Are you still struggling to get the VA benefits you rightfully earned? For too many veterans in Shreveport-Bossier, it’s an uphill battle. Claims get denied. Ratings come back too low. And the VA’s system, full of red tape and rigid rules, can leave you feeling frustrated, forgotten, and stuck.
At Hill & Ponton, we don’t believe any veteran should have to fight this battle alone. VA disability law isn’t a sideline for us, it’s the only thing we do. Founded by a veteran and built to serve veterans, our law firm is committed to helping those who’ve been overlooked or underrated by the VA finally get the support they deserve.
There’s no cost to talk with us, and no fees at all unless we win your case. If you’ve been denied or believe your rating is wrong, let us review your claim. We’ll give you honest answers, a clear path forward, and a team that’s ready to fight for you every step of the way.
Our Legal Services
- Disability Compensation: We fight to make sure veterans receive the full monthly compensation they deserve for physical injuries, psychological conditions, or chronic illnesses that began during service or got worse because of deployments, training, or military duties.
- VA Disability Appeals: If the VA has denied your claim or awarded a rating that doesn’t match your disability, we’re here to step in. Our legal team manages every aspect of the appeals process, working to reverse unfair decisions and recover any past-due benefits you’re owed.
- Increased Compensation: When a veteran’s health declines or a condition worsens over time, it may qualify for a higher disability rating. We work to ensure your current limitations are fully recognized—so you receive the increased compensation you’re entitled to.
- Survivor Benefits: If you’ve lost a loved one to a service-connected illness or injury, we help surviving spouses, children, and parents access DIC and other death benefits designed to provide lasting support.
- Special Monthly Compensation: Veterans with severe disabilities (such as those who are housebound, need aid and attendance, or suffer from loss of use of limbs or vision) may qualify for extra financial support. We know how to build strong cases to win this additional benefit.
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability: Even if your combined VA rating is less than 100%, you may qualify for TDIU if your service-connected conditions prevent you from working.
Disability Ratings and Compensation
When you file a VA disability claim, the Department of Veterans Affairs assigns a disability rating between 10% and 100%, in 10% increments. This rating represents how much your service-connected condition affects your ability to function and work on a daily basis. The amount of tax-free monthly compensation you receive is based entirely on this rating.
If you have more than one service-connected condition, the VA doesn’t simply add your percentages together. Instead, it uses a combined ratings formula that takes into account how each new condition affects your remaining level of functioning. As a result, your combined rating may be lower than what basic math suggests (which is why you should always seek to increase your ratings).
If you have more than one service-connected condition, keep in mind that the VA uses a combined ratings formula.
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
If you have a spouse, children, or dependent parents, your monthly compensation will be higher. Calculate it here.
In addition to federal VA compensation, Louisiana offers its own benefits that can help veterans in Bossier City maintain financial stability, including property tax exemptions and a college tuition exemption.
These state-level benefits can offer meaningful financial relief, especially when combined with your monthly VA compensation. If you believe your VA rating is too low or your condition has worsened, you may be eligible for a higher rating (and therefore more support). Our VA disability lawyers are prepared to help you obtain it.
Work with us to get your Benefits
Proving Toxic Exposure Claims
If your VA claim hinges on proving toxic exposure and linking it to your disability, you’ll need to connect your health condition to service at a location with known or suspected contamination. In the Shreveport–Bossier region, there are several military or defense facilities that have been identified as having environmental or chemical contamination concerns.
Barksdale Air Force Base, right here in Bossier City, has documented PFAS contamination from the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) in its groundwater and drinking water systems. Testing at Barksdale AFB has uncovered PFOS/PFOA levels far exceeding safety thresholds.
Camp Minden (formerly the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant ) in Webster Parish, near Bossier, was active in munitions operations from about 1942 to 1994. Starting in 1989, it was placed on the Superfund National Priorities List due to contamination of soil, sediments, and groundwater by explosives (e.g. RDX, TNT) and related waste streams. In recent years it has been investigated for PFAS contamination.
For veterans who served at either base (or others within the U.S.) and are now facing health conditions like cancer, liver disease, thyroid dysfunction, infertility, or respiratory issues, toxic exposure may be a factor. Even if the VA has denied the initial claim, there are ways to overturn the decision. These cases often require gathering environmental studies, historical service records, and expert medical opinions to demonstrate a service connection.
Hill & Ponton attorneys have experience navigating complex toxic exposure claims and can build the strongest possible appeal to win the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to review your case. You won’t pay anything unless we secure a favorable VA decision.
How to Win Your VA Disability Claim
Getting approved for VA disability benefits is all about presenting the right evidence in the right way, according to VA standards. Whether you served in combat, performed maintenance, or were stationed at a base where toxic exposure may have occurred, the VA requires that you meet three essential criteria to qualify for compensation:
- A Verified Medical Diagnosis – You must have an official, current diagnosis of your condition from a VA provider or a licensed private doctor. Without a formal diagnosis, the VA won’t move forward with your claim.
- Evidence of an In-Service Event or Exposure -You need to show that something happened during your military service that could have caused or worsened your condition, such as physical injuries, a traumatic event or contact with hazardous materials or chemicals.
- A Nexus Linking the Diagnosis to the In-Service Event – This is often the most difficult part of the claim. A medical expert must provide a professional opinion stating that your disability is more likely than not connected to your military service. This statement is often what makes or breaks a VA disability claim.
If you’re making a new claim, the Bossier Parish Department of Veterans Affairs or local organizations like the VFW can help you file the initial application. But when the VA denies your claim, or assigns a disability rating that doesn’t reflect the severity of your condition, it’s time to consider legal support from a law firm that specializes in VA disability appeals.
Hill & Ponton lawyers can gather relevant evidence, obtain a strong nexus, and fight to get your appeal approved. Tell us about your claim and let us prove what the VA might have missed.
free case evaluation
Why Choose Hill & Ponton?
Even when you have strong evidence, the VA may still overlook key details, deny your claim, or assign a lower rating than you deserve. That’s where legal representation from an experienced attorney can make a real difference. At Hill & Ponton, we’ve handled thousands of appeals and earned a 96% success rate nationwide.
- We Know the VA System Inside and Out: VA disability law is complex and always evolving. Our VA-accredited lawyers keep up with every policy change and legal update to make sure your case is built on solid legal ground, with the most current strategy available.
- We Tailor the Appeal to Your Case: Whether your best option is a Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or a Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) hearing, we’ll walk you through the process and make sure everything is filed on time and with zero mistakes.
- We Do the Heavy Lifting: From ordering your C-File to tracking down medical records and arranging nexus letters from specialists, we take care of the legwork needed for your appeal.
- We Fight for Every Dollar You Deserve: Most veterans are entitled to more benefits than they realize. We pursue increased ratings, TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability), and Special Monthly Compensation when appropriate.
Veterans with legal representation during appeals are much more likely to win than those going it alone. If your VA claim has been denied or underrated, contact us today for a free case evaluation. There are no upfront fees, and you don’t pay unless we win.
Local Resources for Veterans
Bossier City is part of a growing community in northwest Louisiana, and many of its veterans rely on local support for health care, housing, and benefits. While our legal team provides legal assistance with veterans in Bossier City, Shreveport, Benton, and surrounding areas, other services and resources are available within the county from several VA facilities:
- Bossier Parish Department of Veterans Affairs – Assists veterans and their dependents with VA claims, benefit applications, records requests, and coordination with state and federal programs. Address: 2292 Barksdale Blvd, Suite A, Bossier City, LA 71112; Phone: (318) 741‑8391
- Shreveport Vet Center – Offers confidential counseling, readjustment therapy, couples/family support, and referral services for veterans and their families. Address: 2800 Youree Drive, Shreveport, LA 71104; Phone: (318) 861‑1776
- Overton Brooks VA Medical Center – Regional VA hospital providing inpatient and outpatient care, specialty services, primary care, mental health, and more. Address: 510 East Stoner Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71101
- Knight Street VA Clinic – Outpatient VA clinic offering primary care and routine health services. Address: 3000 Knight Street, Building 5, Shreveport, LA 71105
Housing Assistance and Support for Veterans in the Bossier Parish
Local, state, and federal programs offer targeted support to veterans at risk of homelessness, including transitional housing, rent assistance, and long-term housing solutions. Veterans across the region, including those in Bossier City, Greenwood, Haughton, and surrounding communities, should connect with:
- The VA Shreveport Homeless Care Coordinator, who helps veterans access housing, job training, healthcare and support to prevent or end homelessness.
- Local Continuum of Care (CoC), coordinated through Northwest Louisiana Homeless Coalition, which ensures that veterans at risk of homelessness are quickly referred to available shelters, housing resources, and VA programs.
- Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), a federal program active in northwest Louisiana that provides short-term financial help for rent, utilities, and relocation for veterans facing eviction or homelessness.
- Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission, which offers shelter, life recovery programs, and job readiness support to veterans working toward independence.
At Hill & Ponton, we understand how housing insecurity is often made worse when veterans are denied the disability benefits they’ve earned. If you’re a veteran in the Shreveport–Bossier area and believe your claim was unfairly rated or rejected, our VA-accredited attorneys are here to help, with no upfront fees. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.