The VA claims process is complicated, and too often it leaves disabled veterans without the full benefits they deserve. Many veterans in Charles County are still living with service-connected conditions that the VA has overlooked or underrated. That’s where Hill & Ponton can help.
At Hill & Ponton, we specialize exclusively in veterans’ disability law. Our VA-accredited attorneys have handled thousands of successful appeals across Southern Maryland and nationwide.
If your claim has been denied, your rating doesn’t reflect your true limitations, or you believe you may qualify for TDIU or special monthly compensation, let us take a closer look. We win 96% of the cases we handle, and we’d be honored to fight for you too.
Our Legal Services for Veterans in Charles County
- Disability Compensation: We work with veterans to secure every dollar of tax-free disability pay they’re entitled to for injuries or illnesses connected to their service.
- Appeals After Denial: If the VA turns down your claim or assigns a rating that doesn’t reflect your struggles, we’ll map out the best appeal option, whether that’s a Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or taking your case before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
- Pursuing Higher Ratings: Conditions often worsen over time, or the VA may underestimate them in the first decision. We help veterans request rating increases so their benefits match the true impact on daily life.
- Benefits for Survivors: Spouses, children, and parents of veterans who passed from service-related conditions may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and other survivor benefits. We guide families through this process.
- TDIU (Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability): If your disabilities make steady work impossible, we can fight for TDIU, ensuring you’re paid at the 100% disability rate, even if your combined rating is lower.
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): Veterans facing the most serious service-connected conditions, such as loss of use of a limb or the need for daily aid, may qualify for SMC. This benefit goes beyond the regular 100% rating to account for additional hardships.
Why Choose Hill & Ponton?
- We’re Veteran Founded and Veteran Focused: Hill & Ponton was started by a veteran, and many of our team members know military life firsthand. That shared experience is what fuels our dedication to fighting for the rights of veterans in Waldorf, Charles County and across the country.
- Specialized in VA Appeals: We don’t split our attention across different kinds of law. VA disability appeals are all we do. Our attorneys stay on top of every change in VA law, rules, and procedures, so when your claim is denied or underrated, we’re ready to act.
- We build Strong Cases: A successful appeal takes more than paperwork – it requires strategy and evidence. We gather records, work with medical experts, and craft detailed arguments designed to prove your claim and secure the highest benefits possible.
- Results That Speak for Themselves: With a 96% success rate on the appeals we accept, our record reflects both our experience and our commitment. We’ve helped veterans nationwide win the compensation they deserve, and we’d be honored to fight for you here in Charles County. Read about the veterans we’ve helped and get in touch to find out how we can assist you.
Meeting the VA Requirements
It’s not unusual for veterans to get a denial after filing their first disability claim, often for various errors or because they’re missing the evidence linking their condition to their military service. To approve a claim, the VA generally looks for three key elements:
- A current diagnosis: You must have a documented physical or mental health condition.
- Proof from service: There needs to be evidence of an in-service event, injury, or illness that could have caused or aggravated your condition.
- A medical nexus: A qualified medical professional must link your current disability to your time in service, stating it is “at least as likely as not” related. This nexus is often the deciding factor in whether a claim succeeds or fails.
Our VA-accredited attorneys partner with medical experts to secure strong nexus letters and gather persuasive evidence that directly addresses the VA’s requirements. If your claim was denied for lack of a medical link, or if you’re unsure what to do next, we’ll put together a comprehensive case and fight tirelessly for the benefits you’ve earned.
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Proving Toxic Exposure Claims
Veterans in Southern Maryland may have been exposed to toxic substances during their military service, whether overseas or at installations within the state itself. Several military sites have documented environmental contamination that may impact veterans’ health and eligibility for VA disability benefits:
- Joint Base Andrews – Known PFAS contamination from decades of firefighting foam (AFFF) use, affecting groundwater and soil.
- Naval Air Station Patuxent River – Widespread PFAS contamination from AFFF training sites and petroleum releases, plus additional issues with solvents and hazardous waste disposal.
- Blossom Point Research Facility – U.S. Army research site near La Plata with contamination from explosives testing and hazardous waste disposal.
- Brandywine Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO) – Defense logistics site used for storage and disposal of military materials until 1987. It has undergone cleanup for PFAS found in soil and groundwater.
- Fort Washington Army Base – Formerly active installation with toxic concerns tied to historic training operations and hazardous material handling.
If you served at any of these military installations, or others around the country, and developed a disability related to toxic exposure, you could be entitled to compensation. Our VA-accredited attorneys proudly support veterans who fight to secure the benefits they deserve, with no upfront costs. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
How Much Is Your Disability Rating Worth?
When the VA recognizes a service-connected condition, it assigns a disability rating in 10% increments to reflect the severity of your health issue. That rating directly impacts the amount of monthly, tax-free compensation you receive.
For veterans with more than one disability, the VA doesn’t simply add the percentages together. Instead, it applies a special formula that often lowers the combined total. This is why pursuing the highest possible rating is so important: each percentage point can make a meaningful difference in your monthly benefits.
Below is the current compensation 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
There are added amounts for veterans with spouses, children, or dependent parents. You can calculate your total disability rating and compensation here.
Beyond federal compensation, veterans in Waldorf, Charles County and across Maryland may qualify for valuable state and local benefits, such as property tax relief, reduced tuition, housing support, and other programs designed to honor your service and ease the cost of living.
Work with us to get your benefits
Resources for Maryland Veterans Near Waldorf
Veteran Assistance
Charles County Department of Community Services (Veteran Resources): 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, MD 20646 | Phone: 301-934-9305
Prince George’s County Office of Veterans Affairs: Largo Government Center, Largo, MD (serves Brandywine, White Plains and Fort Washington) | Phone: 301-952-3904
Veterans Treatment Court: Prince George’s County District Court, Hyattsville, MD 20785
VA Healthcare
Prince George’s County Vet Center: 7905 Malcolm Road, Suite 101, Clinton, MD 20735 | Phone: 301-856-7173
Southern Prince George’s County VA Clinic: 5801 Allentown Road, Camp Springs, MD 20746
Washington DC VA Medical Center: 50 Irving Street NW, Washington, DC 20422 | Phone: 202-745-8000
Baltimore VA Medical Center: 10 North Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 | Phone: 410-605-7000
Housing Assistance and Support
Rising prices in Southern Maryland have left many disabled veterans and their families struggling to maintain stable housing. To address these challenges, local, state, and federal programs provide targeted support, including emergency shelter, rent assistance, and long-term housing solutions.
For veterans needing transitional housing and wraparound support, the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training (MCVET) in Baltimore serves as a key resource for all Maryland veterans, offering shelter, workforce training, counseling, and permanent housing placement. Closer to home, veterans in Waldorf, Brandywine, White Plains, and other nearby towns can connect with:
- Charles County Department of Community Services and the Housing Authority which assists with rental support and referrals for homeless veterans.
- Prince George’s County Office of Veterans Affairs, which provides housing resources, case management, and access to county programs for veterans in Brandywine.
- Local coordinated entry systems in both Charles and Prince George’s Counties, ensuring veterans at risk of homelessness are quickly connected to available shelters, rental aid, or long-term housing options.
At Hill & Ponton, we know housing instability can worsen when VA disability benefits are denied or veterans are underrated. If you’re struggling with this, our VA-accredited attorneys can fight for the compensation you’ve earned – at no upfront cost. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.