VA Disability Lawyers Proudly Serving Cleveland Veterans

Our Legal Services for Cleveland Veterans

Many veterans in the Cleveland area and across the nation may not be receiving the full benefits they are entitled to. Our experienced attorneys can assist you with:  

• Appeals: We assist Cleveland veterans in obtaining tax-free monthly disability compensation for injuries or diseases incurred or aggravated during active military service. If your VA disability claim has been denied, we are here to help. Our attorneys understand the appeals process and can build a strong case to challenge the VA’s decision.
• Increases: If your service-connected condition has worsened, or if you believe your initial rating did not accurately reflect the severity of your disability, we can help you file for an increased rating. Securing a higher disability rating can lead to increased monthly compensation and access to additional VA benefits.
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): We offer compassionate assistance to surviving spouses, children, and dependent parents of veterans who died from a service-related injury or disease. DIC benefits can provide crucial financial support.
• Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): Veterans with severe disabilities may qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), with higher payments than regular VA disability.
• Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU): If your service-connected disabilities prevent you from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may be eligible for TDIU benefits, which compensate you at the 100% disability rate even if your rating is lower. 

When Should You Hire a VA Disability Lawyer?

While helpful for filing initial claims, Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) may not have the same legal expertise or resources as a dedicated disability law firm. An experienced lawyer can make a significant difference when appealing a denial or trying to obtain increased compensation or additional benefits. The benefits of hiring a Hill & Ponton lawyer include:

• Navigating the Process: The VA appeals system has specific rules, deadlines, and evidence requirements. Attorneys specializing in VA law understand these intricacies and can handle everything on your behalf.
• Developing Evidence: Lawyers can help identify what evidence is needed, assist in obtaining medical opinions, and ensure your case is presented as strongly as possible.
• Legal Arguments: Attorneys can craft persuasive legal arguments and represent you before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals if necessary.
• Staying Current: VA laws and regulations change. Experienced lawyers stay current on these changes, which can impact your appeal strategy.

Was Your VA Claim Denied?

Claims can be denied for various reasons, often boiling down to not following the application process correctly or missing evidence. Common reasons include:

• Filing for a condition that is not considered service-connected
• Incomplete or improperly filled out application forms
• Missed deadlines for submitting evidence or filing an appeal
• Not meeting the VA’s eligibility criteria for a specific benefit
• Submitting insufficient evidence in one or more key areas

There are three elements that form the basis of a winning claim – and failing to prove any one of them will lead to a denial.

1. A Current Diagnosis: You must have a current medical diagnosis for the condition you are claiming.
2. An In-Service Event, Injury, or Illness: There must be evidence of an event, injury, or illness that occurred during your military service.
3. The Nexus: Crucially, there must be a medical link, or “nexus,” connecting your current diagnosed condition to the in-service event, injury, or illness. A strong nexus is obtained through medical opinions from healthcare providers who review your service medical records and current medical history and provide a statement that your condition is “at least as likely as not” related to your service.

Our lawyers can help you gather the required evidence to establish the link between your disability and military service, handle the appeal and successfully argue your case for compensation.

Winning VA Disability for Toxic Exposure During Military Service

Establishing a strong medical nexus is often the most challenging part of a VA disability claim or appeal. This is especially true for conditions that may have developed years after service or those linked to environmental hazards and toxic exposures.

Many veterans who served in various locations, including those now residing in Cleveland, may have been exposed to harmful substances during their military service. If you served in an area with known toxic contamination and developed related health conditions, our VA lawyers can help you win disability benefits.

Do Cleveland Military Facilities Have Toxic Exposure?

While Cleveland is not home to large active-duty military bases, it has a notable military and veteran presence. Facilities include:

• US Army Recruiting Battalion – Cleveland: Plays a key role in recruiting future soldiers from Northeast Ohio.
• Ohio National Guard and Reserve Units: Numerous National Guard and Reserve units are located throughout Northeast Ohio. These units contribute significantly to both federal and state missions and are an integral part of the local veteran community. Facilities may include armories and readiness centers.
• Coast Guard Sector Buffalo – Station Cleveland Harbor: While primarily focused on maritime safety and security on Lake Erie, the U.S. Coast Guard has a presence in Cleveland.

There are no major toxic exposure sites directly linked to these specific Cleveland-area facilities. However, veterans residing in Cleveland may have served at numerous other bases or locations worldwide where they could have encountered toxic substances. Hill & Ponton can help investigate exposure history regardless of where it occurred during your service if you now live in the Cleveland area.