VA disability compensation
Getting the rating your service left you with
A VA rating should match how your body and mind work today, not how they looked on the day you separated. We gather the service records, the treatment notes and, when it helps, an outside doctor's opinion, so the rater sees the whole picture the first time.
The law doesn't let an accredited attorney charge for help with a first claim. Many veterans file that part with a service officer, and we're glad to talk it through for free before you do.
Conditions that started in service or got worse because of it
Secondary conditions, like knee trouble that follows a back injury
PACT Act conditions tied to burn pits and other exposures
What a compensation claim can cover
New conditions
Hearing loss, tinnitus, back and joint injuries, PTSD and other conditions linked to service.
Rating increases
When a condition is worse than its rating says, with new exams and records to prove it.
Unemployability (TDIU)
Pay at the 100% rate when service-connected conditions keep you from steady work.
Questions about VA compensation
Do I need a lawyer to file my first VA claim?
No. Accredited attorneys can't charge for a first claim, and a county or nonprofit service officer can file it with you. We'll still tell you what records to gather.
What does it cost once you're involved?
After the VA decides a claim, our fee is a share of past-due benefits set out in a written agreement and limited by law. The VA usually pays it to us from your back pay.
Can a rating go down if I ask for an increase?
It can, which is why we review your records before you file. If an increase isn't likely, we'll say so.
Not sure your rating fits?
Send us your latest rating decision. We'll read it and tell you whether an increase or a new claim makes sense.
Fees are set by law and paid only from back pay you win. You may still owe out-of-pocket costs, such as copies of medical records or an outside doctor's opinion; we ask before we spend any.