Many veterans turn to the government when they come back from tour because of injury. If you are now disabled after fighting for your country, you fully expect the government to help support you for the rest of your life. It’s fair, and it’s what is right. In most cases, veterans have no trouble proving that they are severely injured and that it happened while on active duty. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs is likely to deny your claim for something minor. While it’s not required to have attorneys for claims, it can help you get through the VA disability claims process easily.
When to Hire
You aren’t required to hire an attorney, but it can be beneficial. Lawyers are there to help you achieve better results than you could do yourself. If you’re unsure how to fill out the paperwork or know that the Department of Veterans Affairs is going to hassle you about your injuries, it might be best to hire someone from the get-go. If you feel confident doing it yourself or with free help, you may want to wait until/if you get a denial letter. You may also want to hire a lawyer if you didn’t get a high enough rating.
Most lawyers prefer that you wait until you get a denial letter because they cannot charge you for their service to help you file the initial claim. They can only charge you for their services if you challenge the VA’s decision on the claim. Therefore, reputable lawyers aren’t likely to take your case until you’ve filed for compensation and received a denial or any decision you dislike. If you do find a lawyer that offers to help you file your claim, they likely believe that you will get a denial and need their services in the future.
