Members of the U.S. military give their lives to protect this country. In return, when they are hurt or sick, we expect them to be given the support and care they deserve. Unfortunately, benefits for disabled veterans aren’t automatic. It takes time, energy, and resources to find and apply for the right benefit programs.
If a service-related injury or illness prevents you from working or has sidelined your earning potential, you may be entitled to receive compensation. However, finding and applying for this compensation isn’t always easy. That is where the Queens Disability attorneys of Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C. come in. We have dedicated 30 years to helping represent veterans and their interests. We understand the inner workings of the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs and know what they are looking for in a disability benefits application.
If you or a family member needs help applying for disability benefits, contact the experienced Queens team at Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C.. You don’t have to take on the government alone to get the money you deserve. Let us help you find the program that is right for you and apply today. Call us for a consultation at 516-496-0400, and let’s talk about how we can help you.
The Veterans’ Disability Benefits Program
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs spearheads a program called the VA disability compensation program. The VA disability compensation benefit is paid to veterans who have been injured or diagnosed with a serious illness while serving in the military or whose condition was made worse because of active military service. The program offers veterans or qualifying family members a monthly tax-free payment.
The U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs offers an eligibility guide to help veterans determine whether they qualify for the benefit. Veterans must have served on active duty, active-duty training, or inactive duty training in addition to having a disability rating for a service-connected injury or illness. The disability itself may be a chronic condition or illness that appears within one year after discharge or an illness caused by time spent as a prisoner of war. Certain illnesses caused by exposure to certain toxic chemicals or hazardous materials, such as Agent Orange or asbestos, may also qualify you to apply for benefits.
Veterans aren’t the only ones who may qualify for benefits. Some family members may be eligible for VA disability compensation. Spouses, children, or parents of service members who died in the line of duty or who died as a result of a service-related illness or injury may also qualify to apply for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation or VA DIC.
If you have questions about your eligibility or which program may be right for you, talk to an experienced Queens Veterans’ Benefits attorney. At Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C., we can review your circumstances and point you in the right direction. We can even help you file a strong application that gives you the best chance at receiving the benefits you deserve.
Filing a Veterans’ Disability Claim
Filing a disability claim can be a time-consuming and lengthy task. While the application itself needs to be accurate and detailed, it is the process of gathering the necessary evidence and medical documentation that can be frustrating.
Before you work on the application itself, check to make sure that you meet all the eligibility requirements as laid out by the benefit program you are applying for. Next, start the process of gathering all relevant medical documentation related to the diagnosis and treatment of your illness or injury. The information that you may want to gather can include things like hospital reports, doctor’s notes, surgical reports, x-rays, laboratory or diagnostic test results, physical therapy notes, and a list of prescriptions you take.
The claim itself and the corresponding supplemental documentation can be filed in many ways:
Online through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Or by downloading the form, filling it out, and filing by mail:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
PO Box 4444
Janesville, WI 53547-4444
You may also bring in your completed application and additional documents to a regional VA office. The closest regional offices to Queens are located at :
New York Regional Satellite Office at Manhattan VA Medical Center, Office 1
423 East 23rd Street
2nd Floor, Room 2207N
New York, NY 10010
New York Regional Satellite Office at Manhattan VA Medical Center, Office 2
423 East 23rd Street
Floor 15(s), Room 15108AS
New York, NY 10010
New York Regional Office
245 W Houston Street
New York, NY 10014
What to Expect From the Process and Why You Need An Attorney
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, after you file a claim, it can take, on average, 134 days for the VA to make a decision about your case. Getting a timely response can depend on the type of claim that you file, the nature of your illness or injury, and the time it takes the VA to obtain the evidence they need. Any mistake, missing detail, or inaccuracy adds time and may jeopardize your claim.
An experienced Queens Veterans’ Disability attorney understands what the government is looking for and can review your application for accuracy. An attorney with Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C. can also work with you one-on-one to draft a compelling and complete claim application that gives you the best chance at recovering the benefits you deserve. In the unfortunate event that your claim is denied, an attorney can also advocate on your behalf by helping you file an appeal and fight the rejection.
At Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C., we can help determine which benefit program is right for you, assist you with all the paperwork and documentation, and review the application with a fine-tooth comb for accuracy. Getting you the benefits that you deserve is our number one priority.
Contact an Experienced Queens Veterans’ Disability Benefits Attorney Today
If you or a family member is a veteran who suffered a debilitating illness or injury, you may be entitled to benefits from the federal government. To talk about your situation and find out if you qualify, contact Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C. today. Our team of skilled attorneys can walk you through the Veterans’ Disability benefits application process.
Call us today at 516-496-0400 to schedule a consultation with an experienced Queens Veterans’ Disability benefits attorney.