Memphis is home to more than 50,000 veterans, many of whom depend on VA disability benefits to meet their daily needs. Unfortunately, too many are wrongfully denied or given disability ratings that don’t reflect the reality of their conditions, leaving them without the support they’ve earned.
At Hill & Ponton, we understand how frustrating and complex the VA claims process can be. Our attorneys specialize exclusively in disability law and have successfully represented thousands of veterans nationwide, including right here in Tennessee. We win 96% of the cases we take on and we would be proud to represent you too.
There are no upfront fees, and you won’t pay anything unless we win your case. If your VA claim has been denied or underrated, tell us your story. Let us put our decades of experience to work for you.
Our Legal Services
- Disability Compensation: We help veterans win the highest monthly compensation available for physical injuries and mental health conditions that were caused or worsened by military service, deployments, or training-related incidents.
- VA Disability Appeals: If your VA claim was denied, our team is ready to step in and take over the appeals process. We work to correct unfair decisions, gather new evidence, and recover any unpaid benefits you may be entitled to.
- Increased Compensation: If your condition got worse over time, you could qualify for an increased VA rating and larger monthly payments. We’ll build a case to ensure your compensation reflects your current limitations.
- Survivor Benefits: If you’re the spouse, child, or parent of a veteran who died due to a service-connected condition, you may qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation and other death benefits. We’ll guide you through the process and fight for the support your family deserves.
- Special Monthly Compensation: If you face serious impairments, we will ensure you receive this important additional financial support.
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability: Even if your rating is below 100%, our attorneys can help you get TDIU for service-connected conditions that prevent you from working full time.
Disability Ratings and Compensation
When you apply for VA disability benefits, the VA assigns a rating based on how much your service-connected condition affects your everyday functioning. The rating is a percentage ranging from 10% to 100% in 10% increments and determines the amount of disability compensation you’ll receive.
If you have more than one service-connected condition, keep in mind that the VA uses a combined ratings formula. You can calculate your combined disability rating here.
Below are the current monthly payments to a disabled veteran with no spouse, children or dependent parents:
- 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
In addition to federal VA compensation, Tennessee offers state-specific veteran benefits that can ease your financial burden, including property tax relief for qualifying 100% disabled veterans and educational assistance for dependents.
These programs can provide significant additional savings for disabled veterans and their families. For help with qualifying or applying, reach out to the Shelby County Veterans Service Office or contact our attorneys if your rating isn’t where it should be.
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Proving Toxic Exposure Claims
If part of your VA disability claim depends on proving toxic exposure, it’s critical to connect your medical conditions to specific exposures during your service. In the Memphis area, one of the most relevant sites is Naval Support Activity Mid‑South in Millington, TN, where PFAS contamination has been documented.
Memphis Defense Depot, now decommissioned, was once a U.S. Army supply facility. It was placed on the EPA’s Superfund list because of historical chemical disposal (including leaking munitions, industrial solvents, and other hazardous materials) that contaminated soil, groundwater, and sediment.
Because PFAS and other chemicals (such as solvents or heavy metals) can persist in the environment for decades and migrate through groundwater, veterans who lived, worked, or trained around these sites may have been exposed. The VA does not automatically presume exposure for veterans stationed at these bases, so winning a disability claim will require proving that the exposure happened and that it caused or aggravated the disability.
Our lawyers can evaluate whether your case has merit, help gather the evidence, and work to establish service connection. Contact us today to review your case. You won’t pay anything unless we secure a favorable VA decision.
Winning Your VA Disability Claim
To be approved for VA disability benefits, the VA looks for three key elements: a current diagnosis, proof of an in-service event, injury, illness, or exposure, and a medical nexus (a professional opinion linking your condition to your military service).
Many claims are denied simply because the VA doesn’t see a clear enough link between your current condition and your time in uniform. Other common reasons include:
- Missing or incomplete medical records
- Failure to submit required evidence or forms
- VA processing errors or misinterpretations
- Missed deadlines under the new Appeals Modernization Act
If you’re a veteran in the Memphis area and your VA claim has been denied, underrated, or caught in red tape, Hill & Ponton is here to help.
Our legal team focuses exclusively on VA disability law. We’ve helped thousands of veterans navigate the claims and appeals process, including those dealing with PTSD, toxic exposure, MST, chronic pain, and other service-connected conditions.
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When Do You Need a VA Disability Lawyer?
If you’re just beginning your VA disability claim, the Shelby County Veterans Service Office or a local VSO (like DAV, VFW, or American Legion) can help you file the initial application. But if your claim has been denied, underrated, or the VA refuses to connect your condition to your military service, it may be time to bring in legal help.
Navigating the VA appeals process can be difficult. It’s full of technical rules, evolving policies, and tight deadlines. Missing a required form or misinterpreting the evidence can lead to another denial and months, or even years, of delay. That’s where Hill & Ponton comes in.
Our VA-accredited attorneys don’t just submit paperwork – we build strong, evidence-backed appeals tailored to the VA’s legal standards. Whether you need a well-crafted nexus letter, independent medical opinions, or representation before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA), we have you covered. We’ve handled complex cases involving:
- Toxic exposure from bases like Millington or other nearby facilities
- PTSD, anxiety, depression, and MST
- Chronic pain and orthopedic conditions
- Gulf War illness and long-term unexplained conditions
- Veterans who were unjustly denied or underrated for years
Our legal team stays current on VA policy changes and has a 96% success rate in the cases we accept. If your condition has worsened, your rating doesn’t reflect your disability, or you’ve simply been treated unfairly by the VA system, we’re ready to fight for you. Get a free case evaluation from a team who understands what it takes to win.
Local Resources for Memphis Veterans
Like most communities with a high veteran population, Memphis has many veterans living with service‑connected conditions – such as PTSD, orthopedic injuries, respiratory issues, hearing loss, and others. The veterans in Memphis and surrounding areas (Collierville, Bartlett, Millington, West Memphis AR) can get assistance and support from several VA facilities:
- Shelby County Veterans Service Office – Helps with VA disability claims, pensions, appeals, and survivor benefits. Address: 157 Poplar Avenue, Suite 101, Memphis, TN 38103; Phone: 901-222-4237
- Memphis Vet Center – Offers free, confidential counseling for PTSD, MST, family and readjustment issues, and referral support. Address: 2605 Nonconnah Boulevard, Suite 160, Memphis, TN 38132; Phone: 901-522-3950
- Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center – Primary VA hospital for Memphis-area veterans. Offers inpatient and outpatient care, mental health, specialty services, and substance use treatment. Address: 1030 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104; Phone: 901-523-8990
- Phelan Avenue VA Clinic – Focused services for homeless or at-risk veterans, including housing referrals, primary care, and mental health. Address: 1030 Jefferson Avenue (Building 7, East Entrance), Memphis, TN 38104; Phone: 901-523-8990
- Nonconnah Boulevard VA Clinic – Provides primary care and optometry services. Address: 1689 Nonconnah Boulevard, Memphis, TN 38132; Phone: 901-271-4900
Housing Assistance and Support for Memphis Veterans
A significant number of veterans in Memphis and Shelby County face housing instability, whether due to disability, unemployment, or delays in receiving VA benefits. To help prevent and address veteran homelessness, several federal and local programs (including HUD-VASH and SSVF) operate in coordination with community organizations in the Memphis area.
If you’re a veteran in or near Memphis who is homeless or at risk of homelessness, contact the Homeless Veteran Care Coordinator for transitional and permanent housing resources, financial assistance, vocational training and life skills education, substance abuse treatment and mental health services. The Phelan Avenue VA Clinic in Memphis also has specialized programs for vets who are homeless or at risk, and can help connect you with local housing resources.
While housing and short-term supports are crucial, many disabled veterans find that the key to long-term housing stability lies in obtaining the full VA disability compensation they’ve earned. A higher disability rating can lead to steady monthly income: money that can make the difference between affording rent, utilities, or everyday living expenses, especially for veterans who are unable to work due to service-connected conditions.
Hill & Ponton attorneys specialize in helping denied or underrated veterans who struggle to maintain housing or employment. You won’t pay anything unless we win your appeal. Get in touch with us today for a free case evaluation.