If you’re a Chicago veteran seeking disability benefits, Hill & Ponton is here to stand with you. We are VA-accredited attorneys who have successfully fought for thousands of disabled veterans nationwide, including many in the Chicago area, to help them secure the benefits they rightfully earned.
Our firm was founded by a veteran and focuses exclusively on disability law. Our expertise lies in navigating the complexities of the VA appeals system after a denial or an unsatisfactory rating.
Our Legal Services for Chicago Veterans
Our experienced attorneys are dedicated to helping Chicago veterans with a range of VA disability matters. We understand the sacrifices you’ve made, and we’re committed to fighting for the benefits you deserve.
- Appeals: If your VA disability claim has been denied, or you disagree with the VA’s decision, we can help you file an appeal. We are well-versed in the VA’s complex appeals process and can build a strong case on your behalf.
- Increased Ratings: If your service-connected condition has worsened, or if you believe your initial rating was too low, we can assist you in seeking an increased disability rating.
- Disability Compensation: This is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service.
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): We can assist surviving spouses, children, or parents of service members who died in the line of duty or from a service-related injury or illness.
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): SMC is an additional tax-free benefit that can be paid to veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses, and parents for special circumstances such as the need for aid and attendance by another person or by a specific disability, such as loss of use of one hand or leg.
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU): If your service-connected disabilities prevent you from being able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, you may be eligible for TDIU, which pays at the 100% disability rate, even if your combined rating is less.
Winning Your Case
Many Chicago veterans initially see their VA disability claims denied. This can happen for various reasons, such as insufficient medical evidence, a missing link between your condition and your military service, or incomplete paperwork. It’s a frustrating experience, but a denial is not the end of the road.
What Does the VA Require?
- A current diagnosis: You must have a current medical diagnosis of a disability.
- An in-service event, injury, or illness: There must be evidence of an event, injury, or illness that occurred while you were serving.
- A medical nexus: A medical professional must provide an opinion linking your current diagnosed disability to the in-service event, injury, or illness.
The nexus is the cornerstone of a successful VA disability claim. But it’s also the most difficult element, particularly particularly for cases involving toxic exposure where health problems make take years to manifest.
Hill & Ponton lawyers have extensive experience in gathering the necessary evidence and presenting it effectively to the VA to satisfy its requirements for obtaining disability benefits.
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Proving Toxic Exposure at Military Bases Near Chicago
Several military bases in Illinois are known to have been contaminated with PFAS, the “forever chemicals” linked to diseases like kidney cancer, testicular cancer and prostate cancer:
- Naval Station Great Lakes (North Chicago, IL): Located about 35 miles north of downtown Chicago, it is the U.S. Navy’s largest training facility and its only boot camp. Operational since 1911, this major Navy training base has documented high levels of PFAS contamination from firefighting foam (AFFF).
- Rock Island Arsenal (Rock Island, IL): A critical U.S. Army installation located on an island in the Mississippi River, it’s a major manufacturing hub and home to the First Army Headquarters. It is being investigated for PFAS contamination.
- Scott Air Force Base (St. Clair County, IL): Located in southern Illinois near Belleville, it’s a major Air Mobility Command base and hosts U.S. Transportation Command.
Toxic chemicals were identified at many other military facilities across the U.S. Veterans who served in various locations could have also have been exposed to toxins from burn pits, Agent Orange or other hazardous materials.
If you believe your health condition is related to exposure during military service, even if you served far from Chicago, Hill & Ponton may be able to help you get compensation.
When Should You Get a VA Disability Lawyer?
While you can navigate the VA claims process on your own or with the help of a Veterans Service Officer (VSO), the expertise of a VA-accredited attorney can be invaluable for an appeal.
When a claim is denied, the VA made an error, or if you’re facing a complex appeal, an attorney specializing in VA law offers a different level of assistance. VA law is intricate, and procedural and regulatory changes occur. Staying current with these is vital.
Benefits of Working with Hill & Ponton for Your Appeal
- Focused Expertise: We concentrate on VA disability appeals, meaning we have in-depth knowledge of the nuances of the system, including the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC).
- Resource Intensive: Appeals often require significant legal research, evidence gathering (including medical opinions), and strategic brief writing, which our firm is equipped to handle.
- Objective Analysis: We provide an objective, experienced legal perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of your case and how best to proceed.
- No Fee Unless We Win: Hill & Ponton typically works on a contingency fee basis for appeals, meaning you don’t pay attorney fees unless we successfully resolve your appeal.
What Is the Success Rate of Chicago VA Disability Attorneys?
Success rates can vary greatly, with experienced law firms often making a significant difference in the outcome of cases. Hill & Ponton has a success rate of 96% in the cases we take on nationwide. We bring this same dedication and expertise to every Chicago veteran we represent.
Our focus is on appeals, where the stakes are often higher and the cases more complex. Our track record reflects a commitment to thoroughly preparing each case and advocating vigorously for our clients. We have helped numerous veterans in Chicago and across Illinois achieve favorable outcomes in their appeals.
Disability Ratings and Compensation
A disability rating is a percentage assigned by the VA to a service-connected disability, ranging from 0% to 100% in 10% increments. This rating reflects the severity of your condition and directly determines the amount of monthly tax-free disability compensation you will receive.
If you have multiple service-connected disabilities, the VA uses a “Combined Ratings Table” to calculate your overall combined disability rating. This isn’t simple addition; it’s a formula designed to reflect the overall impact on your health and ability to work.
To get an estimate of your potential benefits based on your rating, check out our VA disability calculator.
Here’s what a single veteran with no dependents currently receives, based on the disability rating percentage:
- 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
In addition to disability compensation, Chicago veterans also receive federal VA benefits and Illinois state benefits.
Work with us to get your benefits
Resources for Chicago Veterans
Beyond legal assistance, numerous state resources are available to support the more than 77,000 veterans in the Chicago area.
Veteran Assistance
Chicago Regional Office: 2122 W Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612. Phone: 800-827-1000
Chicago Vet Center: 8658 South Sacramento Avenue, Chicago, IL 60652. Phone: 773-962-3740
Chicago Heights Vet Center: 1010 Dixie Highway, 2nd Floor, Chicago Heights, IL 60411. Phone: 708-754-8885
City of Chicago Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs (MOVA): MOVA is dedicated to improving the day-to-day experiences of Chicago’s veterans and their families. Learn more.
Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County: Funded by Cook County and independent of the VA, it provides emergency and interim financial assistance for essential needs such as food, shelter, and utilities to veterans in Cook County. Address: Cook County Juvenile Detention Center
1100 S. Hamilton C-O11 (Lower Level), Chicago, IL 60612. Phone: 312-433-6010
VA Healthcare
Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center: Provides primary and specialty care, acute care, mental health services, and more. Address: 820 South Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612. Main phone: 312-569-8387
Auburn Gresham VA Clinic: 7731 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60620-2412. Phone: 773-962-3700
Chicago Heights VA Clinic: 211 Dixie Highway, Suite 4, Chicago Heights, IL 60411-1696. Phone: 708-754-8880
Chicago VA Clinic (at the Community Resource & Referral Center – CRRC): 1141 South California Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612-9998. Phone: 312-569-5750
Lakeside VA Clinic: 211 East Ontario Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60611-3276. Phone: 312-469-4850
Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center: 3001 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064-3048. Phone: 847-688-1900
Housing Assistance & Support for Chicago Veterans
Stable housing is fundamental. Unfortunately, veteran homelessness has been a persistent issue, particularly in major cities. As of 2024, an estimated 0.22% of all U.S. veterans experienced homelessness.
Chicago and Cook County offer several resources to assist local veterans facing homelessness, including HUD rental assistance for homeless veterans with VA case management and clinical services and emergency financial assistance to honorably discharged veterans and their dependents to cover rent/mortgage and utilities.
At Hill & Ponton, we specialize in helping veterans struggling with housing insecurity or whose disabilities make it difficult to keep a job. If you’re a disabled veteran who’s been denied or underrated by the VA, contact our VA lawyers today for a free case evaluation.