Just like military operations, winning a VA disability claim takes strategy, good timing, and support. If you’re stuck with a low rating or the VA has denied your claim, our VA‑accredited lawyers can build the necessary evidence and fight for your rightful benefits.
At Hill & Ponton, we practice veterans’ disability law exclusively and have a proven record of success in appeals. We win 96% of the cases we take on. With over 30 years of legal experience and a deep understanding of the VA system, we’re proud to serve Charleston’s veteran community with the commitment, compassion, and expertise your case deserves.
Our Legal Services for Charleston Veterans
- Disability Compensation: We assist veterans in proving that their medical conditions are directly linked to their military service, helping them qualify for monthly, tax-free VA disability payments.
- VA Appeals: If your claim was denied or you believe your rating is too low, we determine the best appeal option, whether it’s a Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Board of Veterans’ Appeals, and guide you through each step of the process.
- Rating Increases: If your condition has worsened or was underestimated by the VA, we’ll fight for a higher rating to ensure you receive the full compensation you’re entitled to.
- DIC and Survivor Benefits: We represent surviving spouses, children, and parents of veterans who passed away due to service-connected conditions, helping them apply for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and other survivor benefits.
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): Veterans with severe service-connected disabilities who need care and support beyond standard VA benefits can qualify for this higher level of compensation.
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability: If your service-connected disabilities prevent you from working, we can help you win TDIU, which pays at the 100% disability rate even if your combined rating is below 100%.
What Is the VA Looking for in a Disability Claim?
- Current Medical Diagnosis: You must have a formal diagnosis from a qualified healthcare professional.
- In-Service Event, Injury, or Illness: There needs to be documented evidence that something occurred during your military service that could have caused or contributed to your condition.
- Nexus: Medical evidence must link your current condition to that in-service event. This is often the most challenging part (and where having an experienced lawyer can make a real difference).
Claims are frequently denied due to missing medical records, weak documentation, or a failure to clearly connect symptoms to service.
Our VA-accredited attorneys focus on securing detailed evidence, working with doctors to obtain strong nexus opinions, and presenting a thoroughly documented case to give you the best possible chance at approval.
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Proving Toxic Exposure at Charleston Joint Base and Other Military Bases
Many veterans stationed at Joint Base Charleston, or other military installations in South Carolina and across the US, were unknowingly exposed to toxic chemicals, with serious health conditions (such as cancer, respiratory problems, and autoimmune disorders) often developing years later. These cases rely heavily on establishing a strong medical nexus between your illness and your time on or near a contaminated base, such as:
- Joint Base Charleston – Has documented PFAS contamination from decades of firefighting foam use during aircraft and fire training operations, with PFAS levels in nearby surface waters draining into the Ashley River reaching several thousand parts per trillion. Ongoing testing and environmental monitoring continue around the base.
- Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island – Located roughly 65 miles south of Charleston, Parris Island has been designated a Superfund site due to significant contamination from PCBs, solvents, lead, and waste disposal practices. Veterans stationed here may have been exposed through soil, groundwater, and surrounding marsh areas.
- Shaw Air Force Base – About 40 miles east of Columbia, Shaw AFB has tested positive for PFAS contamination in both on-base groundwater and nearby residential wells. Several drinking water systems in the surrounding community have exceeded EPA advisory limits, and environmental cleanup is underway.
Our lawyers can connect your service history to your diagnosis and build the medical and legal evidence needed to support your claim. We’ve helped thousands of veterans exposed to toxic hazards secure the benefits they deserve – and we’re here to help you too.
Why Should You Get a VA Disability Lawyer?
Many Charleston veterans start their VA claims journey with help from Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs). These local groups can be incredibly helpful when filing your first claim. But if your claim is denied, or if your rating doesn’t truly reflect how your condition impacts your daily life, it may be time to turn to a legal team that specializes in VA appeals. That’s where we come in.
What Does Hill & Ponton Bring?
- Dedicated VA Disability Lawyers: VA disability law is complex and constantly changing. With new legislation like the PACT Act and shifting VA procedures, it’s critical to work with attorneys who focus on disability law. Our VA-accredited lawyers stay current so you don’t have to.
- Expert Evidence Development: We help gather your medical records, request your C-file, and work with medical experts to obtain detailed nexus letters, connecting your disability to your time in service.
- The Right Appeal Path: The VA offers three appeal lanes (Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, and appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals). We’ll make the best choice for your specific situation and ensure every deadline is met.
- Increased Benefits: From higher disability ratings to Special Monthly Compensation and TDIU, our lawyers leave no stone unturned when pursuing what you’re entitled to.
Our Results Speak for Themselves
Veterans represented by experienced attorneys are significantly more likely to win their appeals. At Hill & Ponton, we win 96% of the cases we choose to handle. This success comes from our deep legal knowledge, focused advocacy, and a genuine commitment to the veterans we serve. Read their stories here or get in touch to see how we can help you win your benefits.
Disability Ratings and Compensation
The VA assigns disability ratings in 10% increments reflecting the severity of service-connected conditions. This rating determines the amount of monthly, tax-free disability compensation.
If you have more than one service-connected condition, the VA doesn’t simply add those ratings together. Instead, it uses a specific formula to calculate your combined disability rating, which often results in a total that’s lower than a straight sum. This makes it all the more important to increase your rating and maximize your benefits.
Here’s the current monthly compensation for an unmarried Charleston veteran with no dependent children or parents:
- 10%: $180.42
- 20%: $356.66
- 30%: $552.47
- 40%: $795.84
- 50%: $1,132.90
- 60%: $1,435.02
- 70%: $1,808.45
- 80%: $2,102.15
- 90%: $2,362.30
- 100%: $3,938.58
Additional compensation is available for veterans with qualifying dependents, including spouses, children, and dependent parents.
Disabled veterans living in Charleston may also qualify for South Carolina state benefits, such as property tax exemptions, education assistance, and transportation discounts.
Work with us to get your benefits
Resources for Charleston’s Disabled Veterans
Local services play a vital role in supporting disabled veterans. Charleston’s network of federal, state, and community-based resources offers access to a full spectrum of veterans services, including specialized VA healthcare, counseling services and help with disability claims.
Veteran Assistance
Charleston County Veterans Affairs: 4045 Bridge View Dr, Suite B301, North Charleston, SC 29405; Phone: 843-974‑6350
The Charleston County VA assists local veterans and their families with accessing federal, state, and county-level benefits.
Charleston Vet Center: 3625 West Montague Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29418; Phone: 843-789‑7000
Offers free counseling (without requiring enrollment in the VA health care system) and connections to VA clinics or benefits offices.
VA Healthcare
Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center: 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29401‑5799; Phone: 843‑577‑5011
North Charleston VA Clinic: 6450 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406; Phone: 843‑818‑5100
Trident VA Clinic: 9237 University Boulevard, North Charleston, SC 29406; Phone: 843‑577‑5011
Goose Creek VA Clinic: 2418 NNPTC Circle, Goose Creek, SC 29445; Phone: 843‑577‑5011
Housing Assistance for Veterans in Charleston
Charleston County offers several programs aimed at supporting homeless veterans, including the Charleston VA’s Homeless Veteran Care services that connect veterans to housing, healthcare, and employment resources, and the Lowcountry Veterans Home which provides transitional housing and life skills training for veterans working toward stability.
But veterans in Charleston facing homelessness or unstable housing often need more than shelter. They may struggle with mental health, substance abuse, lack of employment, or difficulty navigating the VA claims system. Hill & Ponton lawyers specialize in helping homeless or unemployed veterans win the benefits too often denied by the VA, with no upfront costs. Let us evaluate your situation for free.