When the VA denies your disability claim or assigns a rating that doesn’t reflect the real impact of your condition, you still have options. With the right legal support, you can challenge that decision and fight for the full compensation you’ve earned through your service.
At Hill & Ponton, VA disability law is our sole focus. Our VA-accredited attorneys understand the claims and appeals process inside and out: what evidence the VA requires, how to navigate the paperwork, and how to build a strong case that gets results.
Our goal is to make sure you and your family receive the support and recognition you deserve. Whether your condition was caused by your service or has worsened since your last evaluation, we’re ready to fight for you, with no upfront fees.
Our Legal Services
- Disability Compensation: We work to ensure veterans in St. Louis receive every dollar they’ve earned (including any back pay owed) by helping them secure the full VA disability compensation they deserve.
- VA Disability Appeals: If you’ve received a denial or believe your disability rating is too low, we handle the VA appeals process from start to finish. Our team dives into your VA file, helps you collect new medical records or expert opinions, and builds a strong case to correct the VA’s mistake and secure a proper rating.
- Increased Compensation: If your service-connected condition has worsened, you may qualify for a higher disability rating. We help veterans pursue increased compensation that reflects their current health status.
- Special Monthly Compensation: Veterans facing severe disabilities, such as being housebound or needing daily assistance due to loss of limbs, paralysis, or blindness, may be eligible for additional compensation through SMC.
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability: Even if your VA rating isn’t 100%, if your service-connected disabilities prevent you from maintaining full-time employment, you could still qualify for full compensation. We help document your work limitations and fight for your right to TDIU benefits.
- DIC and Survivor Benefits: Have you lost a loved one due to a service-connected condition? We assist surviving spouses, children, and parents in obtaining Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and other benefits.
Disability Ratings and Compensation
Your VA disability rating directly affects how much monthly, tax-free compensation you receive from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Ratings are issued in 10% increments, ranging from 10% to 100%, with higher ratings reflecting more serious service-connected disabilities and resulting in larger payments.
As of now, here are the monthly compensation rates for a single veteran with no dependents:
- 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
Veterans with dependents (spouses, children, or parents) qualify for even higher payments and the rates are adjusted annually for inflation. You can estimate your full compensation using the VA disability calculator.
Veterans in St. Louis also receive Missouri state benefits, such as property tax credits, vehicle sales tax exemptions, and permit-free hunting privileges for veterans rated 60% or higher. When combined with your federal VA compensation, these programs can provide substantial financial relief for you and your family.
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Toxic Exposure and Contaminated Military Sites
The St. Louis area has a long and well-documented history of military-related toxic contamination, dating back to the Manhattan Project. Veterans who served at or near these installations, and residents who lived in affected communities, may qualify for VA disability compensation if they later developed health conditions linked to toxic exposure.
- Mallinckrodt Chemical Works (Downtown St. Louis) – From 1942 to 1957, this plant processed uranium for the U.S. nuclear weapons program under Manhattan Engineer District and Atomic Energy Commission contracts. Workers were routinely exposed to uranium dust at levels documented at up to 200 times what is permitted today. The site remains under federal cleanup through the Army Corps of Engineers FUSRAP program.
- Coldwater Creek (North St. Louis County) – Radioactive waste from uranium processing washed into Coldwater Creek and contaminated communities across Florissant, Hazelwood, and Black Jack. A 2025 study published in JAMA Network Open found that people who lived within one kilometer of the creek during childhood had significantly higher rates of radiosensitive cancers compared to those who lived farther away. Federal cleanup is ongoing and expected to continue for years.
- St. Louis Airport Storage Site (SLAPS) – Located near Lambert International Airport, this site was used from 1946 to store radioactive residues from Mallinckrodt on open ground, with materials remaining until their transfer in 1966. Contamination spread into surrounding soil and groundwater. The Army Corps of Engineers removed more than 600,000 cubic yards of contaminated material before completing remediation of this site in 2007.
- Weldon Spring Ordnance Works (St. Charles County) – About 30 miles west of St. Louis, this site was used for TNT production during World War II and later for uranium processing by the Atomic Energy Commission. Contaminants include uranium, thorium, radium, TNT, DNT, lead, and PCBs. The chemical plant remediation was completed in 2005, but groundwater restoration continues.
- Fort Leonard Wood – This active Army installation in south-central Missouri has confirmed PFAS contamination from firefighting foam (AFFF) used in training and response operations. Veterans stationed there may be at risk for cancers and other serious health conditions linked to PFAS chemicals.
If you served at one of these locations or lived in an affected community and were later diagnosed with a serious condition, you may qualify for VA disability compensation, even if your initial claim was denied. At Hill & Ponton, we’ve helped thousands of veterans establish toxic exposure links, connect their health conditions to their service, and secure the benefits they’ve earned.
What It Takes to Win a VA Disability Appeal
Winning a VA disability claim requires proving it in a way that meets the VA’s strict standards. Every disability claim is evaluated based on three key elements:
- A Current Medical Diagnosis – You need an official diagnosis from a licensed healthcare provider, either a VA doctor or a private physician. This confirms that you’re currently suffering from the condition you’re claiming.
- Evidence of an In-Service Event, Illness, or Exposure – The VA requires documentation that something occurred during your military service that could have caused or aggravated your condition. This might include a documented injury, a deployment-related illness, or exposure to toxins.
- A Medical Nexus Linking the Two – A doctor must provide a medical opinion stating that your current condition is “at least as likely as not” connected to your military service. This link, called a nexus, is one of the most challenging parts of a claim and a common reason for denials.
We help gather and organize your medical records, pinpoint service-related incidents, and collaborate with medical experts who can connect your diagnosis to your time in uniform, giving your claim the best possible chance for approval.
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When Do You Need a VA Disability Lawyer?
Starting a VA disability claim on your own is common, but if your claim gets denied, or if you receive a rating that doesn’t come close to reflecting the severity of your condition, experienced legal guidance can make a real difference in the outcome of your case.
Our law firm is built exclusively around helping veterans navigate the VA system, which is often confusing, technical, and frustrating. Whether it’s a lack of medical evidence or a decision that doesn’t make sense, our attorneys know how to dig into the details and turn the case around. We’ve represented thousands of veterans across the country and we’re proud to serve the St. Louis veteran community as well.
Hill & Ponton tracks every update in VA law, from policy shifts to court rulings, and uses that knowledge to fight for everything you deserve: increased ratings, Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), and Special Monthly Compensation, when applicable.
If your condition impacts your life more than your current rating shows, or if your claim was flat-out denied, we’re ready to step in. There’s no cost to you unless we win your case. If you’re feeling stuck or unsure after a VA decision, let us help you move forward.
Local Resources for Veterans in the St. Louis Area
St. Louis and the surrounding metro area are served by multiple VA and government resources dedicated to supporting veterans with healthcare, benefits, and claims assistance.
- VA Regional Office (St. Louis) – The Charles F. Prevedel Federal Building handles VA claims, appeals, and benefits inquiries for the region. Multiple Veterans Service Organizations (DAV, VFW, American Legion, AMVETS) have offices inside this building. Address: 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63132. Phone: 800-827-1000
- Missouri Veterans Commission (St. Louis Office) – State-level service officers located at the VA Regional Office who help veterans file claims, gather evidence, and navigate the VA system at no cost. Phone: 314-421-8676
- St. Louis County Veterans Program – Provides claims assistance, benefits navigation, and resource referrals for veterans and their families in St. Louis County. Phone: 314-615-4038
- St. Louis Vet Center – Offers confidential readjustment counseling, PTSD treatment, military sexual trauma support, and transition assistance for combat veterans. Address: 287 North Lindbergh Boulevard, Creve Coeur, MO 63141. Phone: 314-894-5739
- John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital – Full-service VA medical center offering inpatient and outpatient care, surgery, mental health, and PTSD treatment. Address: 915 North Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63106. Phone: 314-652-4100
- Jefferson Barracks VA Medical Center – Provides spinal cord injury care, blind rehabilitation, extended care, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. Address: 1 Jefferson Barracks Drive, St. Louis, MO 63125. Phone: 314-652-4100
Veterans Housing Assistance and Support
Veterans in St. Louis who are facing homelessness or housing insecurity have access to a strong network of support through both VA-led initiatives and dedicated community organizations. These services are designed to provide not just emergency shelter, but long-term solutions that restore stability and dignity.
Veterans can access case management, health care, transitional housing, and permanent housing support through the VA St. Louis Health Care System. Programs include Health Care for Homeless Veterans, Grant and Per Diem transitional housing, and HUD-VASH, which combines HUD housing vouchers with VA case management and supportive services. The St. Louis Housing Authority has issued approximately 300 HUD-VASH vouchers since 2008, connecting veterans with safe and affordable housing.
St. Louis is also home to several organizations dedicated to helping veterans secure stable housing. The St. Patrick Center (800 North Tucker Boulevard) runs the VETS Program for veteran employment and reintegration, and provides rapid re-housing through its Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. Missouri Veterans Endeavor (MOVE) offers long-term supportive housing in 21 two-bedroom apartments with 24/7 staff support, case management, and financial assistance for veterans and their families.
At Hill & Ponton, we understand how closely housing instability is tied to access to disability compensation. If your benefits claim has been delayed, denied, or under-evaluated, our VA lawyers may be able to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.