We are VA-accredited attorneys who have dedicated our practice to helping disabled veterans like you secure the benefits you rightfully earned. We’ve fought for hundreds of disabled veterans across Pennsylvania (including those right here in the Philadelphia county) and thousands more nationwide, with a 96% success rate.
Hill & Ponton specializes in appeals and seeking increases in disability ratings when your condition has worsened or was initially underrated. We know what can impact your claim at the Philadelphia VA Regional Office. Our goal is to help you achieve the highest possible disability rating and the compensation you deserve.
Our Legal Services for Philadelphia Veterans
- Disability Compensation: We assist veterans in establishing service connection for conditions incurred or aggravated during military service to receive monthly tax-free monetary benefits.
- VA Appeals: If your initial VA disability claim has been denied or you disagree with the rating decision, our attorneys can guide you through the complex appeals process, whether it’s the Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
- Increases: We help you obtain a higher disability rating to ensure your monthly compensation reflects the current severity of your symptoms.
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): For surviving spouses, children, or parents of a service member who died on active duty or a veteran who died from service-connected disabilities, we handle the process of claiming DIC benefits.
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): If your service-connected condition is particularly severe or requires specific aid and attendance, you may be eligible for SMC, a higher rate of monthly compensation. We can determine eligibility and pursue this benefit.
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU): If your service-connected disabilities prevent you from holding down substantially gainful employment, you may qualify for TDIU, which allows you to be compensated at the 100% disability rate even if your combined rating is less than 100%.
What Does It Take to Win a VA Disability Claim?
When evaluating a claim or appeal, the VA looks for several key requirements:
- A Current Diagnosis: You must have a currently diagnosed medical condition by a qualified healthcare professional.
- An In-Service Event, Injury, or Illness: There must be evidence of an event, injury, or illness that occurred during your military service.
- A Medical Nexus: Crucially, there must be a medical opinion or evidence linking your current diagnosis to the in-service event.
Insufficient medical evidence, missing service records, or a failure to clearly establish a nexus are common reasons for VA claim denial. This is where lawyers make the biggest difference.
Our VA-accredited attorneys can help you gather the necessary medical evidence, secure credible medical nexus opinions, and build a compelling case that meets the VA’s requirements.
free case review
Proving Toxic Exposure Claims
Establishing a solid medical nexus can be particularly challenging for conditions related to toxic exposure during service. Veterans may have been exposed to a variety of harmful substances, often without their knowledge at the time, leading to debilitating conditions years or decades later.
Many of the over 50,000 veterans in the Philadelphia County may have served at, or have connections to, bases in the wider Mid-Atlantic region. Nearby bases with known toxic exposure include:
- Philadelphia Naval Shipyard: The first United States Navy shipyard, which closed in 1996, had a long history of environmental issues and widely used asbestos, potentially causing deadly lung diseases in veterans who were exposed to it.
- Willow Grove Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base: This base, not far from Philadelphia, has been found to be contaminated with PFAS and other toxins linked to serious medical conditions including cancers.
- Naval Air Development Center Warminster: NAWC is under investigation for PFAS contamination, which may have also affected nearby communities in Bucks County.
- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (New Jersey): Located relatively close to Philadelphia, this joint base is home to Air Force, Army, and Navy components and is a significant hub for operations and personnel in the region. The site is known to be contaminated with TCE, PCE and other VOCs, as well as PFAs and heavy metals.
- Aberdeen Proving Ground (Maryland): While further away, many veterans in the region may have served at this large Army installation known for testing and research. The base, contaminated with various toxins (including PFAS) was also one of the storage sites for Agent Orange within the U.S.
Veterans who served at these or other facilities and were exposed to hazardous materials or conditions during their service may be eligible for VA disability benefits. We can help connect your service history, regardless of location, to your current health conditions and work tirelessly to win your case.
When Should You Get a VA Disability Lawyer?
Many veterans initially seek assistance from Veterans Service Organizations for their claims. VSOs provide valuable services and can be very helpful for initial claims. However, navigating the complexities of the VA appeals process, especially after a denial or a low rating, often requires specialized legal expertise.
Benefits of Working with Our Lawyers for Your Appeal
- Expertise in VA Law: VA disability law is complex and constantly evolving with new regulations, court decisions, and laws like the PACT Act. VA-accredited attorneys stay current on these changes.
- Evidence Development: Lawyers know how to identify missing evidence, request necessary records (including your VA Claims File), and work with medical professionals to obtain strong nexus opinions.
- Navigating the Appeals System: The modernized appeals system offers different lanes (Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, Board Appeal). A lawyer can help you choose the best path for your specific case and meet crucial deadlines.
- Representation at the Board: If your appeal reaches the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, having experienced legal representation can significantly impact your case’s outcome.
- Fighting for the Maximum Benefit: Lawyers are skilled at arguing for the highest possible disability rating and ensuring you receive all eligible benefits, including SMC or TDIU.
What Is the Success Rate of Philadelphia VA Disability Attorneys?
Veterans represented by legal professionals or VSOs have a higher success rate compared to those who appeal on their own. At Hill & Ponton, we are proud of our track record. We win 96% in the cases we take on nationwide.
Our success rate reflects our deep understanding of VA law, meticulous case preparation, and unwavering commitment to our clients. Read the stories of the veterans we’ve helped.
What Are You Entitled To?
The VA assigns a disability rating based on the severity of your service-connected condition. This rating, expressed as a percentage (from 0% to 100% in increments of 10), determines your monthly tax-free disability compensation. The higher your rating, the greater your monthly benefit amount.
If you have multiple service-connected conditions, the VA uses a specific calculation method (not simply adding percentages) to arrive at a combined disability rating. You can use our VA disability calculator to estimate your combined rating and compensation.
Here’s what a single Philadelphia veteran with no dependents currently receives, based on the disability rating percentage:
- 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
In addition to disability compensation, Philadelphia veterans also receive other federal VA benefits and Pennsylvania state benefits.
Work with us to get what you deserve
Resources for Philadelphia Veterans
Philadelphia County has a strong veteran community supported by various resources. While we handle the legal aspects of your VA disability appeal, we also want to ensure you are aware of other valuable support systems available in the area.
Veteran Assistance
Philadelphia VA Regional Benefit Office (VARO): This is the office that processes disability claims and appeals for veterans in this region. Address: 5000 Wissahickon Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144. Main Phone: 800-827-1000 (VA Benefits Hotline)
Center City Philadelphia Vet Center: 801 Arch Street, Suite 502, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Main Phone: 215-627-0238
Northeast Philadelphia Vet Center: 101 East Olney Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19120. Main Phone: 215-924-4670
Norristown Vet Center: 320 East Johnson Highway, Suite 201, Norristown, PA 19401. Phone: 215-823-5245
Bucks County Vet Center: 2 Canals End Road, Suite 201B, Bristol, PA 19007. Phone: 215-823-4590
Wilmington Vet Center: 2710 Centerville Road, Suite 103, Wilmington, DE 19808. Phone: 302-994-1660
VA Healthcare
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center: The main VA Medical Center serving the Philadelphia area, offering comprehensive medical, surgical, and psychiatric care. Address: 3900 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Main Phone: 215-823-5800
Chestnut Street VA Clinic: 4219 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3014. Main Phone: 215-222-7440
Fourth Street VA Clinic: 213 North 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-1801. Main Phone: 215-823-5800, ext. 207465
West Philadelphia VA Clinic: 6232 Market Street, Suite 100, Philadelphia, PA 19139-2922. Main Phone: 215-222-7540
Victor J. Saracini Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic: Located outside the city, but serving the greater area. Address: 433 Caredean Drive, Horsham, PA 19044-1396. Main Phone: 215-823-6050
Housing Assistance and Support for Philadelphia Veterans
Recent reports indicate that in Philadelphia, veterans make up a portion of the unhoused population, with ongoing efforts to provide support. For instance, the Philadelphia Housing Authority regularly partners with the VA through programs like HUD-VASH to provide housing vouchers and support services to homeless veterans. According to a March 2024 report, 100 HUD-VASH vouchers were secured to assist unhoused veterans in the city.
The City of Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services coordinates services for individuals experiencing homelessness in the city, including veterans. If you are a veteran in Philadelphia facing housing insecurity, please reach out to these resources for immediate assistance.
At Hill & Ponton, we specialize in legal representation for veterans at risk of homelessness or unemployment. If you’re a disabled veteran who’s been denied or underrated by the VA, contact our VA lawyers today for a free case evaluation.