VA Disability Lawyers Proudly Serving Veterans in Texas

Legal Services for Our Texas Veterans

• Filing and managing VA benefits appeals. Our approach involves examining old decisions, retrieving additional service records, enlisting supportive medical opinions, assembling a thorough legal brief and submitting everything on time. 
• Requests for rating increases. Your condition may get worse over time, leading to the need for a higher rating. We file the necessary paperwork, coordinate medical re-evaluations and present evidence that reflects your current health status. 
• Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). Veterans unable to secure gainful work because of service-related conditions may qualify for TDIU. 
• Claims involving toxic exposure. Military service often involves exposure to hazardous materials. We research possible contaminants, identify credible sources and link documented ailments to those exposures. 
• Guidance on secondary conditions. An existing service-connected disability may trigger a related condition. Our team of VA disability lawyers in Texas can explore those secondary issues and show their connection to your original injury or illness. 

You Could Also Be Entitled to These State Benefits

• Property tax exemptions – Veterans with service-connected disabilities can qualify for significant tax relief. Those rated at 100% may receive a total exemption, which reduces the burden of homeownership.
• Hazlewood Act education benefits – Qualified Texas veterans and their family members can enjoy up to 150 hours of tuition exemptions at state public colleges thanks to the Hazlewood Act. Coverage applies to undergraduate and graduate programs, making higher education more affordable and helping you upskill in an uncertain economy. 
• Veterans Land Board housing assistance – VLB programs give you reduced-interest home loans, land purchase options and grants for property improvements. Some Texas veterans use these resources to finance new construction or secure long-term care support. 
• Veterans’ employment preference – Texas law gives hiring priority to veterans at many state and local agencies. Some offices give you specialized job training, continuing education, targeted career counseling and access to networking events to smooth the transition into civilian positions. See why Texas ranks among the best states for disabled veterans to live. 

VA Lawyers and Legal Resources Near You

When Should I Get a VA Disability Lawyer?

Hiring a VA disability lawyer is most beneficial when you need to appeal a denied claim or seek an increase in your disability rating. While many veterans handle initial claims on their own or with the help of Veterans Service Officers (VSOs), legal representation becomes crucial in more complex situations where expertise in navigating the VA’s appeals process can significantly improve your chances of success. 

Advantages of Working with an Attorney for Appeals

• Strategy tailored to missed deadlines or overlooked evidence
• Thorough representation if your appeal proceeds to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals
• Readiness to adapt if new regulations arise mid-case
• Ability to frame your case around evolving regulations and recent VA rulings

Appeals lie at the core of Hill & Ponton’s practice. Some veterans we work with discover new evidence or realize their disabilities were underrated only after a denial or low rating. Our focused knowledge streamlines the process and removes the guesswork that leads to frustration.

VA Disability for Toxic Exposure

The VA will not approve compensation unless they see a clear connection between your current condition and an in-service event. The same principle applies to physical injuries, mental health conditions and exposures to toxins.

Many Texas veterans served in locations where hazards like burn pits or contaminated water were common. Establishing the nexus in these claims can be challenging, but our attorneys can help obtain relevant medical opinions and records. 

Toxic Exposure Sites in Texas

Veterans stationed at military facilities across Texas may have been exposed to harmful toxins. Whether through environmental contamination, hazardous material or unsafe disposal practices, these exposures could have long-term health impacts. Some key sites associated with potential toxic exposure are: 

• Reese Air Force Base 
• Sheppard Air Force Base 
• Dyess Air Force Base 
• Laughlin Air Force Base 
• Grand Prairie Armed Forces Reserve Complex 
• Randolph Air Force Base 
• Joint Base San Antonio 
• Lackland Air Force Base 
• Naval Air Station Corpus Christi 
• El Campo Training Site 
• Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant 

Even if you were not stationed at a known contaminated site in Texas, if your service in another state or overseas exposed you to dangerous substances you could qualify for compensation. Our lawyers are prepared to assist you in proving the connection between your service history and your current medical condition.

Housing Assistance and Support for Texas Veterans

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 4,103 veterans in Texas were identified as experiencing homelessness during the 2023 Point-in-Time count. While progress has been made, thousands of Texas veterans still face housing insecurity across the state.

The VA, in partnership with community-based organizations and the Texas Veterans Commission, offers several programs and resources to address this crisis. These include HUD-VASH housing vouchers, the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, and local initiatives focused on prevention, rapid re-housing, and long-term supportive housing. Veterans in need can connect with their local VA Medical Center, Community Resource and Referral Centers, or the Texas Veterans Commission for help accessing these services.

At Hill & Ponton, we prioritize veterans facing housing instability or unemployment. Contact our Texas VA disability appeal lawyers today for a free case evaluation.