Are you a veteran in Washington D.C. struggling with a denied VA disability claim or an inadequate rating? You are not alone. Many veterans in our nation’s capital find themselves facing an uphill battle when trying to secure the VA benefits they rightfully earned.
At Hill & Ponton, we specialize in VA appeals. We step in when veterans have received a denial or an unsatisfactory rating and need dedicated legal advocates to fight for them. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless we win your appeal and you receive retroactive benefits.
We’re VA-accredited attorneys, and our firm was founded by a U.S. Navy veteran. This profound understanding of military service and its challenges fuels our dedication. For over 30 years, we have fought for thousands of disabled veterans nationwide, including many in the Washington D.C. area, to help them obtain the VA benefits they are entitled to. You bravely fought for our country – now we want to fight for you.
Our Legal Services for Washington D.C. Veterans
- Disability Compensation: This is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. We fight to ensure you receive the maximum compensation for your service-connected conditions.
- Appeals: If your VA disability claim has been denied, or if you disagree with any part of the VA’s decision, our attorneys are experts in navigating the VA appeals process. We have a deep understanding of how the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA), conveniently located right here in Washington D.C., handles these cases. We build strong, evidence-based arguments to challenge unfavorable decisions.
- Rating Increases: 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 increase. We know what evidence the VA requires to grant a higher disability rating.
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): We assist surviving spouses, children, and dependent parents of servicemembers who died on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, or veterans who died from their service-connected disabilities.
- Special Monthly Compensation1 (SMC): SMC is an additional tax-free benefit that can be paid to veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses, and parents. For veterans, SMC is a higher rate of compensation paid due to special2 circumstances such as the need for aid and attendance by another person or a specific disability, such as loss of use of one hand or leg.
- Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU): If your service-connected disabilities prevent you from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may be eligible for TDIU, which pays at the 100% disability rate, even if your combined disability rating is less than 100%. Our attorneys have extensive experience with these complex claims.
Disability Ratings and Compensation
A disability rating is a percentage assigned by the VA to represent the severity of your service-connected condition. Ratings range from 0% to 100%, in 10% increments.
If you have multiple service-connected disabilities, the VA uses a combined rating table (not simple addition) to determine your overall disability percentage. Calculate your combined rating here.
The VA determines monthly compensation amounts based on the disability rating and eligible dependents (e.g., spouse, children, dependent parents). This is what a single Washington D.C. veteran with no dependents receives:
- 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
When Should You Hire a VA Disability Lawyer?
While you can navigate the VA claims and appeals process on your own or with the help of a Veterans Service Organization (VSO), an experienced disability lawyer can be crucial in overturning unfavorable VA decisions and getting maximum compensation. Here’s what a dedicated VA lawyer can bring:
- Legal Expertise: VA law is complex and constantly changing. Accredited VA disability attorneys, like those at Hill & Ponton, have in-depth knowledge of VA regulations, case law, and procedures. This expertise is critical when developing legal arguments for an appeal. We stay current on procedural and regulatory changes.
- Evidence Development: Lawyers can identify what evidence is missing, help you understand how to obtain it (such as crucial medical opinions), and ensure it’s presented effectively to the VA.
- Strategic Approach: A lawyer will analyze why your claim was denied and develop a tailored strategy for your appeal, whether it’s a Higher-Level Review, a Supplemental Claim, or an appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA).
- Representation at Hearings: If your appeal goes to a BVA hearing (which can be held virtually, at a local VA office, or in person at the BVA in Washington D.C.), an attorney can represent you, present your case, and question witnesses.
- Higher Success Rates on Appeal: While general estimates for VA disability appeal success rates nationally range from approximately 34% to 50%, depending on the type of appeal, working with an experienced attorney can significantly improve your chances of a favorable outcome.
Hill & Ponton is proud of our 96% success rate for the VA disability appeal cases we accept nationwide. We are selective in the cases we take, allowing us to dedicate our full resources and expertise to meticulously developing each appeal. Read our clients’ stories to see the impact our work has.
Having What It Takes to Win VA Disability
The National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics reported 7,359 veterans receiving disability compensation in the District of Columbia at the end of 2023. But many veterans are still being denied by the VA.
The VA denies claims for various reasons, often boiling down to insufficient evidence connecting the disability to military service or a lack of proof of a current disability. Here’s what the VA looks for:
- A Current Diagnosed Disability: You must have a current physical or mental condition that is diagnosed by a medical professional.
- An In-Service Event, Injury, or Disease: There must be evidence of an event, injury, or illness that occurred while you were on active duty.
- A Medical Nexus: A medical professional must provide an opinion linking your current diagnosed disability to the in-service event, injury, or disease.
At Hill & Ponton, we meticulously review your case to ensure these requirements are met and effectively presented to the VA.
Get help with your appeal
We Can Win Toxic Exposure Claims
Many veterans develop health conditions years after their service due to exposure to hazardous materials. Veterans in Washington D.C. may have served at various locations with toxic exposure, including several military facilities in the region:
- Washington Navy Yard: This historic site has a documented history of asbestos use in its industrial operations and was designated an EPA Superfund site in 1998 due to various contaminants, including asbestos in soil and water. Cleanup efforts have been ongoing. Veterans who worked at the Washington Navy Yard, particularly in industrial or maintenance roles, may have been exposed.
- Fort Leslie J. McNair: As one of the oldest Army posts, buildings at Fort McNair may have historically contained asbestos, a common material in older military construction.
- Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling: JBAB has undergone environmental assessments and Air Force and Navy veterans who served there are at risk of disabilities from exposure to jet fuel, solvents, or other toxins.
- Other D.C. Area Military Installations: Veterans who served at Marine Barracks Washington, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, or were stationed at other facilities in the region could have encountered various environmental hazards.
If you served at any of these locations, or others, and have health conditions you believe are related to toxic exposure, Hill & Ponton can help you explore your options for service connection. We understand the complexities of these VA claims and can help gather the evidence needed to establish the nexus.
Washington D.C. Resources for Veterans
The VA offers numerous resources to support disabled veterans in Washington D.C., from help filing initial claims to financial assistance, counseling and healthcare.
Veteran assistance
VA National Capital Regional Benefit Office: 1722 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006. Local Contact for Appointments: NCRBO Public Contact (Compensation Benefits): (202) 530-9028 ; NCRBO Veteran Readiness & Employment Services: (202) 530-9162
Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs: MOVA D.C. connects D.C. veterans and their families with services related to employment, housing, health, education, and benefits. They advocate for veterans and work to improve their quality of life in the District of Columbia. Address: 441 4th Street NW, Suite 707N, Washington, DC 20001. Phone: (202) 724-5454
Washington D.C. Vet Center: Provides a broad range of counseling, outreach, and referral services to veterans and their families. Address: 1296 Upshur Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20011. Phone: (202) 726-5212
hospitals & Clinics
Washington D.C. VA Medical Center (VAMC): A full-service hospital providing primary care, specialty care, mental health services, emergency care, women veteran care, homeless veteran programs, and more. Address: 50 Irving Street, NW, Washington, DC 20422. Phone: (202) 745-8000
Southeast Washington VA Clinic (CBOC): Provides primary care, mental health services, and other outpatient services to veterans in Southeast D.C. Address: 820 Chesapeake Street, S.E., Washington, DC 20032. Phone: (202) 745-8685
Franklin Street VA Clinic / Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC): Offers healthcare as well as support for homeless veterans or those at risk, including access to housing resources, employment services and benefits assistance. Address: 1500 Franklin St., NE, Washington, DC 20018. Phone: (202) 745-3012
Homeless Veteran Support in Washington D.C.
No veteran should be without a safe place to call home, but severely disabled veterans are often at risk of homelessness. Housing assistance in Washington D.C. is available from the local Community Resource and Referral Center in Franklin Street and from organizations such as Supportive Services for Veteran Families. MOVA DC works with city agencies and community partners to address veteran homelessness and connect veterans to housing resources.
At Hill & Ponton, we specialize in legal assistance for veterans who face housing insecurity or struggle to keep a job. If you’re a disabled veteran who’s been denied or underrated by the VA, contact our Washington D.C. disability lawyers today for a free case evaluation.