how get a veteran lawyer

If a Veteran needs legal assistance, you may contact one of the listed legal service clinics, visit www.statesidelegal.org *, ABA Federal Free Legal Answers *, http://vetlex.org * or Pro Bono Resources for Veterans *. You may also contact your local VJO Specialist who may know of community resources for legal assistance.

Full Answer

How do I find an attorney for a veteran?

Use the National Organization of Veterans Advocates website (NOVA). NOVA has an online directory of attorneys (and non-attorney agents) who have been accredited by the VA as well as many attorneys who are admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals.

Do you need a lawyer for veterans disability benefits?

As a wounded warrior, you’re entitled to compensation for your service-connected disabilities. Working with a trusted veterans disability lawyer is your best chance for getting more benefits from the earliest effective date possible. Have you been denied compensation by the VA for your claim?

How much do veterans law attorneys make on average?

reveals the Veterans Law Attorney wins 44.61%. An accredited agent wins 38.79%. Your State Service Officer brings in 35.17%. American Legion is at 34.53%. Disabled American Veterans comes in with 33.70%.

What should I look for when hiring a VA lawyer?

If the lawyer holds out being ‘accredited’ as the only experience that he has in VA law that is a red flag. If this is all the experience, training, and certification the lawyer has that means that the lawyer will be using your veterans claim case to get training on veterans law. His errors could undermine your case.

Who qualifies for legal aid in VA?

Clients must make 200% or less of federal poverty guidelines and must live in northern Virginia to qualify for services. Just Neighbors has a special emphasis on humanitarian-based immigration cases and does not take: removal/deportation cases, asylum cases, family-based petitions.

Is Jag free for veterans?

The military offers free legal assistance if you need to write your will, are considering signing a lease, or need a power of attorney or notarized signature and best of all, military family members have access to it. Military Lawyers are called Judge Advocates General (JAGs).

Who can help me with my VA appeal?

If you need help filing a claim or appeal, you may want to work with an accredited attorney, a claims agent, or a Veterans Service Officer (VSO). We trust these professionals because they're trained and certified in the VA claims and appeals processes and can help you with VA-related needs.

Can Jag help civilians?

Military Lawyers are part of the Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG). JAGs can offer help in legal and non-legal matters like contract law, immigration law, divorce, wills, notary services, etc.

Can JAG help veterans?

Every military legal assistance office provides free legal assistance to eligible personnel regardless of his or her branch of service. For example, a Marine can obtain legal assistance from an Army JAG, just as a soldier can receive legal assistance from a Marine JAG.

Can retired military use JAG?

Leaving the Military? Military retirees can and should obtain legal assistance on most personal legal matters such as wills, powers-of-attorney, filing federal and state income taxes, and reviewing contracts.

What is the VA 5 year rule?

The VA disability rating 5-year rule states that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot reduce a veteran's disability rating if it has been in place for five years or more unless the condition shows sustained improvement over time. In this situation, the veteran's rating is considered a stabilized rating.

How do I get a 100% VA rating?

Qualifying for 100 Percent VA Disability Veterans who have a service-connected illness or injury must meet several requirements in order to receive VA benefits. The most basic prerequisites require that veterans have: Sustained their injury or illness during active duty, active duty training, or inactive duty training.

What are the chances of winning a VA appeal?

The Board of Veterans' Appeals Annual Report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 indicated that the VA disability appeals success rate for veterans was 35.75 percent. Specifically, out of 85,288 decisions issued, 30,492 were allowed, or granted.

Are JAG Lawyers real?

More and more, new lawyers are becoming JAG officers (aka Judge Advocate Generals Corp), working in all legal matters involving the military, which mirrors almost every aspect of civilian law. JAGs are in each of the five US military branches: army, navy, marines, coast guard, or air force.

Can a JAG officer represent you civil matter?

The answer to this is: Sort of. Every military post has an on-base JAG assistance office that exists to aid service members and their spouses with both civilian and military legal matters. When it comes to military divorce, JAG officers can't help you file, but they can offer advice and counsel.

Is a JAG a lawyer?

Legal assistance means that you can meet with an attorney, get legal advice, and have certain legal documents prepared for you. The attorneys are called judge advocates, or JAGs.

When You Need An Attorney

You often do not need an attorney when you are first applying for VA benefits. You can rely on an agent of a veterans service organization to assis...

How to Find A Veterans Disability Attorney

There are many lawyers who specialize in disability law, but it is important to locate an attorney who has expertise in veterans disability law. Th...

How Much Will Do Veterans Disability Attorneys Cost?

How much a lawyer can charge for service depends on whether you need help appealing a denial or getting a discharge upgrade.

What About Pro Bono Attorneys?

The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) provides free legal assistance to veterans appealing a denial of disability benefits to the U....

Why Do You Need a Lawyer for Veterans?

It is possible to apply for veterans’ benefits and handle a number of legal issues veterans face without an attorney. There are plenty of vets who apply for benefits and are approved without too many problems, but there are also plenty of horror stories about getting approved for benefits.

What You Should Ask a Lawyer

If you’ve decided to consult with a lawyer for veterans, there are a few things you should ask during the meeting. This will help you determine if a lawyer has the experience needed to help you with your case. You can do this regardless whether you are looking for someone to help you with a VA benefits denial or for any other reasons.

How Can You Find a Veterans Lawyer to Help You with a Disability Claim?

Like most fields of law, Veterans’ lawyers tend to specialize in certain aspects of the law, so it’s important to find out what an attorney can offer you in terms of their experience.

What can a VA disability lawyer do?

In veteran’s disability claims, a VA disability lawyer can help clarify the issues and ensure that the claim is properly supported by evidence so that the claim can be appealed, if necessary. There are many VA disability lawyers so the question is how to select the proper one to represent you.

What does it mean when a lawyer is accredited?

If the lawyer holds out being ‘accredited’ as the only experience that he has in VA law that is a red flag. If this is all the experience and training the lawyer has that means that the lawyer will be using your veterans claim case to get training on veterans law. His errors could undermine your case.

What is VA service connected disability?

VA service connected disability compensation benefits are monthly payments made to veterans, and, in some cases, their families. The veteran is entitled to compensation when he can show that this disability is related to an injury or event in service. The disability payments, known as the disability rating are based on the degree ...

Can you investigate the effective date of a VA disability claim?

Another common mistake is not to fully investigate the effective date. VA disability lawyers are going to look back at all your previous claims in the C file and determine if there is a way to take the benefits back further than the date of the current claim.

Does the VA allow non service connected pensions?

For servicemen who served in a period of war, the VA law allows non-service connected pension benefit, regardless of whether the disability was service connected. This veterans benefit is income and asset tested and only applies to those wartime veterans who do not have significant income and assets and are completely disabled.

Is there a time limit for veterans to file a claim?

As President Lincoln said the purpose of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is “to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.”. There is no time limit on when a claim can be brought.

Is VA law complicated?

VA law is too complicated to practice on a part-time basis. Do not sign a contract before you speak with the lawyer. Your VA claim is important to you. It is personal. Hiring a VA claims lawyer is a big decision. Insist on speaking with the lawyer before signing the contract. You need to see what they can do to help you with your claim.

What is the American Bar Association's Veterans Directory?

Use the American Bar Association's veterans directory of programs to find other local programs providing legal assistance to veterans with disability benefits, discharge upgrades, and a variety of other legal problems.

How long do Nova lawyers have to be a member?

NOVA attorneys are required to participate in annual veterans benefits trainings and are not listed in the online directory until they have been a NOVA member for one year. Use Nolo's lawyer directory to view our list of disability lawyers.

How much do disability appeal attorneys charge?

Disability Benefits Appeals. Attorneys are permitted by law to charge between 20% and 33 ½% for handling an appeal , but cannot charge more than 33%. These fees will be paid to the attorney only if the veteran wins the appeal and the veteran is awarded benefits. Typically these fees will be paid directly out of the veteran's lump sum payment ...

How to contact GI Hotline?

Request help using their contact form or call them at (888) 838-7727 or (202) 628-8164. The GI Hotline is a network of twenty veterans service groups that provides legal assistance with discharge upgrades (as well as other legal issues for veterans and active service members). Call them at (877) 447-4487.

Can an attorney charge for discharge upgrades?

Attorneys are permitted to set their own fees for discharge upgrades and to charge these fees up front, meaning before they begin work on the case. The amount that attorneys charge for upgrades varies; it will be necessary to contact attorneys to find out what they charge.

Is Nova a VA accredited attorney?

NOVA has an online directory of attorneys (and non-attorney agents) who have been accredited by the VA as well as many attorneys who are admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals.

Do you have to give consent to a lawyer to text you?

You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary.

Where is Vetlaw located?

VetLaw is the law firm of choice for veterans in all 50 states. Our main office is located one block from VA’s Regional Office in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Winston-Salem office was founded for the sole purpose of representing veterans and their families struggling to obtain VA benefits. Our practice still follows the initial principles set forth by our Founding Attorney, Marine Corps veteran Brendan Garcia.

What are the requirements to be eligible for VA disability?

To be eligible for VA disability compensation, you must have a current diagnosed physical or mental condition that meets the following requirements: You served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training— AND. You have a disability rating for your service-connected condition.

What is a BVA hearing?

A BVA hearing is a request to present your disability claims case before a Veterans Law Judge. With this process, you can request a video conference hearing where you can present testimony about your disability claim to a judge. This hearing will be translated and becomes a part of your appeal file.

What is VA disability?

VA disability compensation may include financial payments and/or other benefits, such as health care and job training. Once you receive a decision notice with a disability rating (more about this later), you will be able to receive your compensation and/or other benefits.

How long does it take to get a VA disability?

According to recent VA data, it takes between 92.9 and 100.8 days to review and make a decision on a disability claim.

How long do you have to submit new evidence to the judge?

After your hearing, you will enter into a 90-day period for submitting your new and relevant evidence to the judge. If you do not have any new evidence to submit, this 90-day period can be waived.

Is VA disability cumulative?

Here is where you have to deal with the VA’s mystifying math. Multiple disabilities are NOT cumulative. They are factored into each other in numerical order from highest VA rating to the lowest, then multiplied against each other to determine your overall combined VA disability rate.

What is the most common type of attorney fee?

Attorney Fees: The most common type of fee is the percentage or contingency fee, which is the most favorable fee structure for most veterans in most veterans benefits cases. This is because the attorney is only paid if (1) an award is made and (2) there is an amount owed to the veteran at the time of the award.

Can a lawyer help you if you don't have a well grounded claim?

The lawyer can't help you if you don't have a well grounded claim or appeal. The lawyer won't fabricate evidence or stretch the truth. Veterans law attorneys are perhaps the most regulated professionals there are and they have any number of professionals licenses and certifications required to practice their trade.

Can a lawyer represent you in VA appeal?

The lawyer you've chosen can't help you with other problems that you may encounter while you wait for your claim. Your veterans law attorney is accredited by VA to represent you for that claim or appeal only.

OUR DUTY: Helping disabled veterans win maximum benefits for their total disability claim

As a wounded warrior, you’re entitled to compensation for your service-connected disabilities. Working with a trusted veterans disability lawyer is your best chance for getting more benefits from the earliest effective date possible. Have you been denied compensation by the VA for your claim? We can help you fight back.

For each case, we are able to provide

We represent cases at all levels – Regional Offices, Board of Veteran’s Appeals, Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Federal Circuit, and even the Supreme Court.

VSO RESOURCE CENTER

Get the most up-to-date information about filing & arguing cases to get the most benefits for your veterans.

The Veterans Law Group

The Veterans Law Group (VLG) is a law firm which has successfully represented disabled veterans and their dependents for more than sixteen years. Mark Lippman is a well-established and trusted practitioner of veterans law, having represented thousands of claimants with physical and psychological disabilities. With his experienced staff, Mr.

What happens if you lose your VA disability claim?

These are for things like doctors reports, expert testimony, or vocational experts. If you lose your VA Disability Benefits claim, you don’t have to pay case expenses.

Does Woods and Woods charge for veterans?

No Recovery, No Fee. Woods & Woods never charges a fee unless we win your veterans disability benefits claim. If you lose your claim, you don’t owe us anything. There is never a charge for the application process.