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Hill & Ponton, P.A.
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Veterans Benefits Book

A guide to navigating through the VA system to get your veteran’s benefits.

Get a FREE Copy of the Book

Complete the form below and we will email or mail you a copy of the 76-page book valued at $17.99 for FREE.

Written by Matthew D. Hill

In 1992 Hill and Ponton began representing veterans before the VA. Matthew Hill focuses his practice on VA service connected compensation. He is a nationally sought after speaker on VA compensation issues. He has been elected to and serves on the board of directors of the National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates (NOVA). He has authored several books on VA benefits. Mr. Hill represents hundreds of veterans directly but he wrote this book in hopes of helping the thousands of other claimants trying to navigate through the complex VA benefits process and to avoid common, yet costly mistakes.

Praise from Fellow Veterans

My name is Vickie Clark.  My husband, Robert Clark, was diagnosed with liver cancer back in March 2009.  He was a Vietnam veteran.  I had been telling my husband back in 1992 to apply for VA benefits but he would not do anything.  Finally, when he got diagnosed I decided to take action.  I was looking on the Internet for a law firm that specializes in veterans benefits.  I called the law office of Hill and Ponton.  After Hill and Ponton contacted me, they were so professional and so caring.  I had no idea how to do any paperwork and so I hired them.  I can tell you that I did not do anything, they took care of everything.  If I know of any veterans, I have referred to their office.  Thank you so much Hill and Ponton for all the work you have done to get my deceased husband’s benefits.

Vickie Clark

Atty. Hill,  I want to let you know how much I really appreciate your diligence and patience concerning this matter. It was very stressful and frustrating for me and I did not want it to go on any longer than necessary. Without your assistance this may have taken forever. Again, thank you and I pray that our paths will cross because it would be great to thank you in person.

John B.

Mrs. Ponton words cannot describe what I feel this moment!! I’ve waited TWENTY TWO years for this!!!
(recovery for veteran: retro of $402,000 and monthly benefits of 100% permanent and total).

Ron C.

Nov 26 2014

I wanted to write and tell you and your staff how grateful I am about getting my claim approved by the VA.

Words can not express how I feel about how you help me.  My husband and I fought the VA for years and kept getting denied and he passed away and that is when I found you and you steeped right in and took over I would have not been able to have went on with the VA if not for you and your staff.  So again I give my Thanks and Apreciation to you and if anyone needs help for VA claims I recommend you highly and will be certain I will give them your number to call

Sincerely

Shirely E Norris-Austin

Shirley E Norris-Austin

Again Carol, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your awesome professional efforts in this case, I couldn’t have won it without your help.

Steve Z.

I am a Veteran with 22 years in the system,  I had handled my own claims from the start and had did well in the system until I became unable to work and applied for Total Disability Individual Unemployability with a rating of 80% combined, After 6 years of back and forth with the Regional Office, I selected the Office of Hill and Ponton by researching Attorneys at the Board of Appeals Website,  When I entered specific issues in my claim,  Mr Hill’s name  appeared multiple times as an Attorney who had successfully cleared other veterans cases similar to mine, most without a remand or further administrative delays.  It was clear that this firm is a step ahead of many others.  From initial contact through final development for the Board of Appeals I was kept informed and involved.  Because I am located 2 states away from any of their offices the entire process was handled by email and phone conference,  Many times veterans find themselves talking with Paralegals and begin to feel lost when questions go unanswered pending the Attorney review, With Mr Hill and the firm in general,  if a precise answer is not available immediately that is what you will be told and shortly thereafter a conference will be scheduled to discuss those items.  In the conferences you are given the options available and a recommended course of action. Sometimes the recommended course may not seem the best or it may be difficult to accomplish or accept as correct,  However Mr Hill has the legal knowledge and knows how to best address your claim.  His recommendations and professional assistance in my case not only won on appeal but resulted in a new Service connection for a condition diagnosed the first time 16 years after I left the Army.  The final results for me came down to this,  I am now 90% combined SC TDIU total and Permanent and  my only regret is that I did not contact this firm sooner for help,  I waited 6 years to long.  I have and will continue to refer veterans to the firm of Hill and Ponton for one simple reason,  With them you have a strong and competent voice at the VA you are not alone.

Wendell E. Pruitt
SFC, USA/USAR

Veteran

Wendell E. Pruitt

Mr. Hill, thank you so much for your assistance over the last couple of years.  You staff is one of the finest that I have ever encountered. Mrs. Ponton  and her staff were fantastic in assisting me in receiving  my benefits due to me.  She overcame hurdles placed in front of her, but she never wavered in achieving results.  Thank you for all of your work on my case.  Wayne C. Etheridge

Wayne C. Etheridge

I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR ALL OF YOUR ATTENTION TO MY VALID CLAIMS, MR HILL esq, an Shannon Brewer esq.  are  wonderful, effective, great attorney’s.  Mary also is wonderful, you always returned my calls , or e mailed me with advice, or direction that you were taking, always talked to me through the entire process an I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR BEING THERE WHEN I NEEDED HELP.    You have a well run, wonderful firm.   Sincerely,   Harry Hydreos

Harry Hydreos

Special thanks to Lawyer Matthew and his wonderful staff. The advertisement which states ” You work on getting well, we will work on getting you the  disability benefits you deserve”!  Hearing this advertisement eased my mind and I began to relax concentrating on getting  better. Lawyer Matthew and the team of personnel worked diligently on getting all needed documents. Helping me to understand exactly what medical/ medication records were needed to help my case. My family and I thank you for your determination, diligent attention to detail and professionalism. Hill & Ponton team you are my number one choice and I and my family will let everyone know that your service will help them when they need it most.

Rosie Baker & family

Thank you sincerely

Rosie Baker

When i first submitted a claim in 2010, I had little to no knowledge on how the VA disability claims system worked. I asked questions from other Vets. and always got different answers for the same questions. I eventually started researching information online once i knew what i needed to look for . But if i had a book as this one that i have read : The Road To VA Compensation Benefit, This would have made thing much easier for me. This book is by far the best i have came across, Because it contains all the terminology  that VA uses, But defines them so that Veterans can understand them. In my honest opinion every Vet. should have this book in there possession as tool.

Greg H.

Mr. Hill.  Thank you very much for the Book.  As a Navy Veteran, and a Veterans Service Officer, this a book each and every veteran and there dependents must read, and have.  I wish I had more of your books to pass out to veterans daily, as majority of the veterans do not have internet access.

If you can, mail me some books, and I will pass them to those in need.

Louis Morales
PreviousNext

Testimonials

"I felt human again"
For all you Vietnam vets, listen up. Hill and Ponton are there for you. They specialize in disability compensation and after over 5 yrs of dealing with the VA, Hill and Ponton got the VA to respond in 6 months. I went from 30% to 100%. I know the VA …
Ronald Barnes Sr. (Jan 2019)
"You can not do better than these folks at Hill & Ponton"
Listen to me, when I tell you that Carol Ponton and her team is the best. For over 45 years I struggled to get the VA to just look at the facts. Well Carol and crew gathered the facts, even when it was at their expense for outside doctors, they made …
Gordon Smith Vietnam Combat Veteran (Nov 2018)
"This is such a welcome relief"
Thank you, Mary.  This is such a welcome relief.  I truly appreciate all your efforts and that of Attorney Mark and those who assisted.  Thank you all. Bless you all for the service you provide.
Deborah Lewis (Oct 2018)
Singlehandedly, the best book written about PTSD and the VA
Your PTSD book is, singlehandedly, the best book written on what to expect and how to successfully file claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs. These books are tremendous at mapping out the process and breaking down criterium for disabilitie…
Kyle Lejeune (Aug 2018)
Highly recommend
I’d like to thank you & the staff of hill & ponton for helping me win my disability case. I appreciate everything you & the staff have done. I would highly recommend hill & ponton to anyone. Thank you so much.
Patricia Nappi (Aug 2018)
Thank you Hill & Ponton!!!
Thank you to the staff and Attorney Shelly Mark, of Hill & Ponton, for the exceptional handling of my Social Security claim. Paralegal, Kimberly Croussore, was extremely patient, professional, and promptly answered all my questions and concerns du…
Darcy Wigfall (June 2018)
Don’t go it alone
I just wanted to let you know how much my wife and I have appreciated your professional guidance through this very complicated ordeal of filing my claim with the V.A. Honestly, there were times during this process that I felt like giving up; howev…
R. Hiers (May 2018)
My case was very important to them
I would like to thank Mary Ersland, who handle my case for disability. She was very professional and was always there to answer my questions by email or by calling me. I would recommend Hill and Ponton to anyone who is looking to file for disability.…
Michael Nappi (May 2018)
Very Helpful
Very helpful with case. Communicative and willing to answer all questions.
Christopher Marrow (Mar 2018)
Top Notch Professional
From day one Mr. Hill and his staff made me feel that I was not just a number, but a person they could help. The professionalism that he and his staff showed was beyond excellent. They made it a point to keep me updated so I always knew what the stat…
Gene (May 2018)
"Exceeded all my expectations"
My VA Settlement, as a result of your handling of my case, exceeded all my expectations. I have told the people at Lecanto VA office of my success. I have also told friends that are veterans your name and I am sure it will be passed on. My contact w…
Roger Rupp (Mar 2018)
"They liberated us from hopelessness by delivering results"
My father served as an Army Medic and a member of the 82nd Airborne during World War II. Like many of his fellow brothers who served, he carried the memories, scars, and shadows of his war experiences in silence. Up until two years ago, he had never …
Trish Poe (Mar 2018)
"Thank you Hill and Ponton!"
Hill and Ponton is a very professional, diligent law firm! They have been very patient with me and have helped me so much in getting the benefits I deserve! Sara Hill and her colleagues are very well educated and knowledgeable when dealing with the V…
Allen N. (Mar 2018)
"I highly recommend that you retain the law firm of Hill and Ponton"
To All Concerned veteran’s who are seeking compensation for any and all problems relating to your service I highly recommend that you retain the law firm of Hill and Ponton. I can personally attest to the help and guidance they provided me with my cl…
George H. (Mar 2018)
"What they did do, is get me a 100% rating"

If only I had listened to my wife 20 plus years ago.

I was in Ubon, Thailand in the late ’60’s. I worked on the flight line and lived right on the base perimeter. I was diagnosed with diabetics on a Wednesday and Heart disease on the following Frida…

Gary Hirt (Jan 2018)

Featured Guides

  • DA NANG HARBOR CASE
  • PTSD Guide

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Featured Posts

  • Video Blog – Buddy Statements for Service ConnectionJuly 27, 2018 - 4:15 pm
  • Video Blog – How to Make Buddy StatementsJuly 13, 2018 - 4:07 pm
  • VA Changes Appeals System; Is YOUR Claim Ready?June 19, 2018 - 2:35 pm
  • VA Disability Benefits – Back to BasicsApril 19, 2018 - 4:57 pm
  • How Can I Get VA Disability Benefits If My Discharge Is Not Honorable?April 5, 2018 - 12:31 pm
  • I Filed a Claim for TDIU – Can I Still Work?November 14, 2017 - 4:02 pm

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Office Locations

Please call for an appointment before visiting:

Mail Processing Center: P.O. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721

Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801
Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720

Satellite Offices
Melbourne, FL: 100 Rialto Place, Suite 700 Melbourne, FL 32901
Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006
Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098
Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025
San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. 203, San Jose, CA 95134
Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Center Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ  85004
Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701
Chicago, IL: 55 E. Monroe Street, Suite 3800, Chicago, IL, 60603
Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201
Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241
Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114
Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235
Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232
Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113
Pittsburgh, PA: 201 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235
Charleston, SC: 4000 S. Faber Place Drive, Suite 300, Charleston, SC, 29405
Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225
Seattle, WA: 801 Second Avenue Seattle, Suite 800, Seattle, WA, 98104

Featured Posts

  • Video Blog – Buddy Statements for Service ConnectionJuly 27, 2018 - 4:15 pm
  • Video Blog – How to Make Buddy StatementsJuly 13, 2018 - 4:07 pm
  • VA Changes Appeals System; Is YOUR Claim Ready?June 19, 2018 - 2:35 pm
  • VA Disability Benefits – Back to BasicsApril 19, 2018 - 4:57 pm
  • How Can I Get VA Disability Benefits If My Discharge Is Not Honorable?April 5, 2018 - 12:31 pm
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Appeal Your Blue Water Claim

Let us focus on your claim; you focus on your health. Your claim is too important to go at it alone and it’s difficult to trust that the VA will do the right thing on their own.

Get started now! Complete the information below for your FREE EVALUATION.

  • If you have already submitted your email address please use the Contact Us form to reach out to us or call us at 1-888-477-2363. https://www.hillandponton.com/contact/
  • Please select the claim type pertaining to your service.

Ships Included In Possible Upcoming Compensation

Don’t see your ship on the list? Click the red button below to contact us.

In this section, you’ll see we have them broken down into two primary categories:

  1. Vessels that operated primarily or exclusively on the inland waterways
  2. Vessels that operated temporarily on Vietnam’s inland waterways or docked to the shore

Throughout both of these you’ll find individual ships named.

Vessels that operated primarily or exclusively on the inland waterways

  • All vessels of Inshore Fire Support [IFS] Division 93
  • All vessels with the designation LST [Landing Ship, Tank]
  • All vessels with the designation LCVP [Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel]
  • All vessels with the designation PCF [Patrol Craft, Fast], also called Swift Boats
  • All vessels with the designation PBR [Patrol Boat, River], also called River Patrol Boats
  • All U.S. Coast Guard Cutters with hull designation WPB and WHEC

USS Antelope (PG-86)
USS Asheville (PG-84) patrol gunboat
USS Askari (ARL-30)
USS Ault (DD-698) (User-Added)
USS Belle Grove (LSD-2)
USS Benewah (APB-35)
USS Bexar (APA-237)
USS Brule (AKL-28)
USS Canon PG-90)
USS Carronade (IFS 1)
USS Clarion River (LSMR 409)
USS Colleton (APB-36)
USS Comstock (LSD-45)
USS Crockett (PG-88)
USS Elkhorn (AOG-7) (User-Added)
USS Fox (DLG 33)
USS Francis River (LSMR 525)
USS Gallo (PG-85)
USS Genesee (AOG-8)
USS Indra (ARL-37)
USS Kishwaukee AOG-9
USS Krishna (ARL-38)
USS Lowe (DE-325) (User-Added)
USS Marathon (PG-89)
USS Mark (AKL-12) [light cargo ship]
USS Mercer (APB-39)
USS Montrose (APA-212) [attack transport]
USS Nueces (APB-40)
USS Noxubee (AOG-56)
USS Okanogan (APA-210)
USS Patapsco (AOG-1) [gasoline tanker]
USS Ready (PG-87)
USS Satyr (ARL-23) [repair ship]
USS Sphinx (ARL-24)
USS Tombigbee (AOG-11)
USS Tortuga (LSD-261)
USS Tutuila (ARG-4) [repair ship]
USS White River (LSMR 536)
USS Winnemucca (YTS-785)

Barracks Barge (APL-26)
Barracks Barge (APL-30)

Floating Base Platform (YRBM-17)
Floating Base Platform (YRBM-20)

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Vessels that operated temporarily on Vietnam’s inland waterways or docked to the shore

USS Basilone (DD-824)
USS Black (DD-666)
USS Buck (DD-761)
USS Bolster (ARS-38)
USS Boxer (LPH-4)
USS Card (ACV-11)
USS Carter Hall (LSD-31)
USS Canberra (CAG-2)
USS Cleveland (LPD-7)
USS Conway (DD-507)
USS Dubuque (LPD-8)
USS Duluth (LPD-6)
USS Dyess (DD-880)
USS Epperson (DD-719)
USS Fiske (DD-842)
USS Hamner (DD-718)
USS Henrico (APA-45)
USS Ingersoll (DD-652)
USS John W. Thomason (DD-760)
USS Joseph Strauss (DDG-161)
USS Mahan (DLG-11)
USS Mansfield (DD-728)
USS Maury (AGS-16)
USS Montrose (APA-212)
USS Newell (DER-322)
USS Niagara Falls (AFS-3)
USS Okanogan (APA-220)
USS Orleck (DD-886)
USS Perkins (DD-877)
USS Picking (DD-685)
USS Preston (DD-795)
USS Providence (CLG-6)
USS Richard E. Kraus (DD-849)
USS Southerland (DD-743)
USS Sproston (DD-577)
USS Talladega (APA-208)
USS Warrington (DD-843)
USS Waddell (DDG-241)

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