From the slopes of Mauna Kea to the shores of Hilo Bay, veterans have long been part of the Big Island’s heart and history. Many live with service-connected injuries or chronic conditions and count on VA disability benefits to help cover everyday needs. But too often, the VA makes the process harder than it should be. Claims get denied. Ratings come back too low. And without legal support, veterans are left to fight a complicated system alone.
At Hill & Ponton, we know the struggle and we’ve made it our mission to fix it. Founded by a veteran, our law firm is devoted exclusively to VA disability law. That’s all we do. We help veterans in Hilo and across the country challenge unfair decisions and secure the benefits they’ve rightfully earned.
For more than 30 years, we’ve stood by veterans, building strong appeals, gathering medical evidence, and taking on the VA one case at a time. We’re ready to do the same for you. There’s no cost to get started, and you don’t pay us anything unless we win. If you’ve been denied or underrated, let’s talk.
Our Legal Services
- Disability Compensation: We work to make sure your monthly payments match the true impact your physical or mental health conditions have on your daily life. Whether the issue began in service or worsened over time due to deployments, training, or long-term stress, we’ll fight to win fair compensation.
- VA Disability Appeals: If the VA denied your claim or gave you a rating that doesn’t reflect your condition, you’re not alone – and you’re not out of options. Our legal team guides Hilo veterans through the entire appeals process, from gathering medical evidence to pushing back on unfair decisions. We also recover any back pay you’re owed.
- Increased Compensation: If your health has gotten worse since you were rated, you may qualify for a higher disability percentage – and a bigger monthly check! We help you pursue an updated rating that reflects the full scope of your current limitations.
- Special Monthly Compensation: Some veterans need more than standard compensation. If you’re housebound, require personal assistance, or have serious conditions like loss of vision or limbs, you could be entitled to extra tax-free payments.
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability: Can’t keep a steady job because of your service-connected conditions? You might still qualify for 100% VA benefits through TDIU, even if your rating is lower on paper. We’ll fight to prove that your health makes full-time employment impossible.
- DIC and Survivor Benefits: If you lost a loved one to a service-connected illness or injury, you may be entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation and other survivor benefits. We assist spouses, parents, and children in accessing this essential VA support during an incredibly difficult time.
Disability Ratings and Compensation
When the VA reviews your disability claim, it assigns a disability rating between 10% and 100%, in 10% increments. This rating reflects how much your service-connected condition affects your everyday functioning and it directly determines your monthly compensation.
If you’re dealing with multiple service-connected conditions, the VA doesn’t just add each percentage together. Instead, it uses a combined ratings formula, which calculates how each new condition affects your remaining “non-disabled” capacity. This often results in a lower total rating than a simple sum would suggest, which can significantly impact your benefits.
Here are the standard disability compensation amounts for a single veteran with no dependents:
- 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
If you have a spouse, children, or dependent parents, your monthly payment will be higher. Rates are also adjusted annually to match the cost-of-living. You can estimate your full compensation using the VA disability calculator.
In addition to federal benefits, Hawaiʻi also offers several state benefits for disabled veterans, including property tax exemptions and tuition waivers.
Work with us to get your Benefits
Proving Toxic Exposure Claims
Hilo and the surrounding East Hawaiʻi region have long supported critical military, research, and training operations tied to the Pacific’s defense infrastructure. While these activities have contributed greatly to national security, they have also left behind a legacy of environmental hazards that may affect the health of local veterans and residents.
Military and industrial sites across Hawaiʻi Island have been identified for contamination involving PFAS chemicals, petroleum, solvents, and heavy metals. Veterans who lived, trained, or worked near these facilities could have been exposed to toxic substances now recognized by the Department of Defense and the VA as harmful to human health:
- Pōhakuloa Training Area (PTA): Located between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, this large Army training complex has a documented history of munitions use, open burn/open detonation activities, and potential heavy metal contamination. Environmental assessments have identified residues of lead, depleted uranium, and explosive compounds in certain areas. PFAS testing is ongoing due to historical use of firefighting foam.
- Hilo Harbor and Industrial Area: The harbor area has served both civilian and military purposes, including equipment storage and shipping operations. Historical petroleum and solvent use has raised concerns about groundwater contamination in nearby zones, which may have affected service members stationed or employed there.
- Keaukaha Military Reservation (Hilo Airport Area): Once used for National Guard and Army Reserve activities, this area has undergone environmental cleanup related to fuel leaks and waste disposal. PFAS and petroleum-based compounds have been found in localized soil and water testing.
- Kawaihae Military Reservation (West Hawaiʻi): Though located on the opposite side of the island, veterans who trained or were stationed there may have been exposed to fuel and chemical residues. The site has been included in state and DoD environmental reviews for petroleum and solvent contamination.
If you served at or near any of these installations, or at other military bases later found to have environmental contamination, and you now suffer from related medical conditions, you may be eligible for disability benefits. Our VA lawyers proudly serve veterans in Hilo, Pāhoa, Keaʻau, and throughout East Hawaiʻi, helping ensure that their service-connected exposures are recognized and their health conditions are fully compensated.
Meeting VA Requirements
Too many veterans in Hilo are denied VA benefits – not because they don’t qualify, but because the evidence in their claim isn’t clear or complete. The VA has strict requirements when it comes to documentation, and without the right pieces in place, even a deserving veteran can be turned away. To succeed, every VA disability claim must clearly prove three essential elements:.
- A Current Diagnosis – You need documentation from a licensed healthcare provider showing that you are currently dealing with the condition you’re claiming.
- Proof of an In-Service Event or Illness – This could include a service-related injury, illness, or toxic exposure during your time in uniform, whether it happened during training, on deployment, or at a base in Hawaiʻi or overseas. Supporting evidence can include service treatment records, unit logs, or statements from fellow service members.
- A Medical Nexus Linking Your Condition to Service – A medical expert must state that your condition is “at least as likely as not” connected to your military service. This connection, known as a nexus, is essential. Without it, the VA is likely to deny your claim, even if your diagnosis and service records are strong.
Our VA disability lawyers help Hilo veterans gather the right evidence, connect with trusted medical professionals to establish a nexus, and manage every part of the VA appeals process. Whether you served at Pōhakuloa Training Area or deployed abroad, we’re here to help you prove what the VA needs to see and fight for the benefits you’ve earned.
Tell us about your claim
Why Choose Hill & Ponton?
Life after military service can be very challenging, especially when the VA denies or underrates the benefits you’ve earned. That’s why we’re proud to serve disabled veterans throughout Hilo and the Big Island with focus, empathy, and legal precision.
Our law firm was founded by a veteran and many of our team members come from military families. We understand the sacrifices you’ve made and the unique struggles veterans face, from dealing with service-related health issues to navigating VA delays or accessing support services in a rural area.
Hill & Ponton lawyers will investigate, consult experts, and create a legal strategy tailored to your specific condition and service history. Our goal is to win the maximum rating and every dollar of compensation you’re entitled to. From Agent Orange and burn pit exposure to PTSD and hearing loss, we build strong cases that uncover every piece of medical and legal evidence needed to win your appeal.
Veterans from Hilo to Hāwī have trusted us to turn a denied claim into a life-changing outcome. With a 96% success rate for the appeals we take on, you can be confident you’re in experienced hands. Best of all, you pay nothing unless we win. If you’re tired of fighting the VA alone, reach out today for a free case evaluation. Let us serve you, just like you served all of us.
Local Resources for Veterans in the Hilo Area
While our attorneys offer legal assistance to disabled veterans in Hilo and the greater Puna District, East Hawaiʻi veterans can access VA healthcare, counseling and other critical services through local clinics and outreach programs in Hilo, Pāhoa, Keaʻau, and surrounding East Hawaiʻi Island communities.
- Hawaiʻi County Office of Veterans Services – Hilo Office: Assists veterans and their families with VA claims, benefits navigation, and referrals to other resources. Address: 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 324, Hilo, HI 96720 | Phone: 808-961-8601
- Hilo VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC): Offers primary care, labs, mental health services, and telehealth. Address: 45 Mohouli Street, Hilo, HI 96720 | Phone: 808-933-0777
- Hilo Vet Center: This satellite of the main vet center in Honolulu offers periodic outreach services for readjustment counseling, including PTSD support, counseling for military sexual trauma, and family services. Services may be available through local scheduling. Call the Honolulu Vet Center at 808-973-8387 to inquire about Hilo outreach.
Veterans’ Housing Assistance and Support
Disabled veterans in Hilo and East Hawaiʻi have access to a network of local, state, and VA-supported programs designed to prevent and end homelessness. These services include transitional housing, rental aid, and support for permanent housing.
The VA Pacific Islands Health Care System operates homeless care coordination on Hawaiʻi Island, working directly with veterans to secure stable housing, employment services, and healthcare access. Several transitional and emergency shelters in the Hilo area partner with veterans’ programs, including those supporting individuals facing eviction, domestic violence, or substance recovery.
At Hill & Ponton, we understand that veterans who are denied the disability benefits they’ve earned often face even greater barriers to stable housing. If your VA claim was denied or underrated, our experienced VA lawyers are here to support you, with no upfront fees. Reach out for a free case evaluation.