biloxi VA Medical Center, connects veterans with housing programs, job training, mental health services, and VA benefits to prevent or end homelessness.
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Continuum of Care (CoC) coordinates services across Harrison, Jackson, and Hancock counties to ensure veterans facing homelessness can quickly access shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing options.
- Supportive Services for Veteran Families operates in the Gulf Coast region, providing short-term financial help with rent, utilities, and relocation for veterans at risk of eviction or currently experiencing homelessness.
- Open Doors Homeless Coalition, headquartered in Gulfport, works closely with veterans and community providers to offer case management, housing referrals, and crisis support across the Mississippi coastal counties.
At Hill & Ponton, we know that housing insecurity and unemployment often go hand-in-hand with disability claim denials or underratings. If you believe your VA claim was wrongly decided, our VA-accredited attorneys are ready to assist, with no fees unless we win your case. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.