If you’re a disabled veteran in Hinesville facing a denied claim or struggling to navigate the appeals process, you deserve trusted legal support. At Hill & Ponton, we specialize in disability law and bring over 30 years of legal expertise, compassion and dedication to help you win your rightful benefits.

Our VA-accredited lawyers specialize in appealing denials and seeking increases when your condition has worsened or was initially underrated. We know what can impact your VA claim and make it our mission to assist you in achieving the highest possible disability rating and the compensation you deserve.

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  • Disability Compensation: We help prove that their medical conditions were caused or worsened by military service. If approved, you’ll receive monthly tax-free payments based on your disability rating.
  • VA Appeals: If your VA claim was denied, we can handle the appeals process, whether it’s a Supplemental Claim, a Higher-Level Review, or a Board of Veterans’ Appeals request or hearing.
  • Disability Rating Increases: If you were underrated by the VA, or your service-connected condition got worse, we help you pursue a higher disability rating to ensure your monthly benefits reflect your current level of impairment.
  • Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): Surviving spouses, children, or parents of a service member who died in service or from a service-related condition may qualify for DIC and other death benefits. Our lawyers can assist you in obtaining them.
  • Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): For veterans with severe service-connected disabilities (especially those needing daily assistance), SMC may provide additional financial support. We help determine if you qualify and pursue the compensation you deserve.
  • Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU): If your disabilities prevent you from holding steady employment, you may qualify for TDIU. This benefit pays at the 100% disability rate, even if your combined rating is lower.

What Does It Take to Win a VA Disability Claim?

When evaluating a claim or appeal, the VA looks for several key requirements:

  1. Current Medical Diagnosis: You must have a diagnosis from a licensed healthcare provider.
  2. In-Service Incident or Illness: You need to show that an event, injury, or illness occurred during your time in the military.
  3. Medical Nexus: A medical link must connect your current condition to the in-service event. This is usually the toughest part (and where legal representation can make a big difference). 

Missing medical records, lack of strong evidence, or unclear connections between service and symptoms are among the most common reasons for denial.

Our experienced VA-accredited attorneys work to gather solid medical evidence, obtain professional medical nexus opinions, and build the strongest case possible for approval. 

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Proving Toxic Exposure Claims

Hinesville sits next to one of Georgia’s most prominent military installations (Fort Stewart), and within driving distance of several others that have raised environmental health concerns over the years. If you served at any of the following bases, you may have been exposed to dangerous chemicals such as PFAS, TCE, fuel contaminants, or other hazardous materials.

  • Fort Stewart : This Army base, home to the 3rd Infantry Division, has a long operational history, with various industrial, fuel, and waste storage activities over the decades. It was found to have been contaminated with PFAS.
  • Hunter Army Airfield: Located near Savannah, GA, only 40 miles from Hinesville, Hunter Army Airfield supports Fort Stewart’s rapid deployment capabilities. Past operations involving aircraft maintenance, fuel storage, and chemical usage raise contamination concerns, including PFAS and TCE.
  • Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany: Roughly 120 miles from Hinesville, this facility supports the repair and maintenance of military equipment. Veterans serving here may have been exposed to lead, heavy metals, PCBs, benzene, arsenic and more.
  • Robins Air Force Base: About 150 miles from Hinesville, in Warner Robins, GA, Robins AFB has a documented history of environmental contamination. It was designated a Superfund cleanup location due to chemicals like TCE, PCE, and benzene found in soil and groundwater. It is currently being investigated for PFAS.

Many veterans were unknowingly exposed to harmful substances during their service, with serious health issues only appearing years, or even decades, later. These cases often hinge on establishing a clear medical nexus between your current condition and your time on or near contaminated bases.

If you served at any of these bases (or others in Georgia and elsewhere) and have been diagnosed with conditions such as cancer, respiratory illnesses, liver or kidney problems, or autoimmune disorders, you may be entitled to VA disability benefits.

We can help you build a strong case by connecting your service history to your diagnosis and obtaining the medical evidence needed to support your claim. At Hill & Ponton, we’ve helped thousands of veterans exposed to toxic hazards get the benefits they deserve. Let us assist you, too.

Get Help with Your Toxic Exposure Claim

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When Should You Get a VA Disability Lawyer?

Many veterans in Hinesville begin the claims process with help from Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs). These groups do great work and can be especially helpful when filing an initial claim. But if your case gets denied, or you receive a rating that doesn’t reflect the severity of your condition, you may need a skilled lawyer to successfully navigate the appeals process.

Benefits of Working with Our Lawyers for Your Appeal

  • Your Own Experienced VA Appeal Lawyer: VA disability regulations are complex and constantly changing, especially with major updates like the PACT Act. Our VA-accredited attorneys stay current with these legal shifts to give your appeal the best chance of success.
  • Thorough Evidence Development: We know how to locate missing documentation, retrieve your VA claims file (C-file), and work with medical professionals to get strong nexus letters that link your condition to your service.
  • The Right Type of Appeal: The modern appeals system gives veterans multiple options: Supplemental Claims, Higher-Level Reviews, and Board Appeals. We help you choose the path that fits your situation and meet all deadlines.
  • Maximizing Your Benefits: Whether you’re eligible for a rating increase, Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), or Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), our legal team fights to ensure you get every benefit you’re entitled to.

What Is the Success Rate of VA Disability Attorneys?

Veterans who work with qualified legal advocates or VSOs statistically win more cases than those who go it alone. At Hill & Ponton, we’re proud of our 96% success rate in the cases we take nationwide.

This extraordinary track record reflects our deep understanding of VA law, meticulous case preparation, and unwavering commitment to our clients. Read the stories of the veterans we’ve helped.

Ratings and Compensation

The VA assigns disability ratings in 10% increments based on the severity of your service-connected condition. This rating determines the amount of monthly, tax-free compensation you receive.

If you have more than one service-connected condition, the VA doesn’t simply add the percentages together. Instead, it uses a complex formula to calculate a combined disability rating.

Here’s what a Hinesville veteran who is unmarried and has no dependent children or parents currently receives, based on the disability rating percentage:

  • 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

Extra amounts are given to veterans with dependents (use our VA disability calculator to estimate your compensation).

In addition to disability compensation, Hinesville veterans also receive other federal VA benefits and Georgia state benefits.

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Resources for Veterans in Hinesville, Georgia

Hinesville has a strong veteran community supported by various resources. While we handle the legal aspects of your VA disability appeal, we also want to ensure you are aware of other valuable support systems available in the area.

Hinesville VA Offices

Hinesville VA Regional Benefit Office (Veterans Field Service Office): Located inside the Hinesville VA Community‑Based Outpatient Clinic, Room C‑127, 500 East Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, GA 31313.
Serves veterans in Liberty and Bryan counties. Available Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Main Contacts: Dennis Boothe – (912) 408‑2900 ext. 352750; Aneesa Sparks – ext. 2948

Georgia Department of Veterans Service (Fort Stewart Office):
Building 621, Room 216, 972 William Wilson Avenue, Fort Stewart, GA 31314
Main Contact: Roderick Gray – (571) 801‑3798
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (walk-ins accepted)

Veterans Benefits Office (Soldier Service Center): Building 253, 55 Pony Soldier Road, Fort Stewart, GA 31314; Phone: (912) 368‑6950

Healthcare & Assistance

Savannah Vet Center: 5717 White Bluff Road, Student Enrichment Center at Savannah Technical College, Savannah, GA 31405 | Main phone: 912-961-5800

John Gibson, Dan James, William Sapp, and Frankie Smiley VA Clinic (Ralph H. Johnson CBOC): Located at 500 East Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, GA 31313. Main phone: (912) 408‑2900. Offers a variety of services, including primary care, mental health, women’s health, radiology, PTSD treatment, and more

Nearby full-service VA Medical Centers serving Hinesville-area veterans include:

  • Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin, GA
  • Atlanta VA Medical Center in Decatur, GA
  • Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, GA

Housing Assistance and Support for Veterans in Hinesville, Georgia

If you’re a veteran in Hinesville facing housing instability, start by contacting your nearest VA clinic to explore HUD‑VASH or SSVF eligibility. For housing options, apply through the Hinesville Housing Authority or reach out to local programs like the Hinesville Homeless Prevention Program.

At Hill & Ponton, we specialize in legal representation for veterans at risk of homelessness or unemployment. If you’re a disabled veteran who’s been denied or underrated, contact our disability lawyers today for a free case evaluation. You don’t have to fight the VA on your own – we’ll be with you every step of the way.

VA Disability Attorneys and professionals dedicated to championing veterans in Hinesville and nationwide.

Let Us Fight For Your Benefits

Need help appealing a VA decision? Contact our disability lawyers for a free evaluation of your claim.