If you believe you are eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits you may wonder if you need a lawyer before filing a claim. You are permitted to file the claim yourself, however having an attorney to help you navigate through the complicated process can be very beneficial. Having the paperwork completed and documentation filed by someone with experience in handling VA claims also minimizes the risk that your claim will be denied for avoidable reasons.
If you completed initial paperwork for disability yourself or with the help of an agent from a service organization for veterans and your claim is rejected you should definitely contact an attorney skilled in veterans’ issues before accepting the denial as a final answer.
When selecting an attorney, ask if they have experience specifically handling VA issues. The VA system is complicated and constantly changing. Having an attorney that is up to date on how the system works will help your appeal move through the pipeline as efficiently as possible.
Some questions to ask a veterans benefits lawyer in Ohio include how long they have practiced law and if they regularly attend veterans law training classes. Some questions you should ask that directly relate to your case include finding out what the earliest effective date would be for your benefits and what they will do to get you the highest possible rating for your disability. In addition, you want to know whether they will follow your case through the appeals process if that proves necessary.
You should understand that there is a difference between lawyers that practice disability law and lawyers that have experience in veterans disability cases. Veterans disability has an entirely different system to work through than traditional disability cases, and you want someone who is familiar with the process. If you need a veterans benefits lawyer in Ohio, Jackson & MacNichol Law Offices can help.
