Hill & Ponton was founded by a veteran, so we have a tremendous amount of compassion for individuals who served their country and need help getting their VA disability claims approved.
Because we focus on helping veterans, we have a 96% success rate.
The VA claims process is complex, so you may be entitled to benefits you’re not receiving. Some veterans even qualify for additional resources, making it critical to work with experienced VA disability lawyers in Florida.
We’re VA-accredited attorneys who have fought for countless disabled veterans in Florida and thousands more nationwide to help them get the benefits they’re entitled to. We’d be honored to do the same for you.
Filing an initial claim is the first step in the process. If this claim is denied, you can file an appeal. In some cases, a claim is approved, but a veteran’s condition gets worse over time. If this happens, you can file for an increase in your compensation.
We focus on appeals and increases, ensuring that veterans get the benefits they deserve.
Legal Services Provided by VA Disability Lawyers in Florida
- Benefits for veterans: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a variety of benefits to veterans, including monthly tax-free payments for those with service-connected disabilities. Our VA disability lawyers in Florida can help you understand your eligibility.
- Benefits for families: Veterans’ family members may qualify for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) from the VA.
- PACT Act claims: The PACT Act made additional benefits available to veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service. A VA lawyer in Florida can help you determine if you qualify.
- VA disability appeals: If the VA denies your initial claim, a Florida VA disability lawyer can help you prepare an appeal.
- Disability increases: Over time, your symptoms may become more severe, making it more difficult to earn a living. A disability lawyer in Florida can help you file for an increase.
Benefits for Veterans in Florida
Florida offers the following benefits to residents who served in the military:
- Operation Outdoor Freedom: Operation Outdoor Freedom offers unique recreational opportunities to veterans with a disability rating of 30% or higher.
- Hometown Heroes Housing Program: Hometown Heroes offers down payment and closing cost assistance to veterans in 50 professions designated as “critical” to the state, such as law enforcement, teaching and firefighting.
- Salute Our Soldiers: Salute Our Soldiers gives Florida veterans access to down payment assistance and lower interest rates on home loans.
- Veterans’ homes: Florida has nine veterans’ homes, increasing access to affordable long-term care.
- Tuition waivers: State community colleges and universities must waive undergraduate tuition for veterans who earn a Purple Heart or other qualifying combat decoration.
- Educational fee waivers: Institutions that belong to Florida Colleges and Schools must waive fees that aren’t covered by the Department of Defense Military Tuition Assistance program, including technology fees, financial aid fees, and activity fees.
- Property tax exemptions: Veterans have access to an additional homestead exemption, reducing their property tax liability.
- Professional license reciprocity: If you have a professional license in another state, Florida may issue an equivalent license without requiring you to take an exam or complete additional training requirements.
- Discounts at state parks: The Florida Park Service offers free lifetime entrance passes to veterans with service-connected disabilities.
- Discounts at county parks: Veterans qualify for free or reduced-cost passes to county parks throughout Florida
Disability Ratings and Compensation
The amount of compensation you receive depends on your disability rating, a percentage corresponding to the extent of your condition. Under the VA rating system, 100% represents a “whole efficient person.” The more a disability affects you, the higher your rating is likely to be. For example, someone with a condition affecting both legs is likely to have a higher rating than someone with a condition that affects just one leg.
You can use our disability calculator to estimate your monthly benefit. Assuming you’re married and have no dependent children or parents, here’s how much you might receive based on each rating:
- 10%: $175.51
- 20%: $$346.95
- 30%: $601.42
- 40%: $859.16
- 50%: $1,208.04
- 60%: $1,523.93
- 70%: $1,908.19
- 80%: $2,214.89
- 90%: $2,489.96
- 100%: $4,044.91
When Should I Get a VA Disability Lawyer?
You aren’t required to have a VA disability lawyer in Florida. You can fill out the paperwork and gather supporting documentation on your own. However, it’s helpful to have an experienced legal professional to help you avoid common missteps. The VA recently changed its disability claim process, so you need to be aware of the changes.
Our VA disability claim lawyers in Florida stay current with the guidelines, giving you access to professional advice tailored to your unique situation. This makes it helpful to hire an attorney to handle your initial claim.
It’s even more important to hire an attorney to guide you through the appeals process. The VA denies a significant percentage of initial claims, leaving veterans frustrated and wondering if it’s even worth it to appeal. Experienced Florida disability lawyers know how to review denied claims, identify missing information, and gather additional evidence.
Successful Claims and Appeals
It’s common for the VA to deny claims based on missed deadlines and incomplete forms. VA disability lawyers in Florida can help you avoid these errors. The claims process includes these steps:
- Submit your initial claim.
- File a supplemental claim if you have new evidence to provide.
- Request a higher-level review if you believe the original reviewer made an error.
- Take your appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
- Ask the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to hear your case if you disagree with the decision made by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
The VA also denies many claims due to a lack of nexus, which is a clear connection between your military service and your disabling condition.
The Importance of Your Nexus
You generally need to prove that your disability is connected to your military service, or you won’t qualify for VA disability benefits. There’s one important exception. Many Florida veterans have been exposed to toxic substances, such as Agent Orange and the pollutants found in smoke from burn pits.
If your claim relates to toxic exposure, you may have a presumptive disability, which is a disability that the VA automatically assumes is related to your service.
What the VA Looks for in a Disability Claim
- Service records: You must provide a copy of your separation papers.
- Treatment records: If you received treatment for your condition before retiring, you must submit your treatment records.
- Evidence of disability: The VA looks for evidence that you currently have a disability. You can’t get disability payments for an acute injury that was resolved months or years ago. Evidence may come in the form of lab tests, X-rays, medical reports, and/or written testimony from your family members.
- Nexus letter: The VA needs your doctor to write a Nexus letter detailing how your condition relates to your military service.
Resources for Florida Veterans
Florida’s VA Services
The Veterans Benefits Administration is the agency responsible for providing financial assistance to eligible veterans. This includes managing VA disability claims.
VA healthcare facilities provide health benefits to eligible veterans. Florida has two VA health systems, seven VA hospitals and more than 40 community-based outpatient clinics. Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs operates 26 vet centers throughout the Sunshine State.
Veterans can also access support at the military bases in Florida:
- Avon Park Air Force Range
- Cape Canaveral Air Station
- Eglin AFB
- Homestead AFB
- Hurlburt Field
- Jacksonville Naval Complex
- MacDill AFB
- NAS Mayport Station
- Naval Air Station, Cecil Field
- Naval Air Station, Key West
- Naval Training Center, Orlando
- North Hyde Park Training Site
- Patrick AFB
- Pensacola Naval Complex
- Tyndall AFB
- US Air Force Eastern Test Range
- Whiting Field Naval Air Station
Veterans Organizations
The VA is just one of many resources available to veterans in Florida. You may also be eligible for services provided by these nonprofits:
- Florida Veterans Foundation: FVF helps Florida veterans understand and access the many benefits available to them.
- Gary Sinise Foundation (Florida Chapter): The Gary Sinise Foundation has a Florida chapter dedicated to helping veterans build resilience. One program provides home modifications and assistive devices to veterans with service-connected disabilities, while others focus on education and outreach.
- Wounded Veterans Relief Fund: The Wounded Veterans Relief Fund provides financial assistance to veterans who need help with unexpected expenses.
Florida Veterans Associations and Social Clubs
The VA is just one of many resources available to veterans in Florida. You may also be eligible for services provided by these nonprofits:
How Do I Get Help With VA Claims in Florida?
If you need help with a VA disability claim in Florida, you have several options. Several state agencies and nonprofit organizations offer assistance to veterans, but you can also hire an attorney to guide you through the process.
VA disability lawyers in Florida have extensive experience analyzing claims, determining why they were denied and developing an effective appeals strategy. Who is best to help with a VA claim depends on the extent of your disability, your level of comfort with the paperwork and whether you’re filing an initial claim or an appeal.