Has the VA denied your claim or given you a rating that’s too low? Are you missing out on benefits like unemployability or special compensation? You’re not alone. While many Maryland veterans receive disability benefits, far too many are still fighting to get the VA to fully recognize their service-connected conditions.
At Hill & Ponton, helping veterans is all we do. We’ve guided thousands of veterans in Maryland and across the country through the VA appeals process, and we know the system inside and out. You served your country with honor – now let us serve you by fighting for the full benefits you deserve.
Our Legal Services for Maryland Veterans
- Disability Compensation: Our attorneys maximize compensation for veterans with medical conditions caused or worsened by military service.
- Appeals: Were you denied service-connected compensation? We can handle every part of the appeals process, from filing the proper forms to securing new evidence.
- Rating Increases: If your disability has worsened and your current VA rating no longer reflects your condition, we can help you pursue a higher rating (and the additional monthly compensation that comes with it).
- DIC and Survivor Benefits: We represent surviving spouses, children, and parents of Maryland service members who died in the line of duty or from service-related conditions.
- Special Monthly Compensation: SMC provides extra financial support for veterans with severe disabilities, such as the loss of use of limbs, need for daily assistance, or certain combinations of disabilities. If you’ve been denied special monthly compensation or received the wrong level, our attorneys can help set things right.
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability: If your disability keeps you from maintaining full-time employment, you may qualify for TDIU, which pays the same as a 100% rating, even if your combined rating is lower. We help Maryland veterans prove eligibility and secure this important benefit.
How Much Could You Receive?
Your VA disability rating is a percentage (10% to 100%) that reflects how serious your service-connected condition is. This rating determines the amount of monthly tax-free compensation you’ll receive from the VA.
If you have multiple service-connected conditions, the VA uses a formula to calculate the combined disability rating. You can estimate your rating and compensation here.
Here’s the compensation Maryland veterans with no dependents currently receive each month:
- 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
This monthly payment will also increase based on eligible dependents, such as a spouse, children, or dependent parents.
Maryland State Benefits
In addition to monthly payments and federal VA benefits, Maryland offers its own state benefits for disabled veterans, including tax exemptions, education assistance, and more.
Work with us to get your benefits
When Should You Hire a VA Disability Lawyer?
Filing your initial VA disability claim on your own is great starting point. However, when the VA denies your claim or gives you a disability rating that doesn’t reflect the true extent of your condition, that’s when working with a VA-accredited attorney can make a powerful difference. The appeals process is legally complex and constantly changing, so having a skilled VA disability lawyer by your side gives you a much better chance of success.
At Hill & Ponton, we understand the unique challenges veterans face when navigating the VA system. You’re not just hiring a lawyer – you’re partnering with a team that focuses exclusively on VA disability appeals. Our attorneys know how to build strong legal strategies, gather the right medical and service records, and present compelling evidence to support your case.
Depending on the nature of your denial or low rating, there are several appeal options we can help you pursue:
- Supplemental Claim – If you have new, relevant evidence that wasn’t part of your original application, a Supplemental Claim lets the VA reconsider your case with this added information. It’s handled by the same VA Regional Office that made the first decision.
- Higher-Level Review – If you believe the VA made a clear mistake in your decision, this option allows a more senior reviewer to take another look — without requiring new evidence. It’s a faster, evidence-free way to challenge an error.
- Board of Veterans’ Appeals Review – This is the highest level of administrative appeal. We can help you request a direct review (no new evidence), submit new evidence for the Board to consider, or request a hearing with a Veterans Law Judge to explain your case in detail.
We are proud to represent denied and underrated veterans seeking appeals, and win 96% of the cases we handle. Contact us and take the next step toward securing your disability compensation.
What Do You Need to Win Your Appeal?
The VA commonly rejects or underrates claims because some essential elements aren’t sufficiently documented. To approve your claim, the VA needs three key elements:
- Current Diagnosis – A documented medical condition from a licensed provider.
- In-Service Event – Proof of an injury, illness, or exposure during your service.
- Nexus – A medical opinion clearly linking your condition to your service.
Common reasons for denial include:
- No Service Connection – Not enough evidence tying your condition to service.
- Weak Medical Evidence – Insufficient proof of severity or impact on your life.
- Missed Deadlines – Late submissions can trigger automatic denials.
- VA Mistakes – Errors in processing or overlooking key facts.
At Hill & Ponton, we specialize in correcting these issues. From securing strong medical opinions to making sure every deadline is met, we put together compelling appeals to win the benefits you deserve.
Tell us about your case
VA Disability for Exposure During Service
Many people develop serious health conditions due to toxic exposure while living or working at military installations in the U.S. or abroad, for which compensation may be possible. Maryland bases with documented toxic exposure include:
- Aberdeen Proving Ground – Used extensively for chemical warfare agent development and testing since World War I. Contamination includes mustard gas residues, nerve agents, solvents, unexploded ordnance, PFAS from firefighting foam, and heavy metals. Large sections are Superfund sites with groundwater plumes extending offsite.
- Joint Base Andrews – Primary contamination concern is PFAS from decades of AFFF use at hangars, fire stations, and training sites. Groundwater and surface water monitoring show PFAS levels exceeding EPA health advisories.
- Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard – This Superfund site had its soil and groundwater contaminated with solvents, oils, heavy metals and PCBs.
- Fort Detrick (Area B) – Former home to Army biological research. Disposal pits and burn areas led to groundwater contamination with trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), and other solvents. Listed as a Superfund site.
- Fort George G. Meade (and Tipton Airfield) – PFAS widely detected in soil and groundwater, along with volatile organic compounds (TCE, PCE), petroleum hydrocarbons, and unexploded ordnance. Listed on the EPA’s Superfund National Priorities List.
- Naval Air Station Patuxent River – Extensive PFAS contamination in groundwater from historical firefighting foam use, petroleum leaks from aircraft fueling, pesticide residues, solvents, and heavy metals.
- Naval Research Laboratory Chesapeake Beach Detachment – Historical Navy research and training site in Calvert County. PFAS were detected in groundwater and soils from fire suppression systems.
- Former Naval Research Laboratory White Oak – Site of former explosives and weapons testing in Montgomery County. PFAS contamination present, along with solvents, heavy metals, and waste disposal impacts in soils and groundwater.
- Warfield Air National Guard Base (Martin State Airport) – PFAS contamination from historical AFFF use during firefighting training and emergency response.
- Naval Support Facility Indian Head – Ordnance facility with a long record of propellant and explosives testing. Contamination includes perchlorates, TNT residues, heavy metals, solvents, and acid waste.
- Blossom Point Research Facility – Charles County. U.S. Army site for munitions and explosives testing. Soil and groundwater contamination from explosives residues, solvents, and hazardous waste disposal.
- Former Navy Bayhead Annex – Annapolis, Anne Arundel County. A former Navy facility with groundwater PFAS contamination. Used for logistics and support activities, with residual contamination from fire suppression and waste disposal.
- Former Naval Training Center Bainbridge – Decommissioned training center in Cecil County with contamination from landfills, petroleum storage, solvents, and open burn pits. Listed as a Superfund site with remediation in progress.
If you’re suffering from health issues related to toxic exposure at a military base but the VA has denied your rightful benefits, our lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation and care you need. Contact us for a free evaluation of your case, with no upfront costs.
Legal Resources and Lawyers Near You
Baltimore
MDVA Baltimore Service Office: 31 Hopkins Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21201 | Phone: 410-230-4444
Charles County
Charles County Department of Community Services: 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, MD 20646 | Phone: 301-934-9305
Maryland VA Facilities Providing Veteran Assistance
VA Service & Benefits Offices
- MDVA Central Office – 16 Francis Street, 4th Floor, Annapolis, MD 21401 | Phone: 410-260-3838
- Baltimore Service Office – 31 Hopkins Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21201 | Phone: 410-230-4444
- Bel Air Service Office – 2 South Bond Street, Suite 300, Bel Air, MD 21014 | Phone: 410-836-4900
- Charlotte Hall Veterans Home & Service Office – 29449 Charlotte Hall Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622 | Phone: 301-884-8171
- Cumberland Service Office – 12501 Willowbrook Road, Cumberland, MD 21502 | Phone: 301-777-7144
- Eastern Shore Office Easton – 301 Bay Street, Easton, MD 21601 | Phone: 410-822-2869
Maryland Vet centers
- Aberdeen Vet Center Outstation – 223 West Bel Air Ave on Law Street, Aberdeen, MD 21001 | Main phone: 410-272-6771
- Annapolis Vet Center – 100 Annapolis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 | Phone: 410-605-7826
- Baltimore Vet Center – 1777 Reisterstown Road, Suite 199, Baltimore, MD 21208 | Phone: 410-764-9400
- Dundalk Vet Center – 1553 Merritt Boulevard, Dundalk, MD 21222 | Phone: 410-282-6144
- Elkton Vet Center – 103 Chesapeake Boulevard, Elkton, MD 21921 | Phone: 410-392-4485
- Prince George’s County Vet Center – 7905 Malcolm Road, Suite 101, Clinton, MD 20735 | Phone: 301-856-7173
- Silver Spring Vet Center – 2900 Linden Lane, Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910 | Main phone: 301-589-1073
VA Medical centers
- Baltimore VA Medical Center – 10 North Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 | Phone: 410-605-7000
- Loch Raven VA Community Living & Rehabilitation Center – 3900 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21218 | Phone: 410-605-7000
- Perry Point VA Medical Center – 361 Boiler House Road, Perry Point, MD 21902 | Phone: 410-642-2411
Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs)
- Baltimore VA Clinic (CRRC) – 209 West Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-3403 | Phone: 410-605-7000
- Cambridge VA Clinic – 830 Chesapeake Drive, Cambridge, MD 21613 | Phone: 410-228-6243
- Eastern Baltimore County VA Clinic – 5235 King Avenue, Franklin Square Professional Center, Suite 200, Rosedale, MD 21237 | Phone: 410-605-70001
- Fort Detrick VA Clinic – 1433 Porter Street, Building 1433, Frederick, MD 21702-9211 | Phone: 800-817-3807
- Fort Meade VA Clinic – 2479 5th Street, Fort Meade, MD 20755 | Phone: 410-305-5300
- Glen Burnie VA Clinic – 808 Landmark Drive, Suite 128, Glen Burnie, MD 21061 | Phone: 410-590-4140
- Hagerstown VA Clinic – 1101 Opal Court, Hagerstown, MD 21740 | Phone: 301-665-1462
- Montgomery County VA Clinic – 15810 Gaither Drive, Shady Grove Development Park, Suite 130, Gaithersburg, MD 20877-1429 | Phone: 301-591-5858
- Pocomoke City Clinic — 1701 Market Place, Suite 211, Pocomoke City, MD 21851-1738
- Rosedale Clinic (Franklin Square Professional Center, Suite 200) — 5235 King Avenue, Rosedale, MD 21237-4068
Housing Assistance and Support for Maryland Veterans
To address growing challenges with affordable housing, Maryland connects veterans with HUD-VASH vouchers and participates in programs such as Supportive Services for Veteran Families, which provides rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, and financial assistance for eligible low-income veterans and their families.
The Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training (MCVET) in Baltimore offers transitional housing, emergency shelter, education and workforce development programs, and comprehensive supportive services to homeless veterans across the state. In addition, counties like Prince George’s, Charles, and Montgomery run coordinated entry systems that connect veterans to shelters, rental assistance, and housing programs in their area.
Hill & Ponton specializes in legal assistance for unemployed veterans and those who are at risk of homelessness. If you were denied compensation or received a lower rating than you deserve, our VA-accredited attorneys are ready to help, at no upfront cost. We fight to secure the benefits that can provide stability for you and your family. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.