Across Little Rock and Pulaski County, many veterans depend on VA disability benefits to cover medical care, daily living costs, and support for their families. Yet far too often, claims are denied or underrated, especially when veterans lack the support and legal assistance to push back.
At Hill & Ponton, VA disability law is our focus – nothing else. Founded by a veteran, our firm is dedicated to helping Arkansas veterans challenge unfair VA decisions and secure the benefits they truly deserve. We know how complicated the VA system is, and how much a wrong decision can affect your health, finances, and peace of mind.
We’ve represented thousands of veterans nationwide, and we’re proud to stand with veterans here in the Little Rock area and throughout Arkansas. There’s no cost to get started and you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. Tell us about your claim, and let us put our experience to work for you.
Our Legal Services
- Disability Compensation: We help veterans in Little Rock pursue the full monthly compensation they’re owed for service-connected physical and mental health conditions. If you’ve been underpaid or denied in the past, we also work to recover back pay you may be entitled to.
- VA Disability Appeals: VA decisions aren’t set in stone – if your claim was denied or your rating feels too low, we’ll step in to take over the appeals process. Our legal team reviews your VA file, helps gather additional medical evidence, and builds a solid case to challenge the decision and push for the correct rating.
- Increased Compensation: If your health has declined since the VA last evaluated your claim, you may be eligible for an increased disability rating (and a higher monthly benefit). We can handle the paperwork, evidence, and strategy to make sure your worsening condition is fairly reflected.
- Special Monthly Compensation: For veterans facing serious disabilities (such as the loss of use of limbs, blindness, or needing daily assistance), SMC provides additional compensation beyond the standard VA rating scale.
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability: If your service-connected conditions prevent you from working a full-time job, you may still qualify for 100% disability pay through TDIU, even if your rating is less than 100%.
- DIC and Survivor Benefits: Families who’ve lost a veteran due to a service-connected condition deserve support. Our lawyers help spouses, children, and parents win DIC and other survivor benefits, ensuring they receive the financial assistance they’re entitled to.
Disability Ratings and Compensation
Your VA disability rating determines how much monthly, tax-free compensation you’ll receive and how the VA recognizes the impact of your service-connected condition on your daily life. Whether it affects your ability to work, take care of yourself, or live independently, your rating plays a major role in your financial and medical support.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs assigns disability ratings in 10% increments, ranging from 10% to 100%. The higher your rating, the greater the compensation – but the calculation process can be more complicated than it seems.
If you have more than one service-connected condition, the VA uses a combined ratings formula, not simple addition. This often results in a total rating that’s lower than expected, which is why even a small increase (like going from 70% to 80% disability) can lead to significantly more compensation.
Here are the 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 payments will be higher. The VA updates these rates each year based on cost-of-living adjustments.
In addition to federal benefits, Arkansas offers several state-level benefits, including property tax exemptions, state employment preference and college tuition waivers.
Work with us to get your Benefits
Proving Toxic Exposure Claims
Many veterans in Little Rock served at bases where toxic chemicals were regularly used, often without adequate safety measures or long-term cleanup. The following military installations have documented or suspected toxic exposure risks:
- Little Rock Air Force Base (Jacksonville, AR) – Just northeast of Little Rock, this active-duty installation has been identified by the Department of Defense as a site with confirmed PFAS contamination, primarily from the historic use of firefighting foam (AFFF) in training. Veterans who lived or worked on base may have been exposed through contaminated soil, water, or direct handling of hazardous materials.
- Pine Bluff Arsenal (Pine Bluff, AR) – Located roughly an hour from Little Rock, this facility was involved in the storage and disposal of chemical weapons and industrial chemicals for decades. It has been the focus of EPA-supervised cleanup efforts due to environmental contamination from VOCs, pesticides, and chemical incineration byproducts. Personnel assigned here may have had prolonged exposure to dangerous toxins.
- Fort Chaffee (Fort Smith, AR) – Veterans stationed at Fort Chaffee during training, field exercises, or special assignments may have come into contact with petroleum-based contaminants, solvents, or hazardous waste materials.
- Eaker Air Force Base (Blytheville, AR) – This installation has a history of using firefighting foam (AFFF) in training and emergency response, which is a common source of PFAS exposure.
If you served at one of these installations (or others in the U.S.) and have since developed a serious health condition, you may now qualify for VA disability compensation, even if your claim was denied in the past. Our lawyers specialize in helping veterans in Little Rock and across Arkansas prove toxic exposure and secure the compensation they’ve earned. We know what medical evidence the VA needs to see, how to build a nexus between your diagnosis and service, and how to fight back if the VA got your claim wrong the first time.
Meeting VA Requirements
Securing VA disability benefits isn’t just about having a service-connected condition, it’s about showing the VA clear and convincing evidence that ties your health issues to your military service. Whether you’re dealing with a straightforward injury or a complex case involving PTSD or toxic exposure, your claim must meet three core requirements:
- A Current Diagnosis – You need a formal diagnosis from a licensed medical professional, whether through the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System or a private doctor. This confirms that you’re currently living with the condition you’re claiming.
- Evidence of a Service-Related Event – The VA must see proof that something happened while you were serving that caused or contributed to your condition. That could include an injury sustained during training, exposure to harmful substances at bases in or near Little Rock, or the first appearance of symptoms during active duty.
- A Medical Link Between the Two (Nexus) – Perhaps the most critical piece of your claim is a nexus opinion. A medical expert must clearly state that your condition is “at least as likely as not” connected to your military service. Without this, even solid claims can be denied.
Our VA disability lawyers help veterans in Little Rock navigate the appeals process from start to finish. We gather medical records, build the evidence trail from your service, and work with trusted professionals to create the nexus statements the VA needs to see.
LEt’s talk about your claim
Why Choose Hill & Ponton?
Most veterans in Little Rock begin their VA disability claims on their own. But when the VA denies your claim or gives you a rating that doesn’t reflect the true impact of your condition, that’s when experienced legal support becomes essential.
The VA appeals process is filled with deadlines, specific forms, and constantly shifting policies. A single mistake (missing evidence, a late form, or vague documentation) can stall your case for months, or even years. That’s where Hill & Ponton comes in.
We’re not a general law firm that occasionally handles veterans’ cases: VA disability law is all we do. Our VA-accredited attorneys know how to navigate the system because we’ve done it successfully for thousands of veterans nationwide, including right here in Pulaski County. Here’s how we help veterans in Little Rock win:
- We Understand the VA System Inside and Out – Our team stays on top of every legal update, policy change, and procedural detail, so your case is built using the most current and effective legal strategy available.
- We Build Every Appeal from the Ground Up – Whether it’s a Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or a Board of Veterans’ Appeals hearing, we gather everything the VA needs to see and turn it into a compelling legal case.
- We Do the Hard Work for You – From pulling your C-File to coordinating nexus letters and managing all communication with the VA, we take on the burden so you can focus on your health and your family.
- We Maximize What You’re Owed – Many veterans are underrated or missing benefits entirely. We push for the highest possible rating, including TDIU (if your condition prevents full-time work) and Special Monthly Compensation for more serious disabilities.
Local Resources for Veterans in the Little Rock Area
- Arkansas VA – Pulaski County Office: Assists with VA claims, state benefits, appeals, and discharge upgrades. Address: 2401 John Ashley Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72114 | Phone: (501) 370‑3820
- Little Rock Vet Center: 10800 Financial Centre Parkway, Suite 175, Little Rock, AR 72211 | Phone: (501) 918‑1830
- John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital: Full-service VA hospital offering inpatient/outpatient care, specialty clinics, and mental health services. Address: 4300 West 7th Street, Little Rock, AR 72205 | Phone: (501) 257‑1000
- Eugene J. Towbin Healthcare Center (Fort Roots): Provides long-term care, mental health, physical therapy, and extended services. Address: 2200 Fort Roots Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72114 | Phone: (501) 257‑1000
Veterans’ Housing Assistance and Support
The number of homeless people in the Little Rock area is reported to have increased recently due to rising costs and, according to a Little Rock homeless shelter, around 15% of the thousands of people that walk through the doors every year are homeless veterans.
With disabled veterans often one missed paycheck away from homelessness, access to local resources is vital. Veterans in Little Rock and North Little Rock who are facing housing instability can access several programs and support services:
- The Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System Homeless Program offers outreach, case management, and residential treatment services. It also operates HUD‑VA Supported Housing (HUD‑VASH) in the area.
- SSVF Arkansas provides homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing assistance, including help with rent, utilities, and relocation costs for eligible veteran families.
- VA Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs at CAVHS (North Little Rock) include a homeless domiciliary unit and structured programs to help veterans recover and transition toward stable living.
At Hill & Ponton, we know that denied or undervalued VA disability claims often go hand in hand with financial stress and housing challenges. If your claim was mishandled, we can help you appeal (with no fees unless we win). Reach out to our VA disability lawyers for a free case evaluation.