Are you facing challenges with your VA disability case? If your initial claim was denied or you believe your rating is too low, you’re not alone. Many veterans in Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove or Fort Cavazos may be missing out on the full VA benefits they earned through their service.
At Hill & Ponton, we understand. We’re VA-accredited attorneys who have successfully fought for hundreds of disabled veterans in Killeen and thousands more nationwide to get the VA benefits they’re entitled to. We’d be honored to do the same for you.
Why Choose Hill & Ponton?
- Veteran Founded: Our firm was founded by a veteran, giving us a profound understanding of the challenges you face, backed by experience and compassion.
- Focused Expertise: We concentrate specifically on helping disabled veterans navigate the complexities of the VA appeals process and seek rating increases. While we don’t typically handle initial claims, we excel at overturning denials and securing higher ratings.
- Proven Success: We have a strong track record, both nationwide and for veterans in Texas, with a 96% success rate for the cases we choose to take.
Legal Services in the Killeen Area
- VA Appeals: If your VA disability claim was denied, we can help you understand why and build a strong case for appeal. We handle appeals through various VA pathways, including Supplemental Claims, Higher-Level Reviews, and Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) cases.
- Rating Increases: If your service-connected condition has worsened, or if you believe your initial rating was too low, we can help you file for an increase in your disability rating.
- Disability Compensation: We fight to ensure you receive the maximum monthly disability compensation you are medically and legally entitled to for your service-connected conditions.
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): We assist surviving spouses, children, and parents of veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): We help veterans secure SMC, which is paid in addition to regular VA disability compensation for specific needs or severe disabilities (e.g., loss of limb, blindness).
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU): If your service-connected disabilities prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment, we can help you pursue TDIU benefits, which pay at the 100% disability rate even if your combined rating is lower.
VA Ratings and Compensation
A disability rating is a percentage (from 0% to 100%) assigned by the VA that represents the severity of your service-connected condition.
If you have multiple service-connected disabilities, the VA uses a specific formula to combine the individual ratings into a single combined rating, which determines your overall compensation. Calculate yours here.
Here are the compensation levels for a Killeen 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
Winning VA Claims & Appeals
The appeals system has several pathways. Choosing the right one depends on your specific situation and whether you have new evidence to submit. Requirements generally include meeting filing deadlines and providing sufficient medical evidence and proof of service connection.
Your VA disability lawyers will help you choose an appeal path and win your case. A successful claim requires the following:
- Current Diagnosis: You must have a current diagnosis of a disability from a medical professional.
- In-Service Event/Injury/Illness: Evidence must show that something happened during your service (like an injury, exposure, or specific event) that could have caused or contributed to your current disability.
- Medical Nexus: Medical evidence must link your current diagnosis to the in-service event, injury, or illness.
Establishing the nexus is often the most challenging part of a VA claim. This is particularly true for conditions related to toxic exposures during service, as symptoms may not appear until years later.
Veterans from the Killeen area or who served at Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) and developed medical conditions may be able to claim disability due to contact with dangerous substances, such as:
- PFAS: Contamination of groundwater and potentially drinking water has been linked to the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam on base. PFAS exposure is associated with health risks including kidney cancer and testicular cancer.
- Asbestos: This material was used extensively in older buildings, potentially exposing service members, families, and civilian workers during construction, maintenance, or demolition. Asbestos exposure is linked to mesothelioma and other lung diseases.
Resources for Disabled Veterans in Killeen, Texas
Killeen has a large veteran population, estimated at nearly 25,000, and more than 30,000 in the immediate area. This strong presence fosters a supportive community, with a variety of resources available to disabled veterans in Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove or Fort Cavazos.
Veteran Assistance
Bell County Veteran Services: 301 Priest Dr., Room 111/113, Killeen, TX 76541
Killeen Heights Vet Center: Provides mental healthcare, transition counseling, and access to other community resources. Located at 302 Millers Crossing, Suite 4, Harker Heights, TX 76548 ; Phone: 254-953-7100
Fort Cavazos Legal Assistance Office: Building 13, 52nd Street, Fort Cavazos, TX 76544 ; Phone: 254-287-7901
vA Healthcare
Killeen VA Clinic: 1001 East Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Midtown Mall, Suite 400, Killeen, TX 76541-7292 ; Phone: 254-312-8006
Copperas Cove VA Clinic: 336 Town Square, Town Square Plaza, Copperas Cove, TX 76522 ; Phone: 254-899-6000
Olin E. Teague Veterans’ Center (Temple VAMC): 1901 Veterans Memorial Dr bldg 163, Temple, TX 76504 ; Phone: 254-778-4811
Legal Assistance for Killeen Veterans
Many veterans find the VA system complex, but an experienced attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your appeal. Our VA disability lawyers will:
- Analyze the VA’s decision to identify errors.
- Gather crucial evidence (like medical records and nexus letters).
- Develop a strong legal strategy for your specific appeal pathway.
- Represent you before the VA, including the Board of Veterans’ Appeals if necessary.
- Navigate complex legal arguments and VA regulations
To start the process, contact Hill & Ponton today for a free case evaluation.