Many veterans in Portland and across the country are unfortunately not receiving the full benefits they are entitled to or are unaware of the valuable resources available to them. If that’s you, Hill & Ponton can help.
We are VA-accredited attorneys who have successfully guided thousands of veterans nationwide through the complex VA appeals process to secure the benefits they rightfully earned.
Our practice is exclusively dedicated to assisting disabled veterans in obtaining their compensation. If you were denied or underrated by the VA, we can fight on your behalf to win everything you’re owed.
Our Legal Services for Veterans in Portland, Oregon
At Hill & Ponton, we offer dedicated legal support for a range of VA disability matters. Our focus is on ensuring Portland veterans receive the maximum benefits they are entitled to through the appeals process.
- Appeals for Disability Compensation: We fight to help veterans secure the monthly tax-free payments they deserve for injuries or diseases contracted or aggravated during active military service. If your VA disability claim has been denied, we can help you navigate the appeals process. This includes Supplemental Claims, Higher-Level Reviews, and Board Appeals. We understand the intricacies of each lane in the VA’s decision review process and will help you choose the best path forward for your specific situation.
- Increased Ratings: If your service-connected condition has worsened, or if you believe your initial rating did not accurately reflect the severity of your disability, we can help you file for an increased rating.
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): We assist surviving spouses, children, and parents of service members or veterans who died from a service-related injury or disease.
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): This additional benefit is for veterans with certain specific and severe disabilities, such as the loss of a limb, blindness, or the need for aid and attendance. We can help determine if your situation qualifies for SMC.
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU): If your service-connected disabilities prevent you from maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may be eligible for TDIU, which pays at the 100% disability rate even if your combined schedular rating is less.
Winning Your Claim
Many veterans in Portland and across the nation find their initial VA disability claims denied. Common reasons for denial include insufficient medical evidence, lack of a clear link between the disability to military service, or incomplete paperwork.
Understanding the VA appeals process is crucial. It’s not just about refiling; it’s about strategically addressing the reasons for the initial denial and presenting a stronger case.
What Is the VA Looking for?
- Current Diagnosed Disability: You must have a current physical or mental health condition diagnosed by a medical professional.
- In-Service Event, Injury, or Illness: There must be evidence of an event, injury, or illness that occurred during your military service.
- Connection Between Current Disability and Service: This is often the most critical and challenging part. You must establish a medical link, or “nexus,” connecting your current disability to the in-service event, injury, or illness. A strong nexus often requires a medical opinion from a qualified professional.
Our Portland VA disability lawyers specialize in developing the evidence and arguments needed to satisfy these requirements on appeal.
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Proving Toxic Exposure Claims
Many veterans were exposed to harmful substances during their service that can lead to serious health problems later in life. Environmental investigations found that several military bases in Portland and other Oregon locations have been contaminated with PFAS – including PFOA and PFOS, the “forever chemicals” linked to kidney cancer, testicular cancer and prostate cancer.
- Portland Air National Guard Base: The base has a long history in Portland, evolving from early aviation activities, and many veterans in the Portland area may have served with the 142nd Wing or other Guard/Reserve units stationed there. PANG is a known site of PFAS contamination from Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), a firefighting foam that was used for training exercises and emergency responses.
- Camp Rilea (Warrenton, Oregon): Located about 90 miles northwest of Portland, it served as a training site for the Oregon Army and Air National Guard, as well as other military units. Like many long-standing military training facilities, Camp Rilea has a history of contamination, primarily with PFAS.
Beyond Portland and the state of Oregon, dangerous chemicals are a concern at military facilities nationwide, with veterans potentially exposed to various toxins from PFAS to Agent Orange, PCBs or VOCs. If you believe your health condition is linked to military toxic exposure, regardless of where you served, Hill & Ponton may be able to assist you in obtaining compensation.
When Should I Get a VA Disability Lawyer?
You can pursue your VA claim independently or with one of Portland’s local VSOs. However, when it comes to appeals, the specialized knowledge of a VA-accredited attorney is often essential. If your claim was denied, the VA made a mistake, or your appeal is particularly complicated, VA lawyers offer unparalleled assistance. They’re uniquely equipped to navigate the ever-changing landscape of VA law and procedures.
Benefits of Working with Hill & Ponton for Your Appeal
- Choosing the Best Path: The VA appeals system has multiple pathways (Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, Board Appeal). Our Portland VA lawyers will determine the best strategy for your specific case.
- Legal Expertise: Appealing a VA decision often involves intricate legal arguments and a deep understanding of VA case law and regulations. Attorneys are trained to identify legal errors in VA decisions and build strong, evidence-based arguments.
- Evidence Development: Lawyers can help identify what specific evidence is missing or needs to be strengthened, and guide you in obtaining it, such as crucial medical opinions or buddy statements.
- Higher Success Rates: While not a guarantee, experienced attorneys who specialize in VA appeals often have a strong track record of successfully overturning denials and securing increased benefits for their clients.
What Is the Success Rate of Our Portland VA Disability Attorneys?
At Hill & Ponton, we are proud of our track record. Nationally, our firm has a 96% success rate in the cases we take, proving our dedication, experience, and understanding of the VA system.
We specialize in VA appeals, where cases are often more complex and we can make the most difference. We thoroughly prepare and fiercely advocate for our clients, bringing the same level of commitment to every Portland veteran we represent. Don’t take our word for it, see what our clients say here.
Disability Ratings and Compensation
A VA disability rating is a percentage (from 0% to 100%, in 10% increments) assigned to a service-connected disability based on its severity. A higher rating means more substantial monthly compensation and may open doors to other benefits.
If a veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities, the VA uses a specific formula to arrive at a combined disability rating. Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your combined rating and potential benefits.
Here’s what a Portland veteran who is single and has no dependents currently receives, for each 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 the monthly compensation, disabled Portland veterans also receive federal VA benefits and Oregon state benefits, depending on their rating.
Hill & Ponton can help you get the highest rating, compensation and other benefits you qualify for.
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Resources for Portland Veterans
Beyond legal assistance for your VA appeal, Portland offers a variety of resources to support its more than 22,000 veterans and their families.
Veteran Assistance
VA Regional Office (VARO) – Portland: 100 SW Main Street, Floor 2, Portland, OR 97204. This office processes VA disability claims and pension applications for Oregon veterans. While you typically interact with the VA through mail, online portals, or the national call center for claim-specific inquiries, this is the physical location of the regional benefits office. Phone: 800-827-1000 (National VA Call Center)
Portland Vet Center: Offers confidential help for veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting. Services include readjustment counseling for depression, PTSD, military sexual trauma (MST), bereavement counseling, and family counseling. Address: 1505 NE 122nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97230. Phone: 503-688-5361
VA Healthcare
Portland VA Medical Center (VAMC): Provides primary and specialty care, mental health care, surgical services, homeless veteran care, and more. Address: 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road, Portland, OR 97239-2964. Phone: 503-220-8262
Portland VA Clinic (Community Resource and Referral Center – CRRC): Specifically provides services for Veterans who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, including housing placement, mental health, primary care, and social work. Address: 308 Southwest 1st Avenue, Lawrence Building, Suite 155, Portland, OR 97204-3432. Phone: 503-808-1256
Vancouver VA Medical Center (Washington State, but serves Portland metro): 1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661. Phone: 360-759-1901
Housing Assistance & Support for Veterans in Portland, Oregon
The 1400 homeless veterans in Oregon, as well as other veterans facing housing insecurity, have multiple resources dedicated to them. In Portland, healthcare and support are offered by the Portland VA Clinic (CRRC) or the VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans program.
Portland veterans can also access the HUD-VASH Program and Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) – a VA program that funds community-based organizations to provide supportive services to very low-income veteran families residing in or transitioning to permanent housing. These services can include case management, assistance with obtaining VA benefits, and temporary financial assistance for rent or utilities.
For legal assistance at no upfront cost, please contact us to get a free case evaluation. If you’re a disabled veteran in Portland and feel the VA has wrongly denied or underrated your claim, our VA-accredited disability lawyers are here to help.