Are you lost in the VA bureaucracy or frustrated by a denial of your disability claim? We’re here to help.
At Hill & Ponton, we’re VA-accredited attorneys who fought for veterans in Brooklyn, New York and across to U.S. to secure the VA benefits they are entitled to. Our law firm is entirely dedicated to assisting disabled veterans and their families.
If you’re struggling to overturn a VA decision or increase your disability compensation while also managing your health and employment situation, we can fight on your behalf. You don’t have to face the VA alone.
Our Legal Services for Veterans in Brooklyn
- Disability Compensation: This is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury caused or aggravated by military service.
- VA Appeals: If your disability claim has been denied, we can help you navigate the complex VA appeals process. We have extensive experience with all avenues of appeal, including Supplemental Claims, Higher-Level Reviews, and Board Appeals.
- Rating Increases: If your service-connected condition has worsened, or if you believe your initial rating was too low, we can help you file for an increased disability rating.
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): We assist surviving spouses, children, and parents of service members who died in the line of3 duty or from a service-related injury or illness.
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): SMC is a higher level of compensation paid to veterans with certain specific disabilities, such as the loss of use of a hand or foot, or who are housebound or need 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 less.
Disability Ratings and Compensation
A disability rating is a percentage assigned by the VA that represents the severity of your service-connected condition. This rating is crucial because it directly determines the amount of monthly disability compensation you will receive.
Ratings range from 0% to 100%, in 10% increments. If a veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities, the VA uses a special formula to calculate an overall combined rating. You can estimate yours with this VA disability calculator.
This is what a single Brooklyn veteran with no dependents receives:
- 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
When Should You Hire a VA Disability Lawyer?
While veterans can navigate the VA claims and appeals process on their own or with the help of a Veteran Service Officer (VSO), the expertise of a disability law firm can be invaluable for an appeal.
Attorneys are trained to understand and interpret complex VA laws and regulations, which are constantly changing. Staying current on these changes to the VA appeals process is a key part of what we do. Here’s what you’ll get with Hill & Ponton:
- In-depth Legal Knowledge: We understand the nuances of VA case law and regulations.
- Focus on Appeals: Our law firm’s primary focus is on VA appeals. This specialization means we have a deep understanding of what it takes to overturn a denial or secure a more appropriate rating.
- Strategic Case Development: Our lawyers meticulously review your case, identify weaknesses in your prior submission, and build a robust appeal designed to meet the VA’s requirements. We know what evidence to gather and how to present it effectively.
- Representation at Hearings: If your appeal goes to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA), we can represent you at hearings.
- Proven Track Record: Hill & Ponton has a very high success rate (96%) for the cases we accept. We are selective about the cases we take, ensuring we can genuinely help the disabled veterans we represent. Read our clients’ stories to find out more about our work and its impact on veterans’ lives.
What It Takes to Get VA Disability
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are over 65,000 veterans living in Brooklyn (Kings County). Many could be missing out on benefits due to not meeting the requirements for VA disability:
- Current Diagnosis – You must have a current medical diagnosis of a disability.
- In-Service Event, Injury, or Illness – There must be evidence of an event, injury, or illness that occurred during your military service.
- Medical Nexus – There must be a medical link connecting your current disability to the in-service event, injury, or illness. This is often established through a medical opinion.
Most denials occur due to insufficient medical evidence, a failure to prove the nexus, or administrative errors. A disability lawyer can help fix these shortcomings and successfully appeal the VA decision to get an approval.
Get help with your appeal
Winning Toxic Exposure Claims
A significant factor in many VA claims today is toxic exposure – from burn pits, Agent Orange, TCE, PFAS, jet fuel, etc. Veterans currently living in Brooklyn may have been exposed to hazardous materials during their service at various locations, including some military bases in the New York area.
Brooklyn itself hosts the only active-duty military post in New York City: Fort Hamilton. This facility is connected to the community of existing veterans in the surrounding areas like Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, and Bensonhurst, and serves as a vital support base for the Army, National Guard, Reserves, and other military personnel and their families in the region.
According to EPA data, Fort Hamilton is listed as a Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) site due to past contamination. While remediation efforts have been ongoing, many veterans who served or lived at Fort Hamilton could have health issues related to groundwater contamination and hazardous materials.
Brooklyn veterans may have also served at Coast Guard Sector New York in Staten Island. Coast Guard bases and vessels can have their own exposure risks, including asbestos on older cutters, lead paint, and various chemicals used in maintenance and operations. Veterans who were at Sector New York or on its vessels should document any potential exposures.
Other National Guard and Reserve Units in the region could have toxic exposure concerns related to specific military occupational specialties or training environments.
Veterans from Brooklyn who believe their health conditions are linked to service at these or any other military installations should seek assistance from disability lawyers experienced in handling such complex claims. Hill & Ponton can help you gather the necessary evidence and build a strong case for the benefits you deserve.
Resources for Veterans in Brooklyn, NY
The VA offers numerous resources to support disabled veterans in Brooklyn, NY, from help filing initial claims to financial assistance, counseling and healthcare.
Veteran assistance
NYC Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS): Offers a range of services including employment assistance, housing support, mental wellness programs, and helps connect veterans to city and federal resources. They have satellite offices and staff accessible to Brooklyn residents. Their VetConnectNYC program is a valuable tool for finding resources.
New York VA Regional Office (RO): 245 West Houston Street, New York, NY 10014. This Regional Office serves veterans in New York, including Brooklyn. Most interaction is now online or via phone (800-827-1000), but this is the physical office responsible for processing Brooklyn veterans’ claims for disability compensation, pension, education benefits, home loans, and more.
VA Healthcare
VA New York Harbor Healthcare System – Brooklyn Campus: 800 Poly Place, Brooklyn, NY 11209. This is a major medical center offering primary care, specialty care, mental health services, surgical services, and more, which are vital for documenting and managing service-connected disabilities.
Brooklyn Vet Center: 25 Chapel St, Suite 1104, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Provides readjustment counseling for combat veterans and their families, military sexual trauma counseling, and bereavement counseling.
St. Albans Community Living Center and Domiciliary (Queens): 179-00 Linden Blvd, Queens, NY 11425. While primarily a residential facility, it offers some outpatient services and is part of the NY Harbor Healthcare System.
Homeless Veteran Support in Brooklyn and NYC
New York City has had great success in eliminating chronic homelessness – from 2011 to 2022, the total number of homeless veterans was reduced by 90%. But homelessness is still a risk for Brooklyn veterans suffering from physical and mental health conditions that prevent them from keeping a job or maintaining relationships.
At Hill & Ponton, we specialize in helping veterans who struggle with housing insecurity or lack gainful employment. If you’re a disabled veteran living in Brooklyn who’s been denied or underrated by the VA, contact our New York disability lawyers for a free case evaluation.