Honolulu is home to thousands of veterans, many of whom depend on VA disability benefits to help cover health care, living expenses, and family support. But too often, the VA denies or underrates claims when veterans don’t have the resources or legal knowledge to push back.
At Hill & Ponton, VA disability law isn’t just part of what we do, it’s all we do. Founded by a veteran, our firm is committed to helping disabled veterans challenge denials and secure the ratings they deserve. We understand how complex and opaque the VA system can be and we also know how deeply its decisions affect your health, your finances, and your family’s stability.
We have successfully represented disabled veterans across the country for over 30 years, and we’re proud to stand with the veterans of O’ahu. You pay no upfront costs, and there’s no fee unless we win your appeal. Tell us about your claim, and let us put our decades of experience to work for you.
Our Legal Services
- Disability Compensation: We help Honolulu veterans secure the maximum monthly compensation for physical injuries or mental health conditions tied to their military service. Whether your disability began during active duty or was made worse by deployments or job-related stress, we’ll fight to make sure your rating reflects the full impact on your life.
- VA Disability Appeals: If your VA claim has been denied or underrated, you’re not alone. We guide veterans through every step of the appeals process, focusing on overturning unjust decisions and recovering any back pay you’re rightfully owed.
- Increased Compensation: Has your condition worsened over time? You may qualify for a higher disability rating and larger monthly payments. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, mental health issues, or new complications, we’ll work to update your rating to match your current limitations.
- Special Monthly Compensation: Veterans who are housebound, need help with daily activities, or suffer from severe conditions like blindness or limb loss may qualify for additional tax-free payments. Our lawyers assist the veterans seeking this critical support.
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability: Even if your current rating is below 100%, you may still qualify for full VA benefits through TDIU if your service-connected conditions prevent you from holding a job.
- DIC and Survivor Benefits: If your loved one passed away due to a service-connected condition, you may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and other survivor benefits. We help spouses, children, and parents access the VA support they deserve.
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%: $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
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
Oʻahu has played a central role in U.S. military operations for over a century, hosting multiple major installations that support aviation, naval, and joint force missions. However, decades of military activity on the island have left a legacy of environmental contamination, potentially exposing veterans to hazardous substances that are now known to cause serious, chronic health conditions.
Common contaminants include PFAS from firefighting foam, petroleum-based solvents and degreasers, heavy metals from munitions and waste, and other industrial chemicals used in operations and maintenance. Military bases across Oʻahu have been identified for environmental testing and toxic exposure concerns:
- Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH): This large Navy and Air Force installation has a long history of fuel storage and disposal issues. Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, in particular, has been the focus of national attention due to fuel leaks impacting the island’s groundwater. The site has been flagged for PFAS contamination and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from decades of military use.
- Schofield Barracks: A major Army post in central Oʻahu, Schofield has undergone environmental cleanup related to pesticides, heavy metals, and fuel-related contamination. Groundwater monitoring has been conducted in coordination with the EPA and the Hawaii Department of Health.
- Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi (MCBH) – Kāneʻohe Bay: Identified by the Department of Defense as a site of PFAS concern, MCBH has used firefighting foams near airfields and maintenance areas. Environmental assessments are underway to determine the presence of PFAS in groundwater and soil.
- Wheeler Army Airfield: Adjacent to Schofield Barracks, Wheeler has a history of industrial use and aircraft maintenance. Past and ongoing environmental investigations include PFAS testing, VOCs, and heavy metal presence.
If you served at or near any of these Oʻahu-based military facilities (or at any other U.S. base later found to be contaminated) and developed a related medical condition, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits under current regulations.
Our legal team proudly represents veterans throughout Honolulu, Kapolei, Kāneʻohe, Wahiawā, and other Oʻahu communities, helping ensure that their exposure is recognized and their service-connected health issues are fully addressed. Even if your claim was previously denied, updated VA policies and emerging scientific evidence may now qualify you for compensation. Contact us today to discuss your case.
Meeting VA Requirements
Many veterans in Honolulu are denied VA disability benefits – not because they’re undeserving, but because their file lacks the right type of evidence. The VA demands precise and well-documented proof before it will approve a claim or assign a fair rating.
To succeed, your claim must clearly show the full connection between your current condition and your time in the military. Every VA disability claim needs three key elements:
- A Current Diagnosis – You must have up-to-date medical documentation from a licensed provider showing you’re currently dealing with the condition you’re claiming.
- Proof of an In-Service Event or Illness – This could be a specific injury, toxic exposure (such as at Hickam AFB, or overseas deployments), or illness that happened while you were on active duty. Military medical records, service logs, or statements from fellow service members can help support this part of your case.
- A Link Between the Diagnosis and the In-Service Event – A medical professional must confirm that your condition is “at least as likely as not” related to your service. Without this link (called nexus), your claim will be denied.
Our VA disability lawyers work with medical experts to obtain compelling nexus statements and handle every deadline and evidence request to keep your appeal moving forward – and protect your right to fair compensation.
Tell us about your claim
When Do You Need a VA Disability Lawyer?
If you’re just starting your VA claim, the Hawai‘i Office of Veterans’ Services or a local Veterans Service Organization in Honolulu can help you submit your initial application. But if your claim has been denied, your disability rating is too low, or the VA won’t acknowledge the connection between your condition and your military service, it’s time to seek experienced legal support.
Working with a skilled VA attorney can give you a powerful edge during the appeals process. Disability law is complex, and it’s always evolving. Our team stays up to date on every change in VA policy, ensuring your appeal is handled thoroughly and correctly from start to finish.
We’ve successfully handled cases involving toxic exposure (including at Pacific bases), Agent Orange, PTSD, Gulf War illnesses, and other long-term conditions that were initially denied. We’re proud of our 96% success rate and are ready to fight for you just as we have for thousands of other veterans across the U.S. whose appeals we handled.
Local Resources for Veterans in Honolulu and Oahu
Honolulu serves as a vital access point for veterans across the island of Oʻahu, offering essential VA healthcare services, housing support, and assistance with disability compensation claims. Our lawyers work with veterans throughout Honolulu, Pearl City, Kapolei, and other surrounding communities, while the local VA facilities provide a wide range of services designed to support the needs of the veteran population:
- Honolulu VA Regional Office (VARO): Assists with disability claims, pensions, and other VA benefit programs. Address: 459 Patterson Road, E-Wing, Room 2A100, Honolulu, HI 96819 | Phone: 800-827-1000
- City and County of Honolulu Office of Veterans Services: Offers support with filing VA claims, accessing healthcare, and navigating federal and state veteran benefits. Address: 459 Patterson Road, E-Wing, Room 1-A103, Honolulu, HI 96819 | Phone: 808-433-0420
- Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center: Full-service hospital offering primary care, mental health treatment, specialty care, and a wide array of outpatient and inpatient services. Address: 459 Patterson Road, Honolulu, HI 96819 | Phone: 808-433-0600
- Honolulu Vet Center: Provides confidential readjustment counseling for combat veterans and their families, support for military sexual trauma survivors, and bereavement counseling. Address: 1680 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite F, Honolulu, HI 96814 | Phone: 808-973-8387
- West Oʻahu Vet Center (Kapolei): Counseling and outreach support for veterans and their families. Address: 91-1051 Franklin D. Roosevelt Avenue, Kapolei, HI 96707 | Phone: 808-674-2414
- Leeward VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC): Serves veterans in the western part of Oʻahu with outpatient services and routine medical care. Address: 91-1020 Shangrila Street, Suite 101, Kapolei, HI 96707 | Phone: 808-692-5000
- Daniel Kahikina Akaka VA Clinic: Large outpatient clinic offering multispecialty care, mental health, imaging, and labs. Address: 91-1051 Franklin D. Roosevelt Avenue, Kapolei, HI 96707 | Phone: 800-214-1306
Veterans’ Housing Assistance and Support
Local, state, and federal programs in Honolulu and across Oʻahu offer targeted support to veterans at risk of homelessness, including transitional housing, financial assistance for rent and utilities, and options for long‑term stable housing.
The City and County of Honolulu’s WorkHawaiʻi Veteran Services division runs a Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program and the VA Pacific Islands Homeless Veteran Care coordinators work closely with veterans to connect them to appropriate housing, job training, health care, and support services to prevent or end homelessness.
At Hill & Ponton, we know that housing instability often worsens when veterans are wrongfully denied or underrated in their VA disability claims. If you believe your VA claim was unjustly denied or undervalued, our accredited attorneys stand ready to help, with no upfront fees. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.