You served your country with dedication, but now you’re facing a system that too often gives veterans the runaround. If your VA disability claim was denied or underrated, you’re not alone. Many veterans in the Hot Springs area have been met with confusing paperwork, denials and ratings that don’t reflect the seriousness of their condition.
That’s where we step in. At Hill & Ponton, VA disability law isn’t just one of our practice areas, it’s the only thing we do. Founded by a veteran, our firm has spent over 30 years helping veterans across the country fight back and win the benefits they’ve earned.
Our VA-accredited attorneys understand the ins and outs of the system, what evidence the VA actually needs and how to challenge flawed decisions. Whether your condition was caused by your service or has worsened over time, we’re ready to take on the VA on your behalf. There’s no cost upfront, and you’ll never pay unless we win your appeal.
Our Legal Services
- Disability Compensation: We help Hot Springs veterans get every dollar and benefit they’ve earned through service, including any back pay the VA owes you.
- VA Disability Appeals: If your claim has been denied or underrated, you don’t have to take the VA’s word for it. We handle every step of the appeals process, including reviewing your original file, gathering updated medical evidence, and building a compelling case that gives your claim a fair chance.
- Increased Compensation: Has your health declined since your last VA decision? You may be entitled to a higher disability rating – and more compensation.
- Special Monthly Compensation: If you’re housebound, need personal care, or suffer from serious conditions like limb loss, paralysis, or blindness, you may qualify for SMC and get extra compensation on top of your regular disability payments. We make sure your claim fully reflects your day-to-day reality.
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability: If your service-connected conditions prevent you from working full-time, you may qualify for 100% compensation through TDIU, even if your VA rating is technically lower. We help you document how your disabilities impact your ability to earn a living and fight to get you the full benefits you deserve.
- DIC and Survivor Benefits: If your spouse, parent, or child passed away from a service-connected illness or injury, we can help you obtain DIC and other survivor benefits. We work to ensure families left behind get the financial support they’re entitled to.
Disability Ratings and Compensation
Your VA disability rating determines how much the Department of Veterans Affairs compensates you each month. The VA assigns ratings in 10% increments, from 10% to 100%, with each step representing a more severe disability and a higher monthly, tax-free payment.
If you have multiple service-connected conditions, the VA doesn’t just add the percentages together. Instead, it uses a combined ratings formula that usually results in a lower total than expected.
That’s why accuracy matters. Even a 10% increase in your rating can make a noticeable difference in your monthly income. Here are the current monthly compensation rates 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
Additional monthly compensation is available for veterans with spouses, children, or dependent parents. These rates are updated annually based on the cost-of-living. You can estimate your full compensation using the VA disability calculator.
Veterans in Hot Springs and Garland County may also qualify for valuable Arkansas state benefits, such as property tax exemptions and college tuition waivers. These state programs, combined with your federal VA compensation, can provide critical support for you and your family.
Work with us to get your Benefits
Proving Toxic Exposure Claims
Many veterans living in the region served at Arkansas bases or out-of-state locations where toxic exposure is now recognized by the VA. These exposures may have involved PFAS, jet fuels, solvents like TCE, heavy metals, or other industrial contaminants linked to long-term health conditions. Here are several Arkansas-based military installations with known or suspected toxic exposure risks:
- Eaker Air Force Base (Blytheville, AR) – This base is being investigated for PFAS contamination from the extensive use of firefighting foam (AFFF).
- Little Rock Air Force Base (Jacksonville, AR) – PFAS contamination has been confirmed in groundwater and soil from decades of firefighting foam (AFFF) use during training exercises. Veterans who lived or trained here may have been exposed through drinking water or direct contact with contaminated materials.
- Fort Chaffee (near Fort Smith, AR) – Historically used for training, troop housing, and refugee support, Fort Chaffee has undergone environmental cleanup for petroleum products, solvents, and pesticides. Past operations may have exposed service members to hazardous materials.
- Pine Bluff Arsenal (Pine Bluff, AR) – Known for chemical weapons storage and disposal, Pine Bluff Arsenal has been associated with toxic chemicals and incineration byproducts, including VOCs and nerve agent degradation materials. Environmental investigations and cleanups have taken place over the years.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a serious condition after serving at a contaminated military base, you may qualify for disability compensation, even if your original claim was denied. At Hill & Ponton, we’ve helped thousands of veterans prove exposure, connect their diagnoses to military service, and secure the benefits they’ve earned.
Meeting VA Requirements
Winning a VA disability claim isn’t just about having a service-connected condition, it’s about proving it to the VA in the way they require.
Whether you’re dealing with a clear-cut injury or a more complex condition involving toxic exposure or delayed symptoms, your claim needs to present a full, well-documented picture. The VA looks for three essential elements in every successful claim:
- A Current Diagnosis – You must have a current, official diagnosis from a licensed healthcare provider — either from the VA or a private doctor. This confirms that you’re actively dealing with the condition you’re claiming.
- Proof of an In-Service Event or Illness – The VA needs evidence that something happened during your military service that caused or worsened your condition. This could be a documented injury during training, illness while deployed, or exposure to hazardous chemicals.
- A Link Between the Diagnosis and the In-Service Event – A doctor must state that your current condition is “at least as likely as not” connected to your military service. This medical opinion is often the hardest part to get right – and one of the most common reasons claims get denied.
Our VA disability lawyers help Hot Springs veterans build strong, complete cases. That means gathering the right medical records, identifying proof from your service history, and working with experts who can explain the connection between your diagnosis and your time in uniform.
Tell us about your claim
When Do You Need a VA Disability Lawyer?
Starting a VA disability claim on your own is common, but if your claim gets denied or you receive a low rating, that’s when legal help can make all the difference.
At Hill & Ponton, we focus 100% on VA disability law. Our attorneys understand how to navigate the complex VA appeals system, from missed deadlines to missing medical links. We’ve helped thousands of veterans nationwide, including right here in Garland County, win the benefits they’ve earned.
Our lawyers stay up to date on every policy change and legal shift that can affect your case and will always fight for maximum compensation: higher ratings, TDIU, and Special Monthly Compensation when applicable. If your disability rating doesn’t reflect your condition, or your claim was denied, contact us for a free evaluation. You pay nothing unless we win.
Local Resources for Veterans in Honolulu and Oahu
Hot Springs and Hot Springs Village are served by several VA facilities committed to providing healthcare, benefits support, and veteran advocacy in Garland County:
- Garland County Veteran Service Office – Assists veterans and dependents with VA claims, forms, and access to benefits. Appointments recommended. Address: 501 Ouachita Ave, Room 105, Hot Springs, AR 71901 | Phone: (501) 622‑3795
- Hot Springs County Veterans Service Office – Offers support to rural-area veterans with claims assistance and benefit guidance. Address: P.O. Box 888, Malvern, AR 72104 | Phone: (501) 467‑6778
- Hot Springs VA Clinic – Provides outpatient services, including primary care and mental health support. Address: 177 Sawtooth Oak Street, Hot Springs, AR 71901 | Phone: (501) 520‑6250
Veterans’ Housing Assistance and Support
Veterans in the Hot Springs area who are facing homelessness or housing insecurity have access to several critical programs that provide both short-term relief and long-term stability. These services are coordinated through local and regional partnerships with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and nonprofit organizations across Arkansas.
The Hot Springs VA Clinic, located at 177 Sawtooth Oak Street, refers eligible veterans to housing assistance programs through CAVHS’s Homeless Veteran Program. Veterans can get connected to case managers who help coordinate care, apply for housing programs, and receive access to VA-supported services such as job training and mental health treatment.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) operates throughout Arkansas, including in Garland County. This program offers rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention for veterans and their families. Services include short-term financial assistance for rent and utilities, security deposits, emergency housing placement, and case management to help stabilize living situations.
At Hill & Ponton, we understand that housing instability often goes hand in hand with denied or underrated VA claims. If you’ve been struggling to access disability benefits, our lawyers can help you fight back. There are no upfront fees, and we only get paid if we win your case. Contact us today for a free evaluation.