Navigating the legal landscape is a constantly evolving journey. By choosing a specialty that aligns with your interests, skills, and values, you’ll be better positioned to adapt to changes in the law and seize new opportunities.
While it is possible for veterans to self-represent their claims, most choose to hire an accredited VA disability lawyer. The benefits of hiring an experienced Veteran attorney far outweigh the costs.
Experience
Whether you have been denied a disability rating by the VA or are seeking benefits for an injury or illness that occurred during active service, it is crucial to find a veteran law firm with experience. Law firms with extensive expertise in veterans’ claims can effectively represent you and guide your case through appeals.
Moreover, they can help you get the benefits that you deserve. They can also help you stand up to the VA officials who may have mistreated you.
It would help if you always tried to talk to several different lawyers before hiring a veteran law firm. This will give you a feel for how they work and their personality. You need a lawyer to hear your worries and answer your inquiries. It would help if you never were rushed or shuffled from one paralegal to another. This can be frustrating and may leave you feeling unsupported throughout the process.
Knowledge
Congress has created extensive laws that provide veterans with various medical and disability benefits. These benefits must be proven to the government, and that’s where an experienced VA attorney becomes vital.
An expert attorney knows how to build a case that meets the Board of Veterans Appeals standards and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. They will use medical professionals to develop evidence and demonstrate that your claim is legitimate.
Additionally, the veteran law firm knows how to work with other attorneys in the community to support veterans’ cases and interests. They can facilitate CLE programs and other events on topics that matter to servicemembers, military families, and veterans. They can also offer pro bono services, such as assisting with discharge upgrades or representing veterans denied VA claims. Those services can help improve veterans’ lives by providing them the assistance they need and deserve.
Flexibility
Veterans have the organizational skills and focus to thrive in an environment with many moving parts, whether the legal landscape or the chain of command. That level of focus and structure can help veterans succeed in law school as they navigate law firm life and even if they decide to change careers.
For instance, a veteran group inside the firm to network with one another and advocate for the firm’s internal policies. They say the group has also stepped outside the firm to serve pro bono and volunteer for other needy veterans.
Moreover, when it comes to VA disability appeals, you should select a firm with a history of representing veterans because it’s likely that your case will go through multiple stages, including a request to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Attorneys with experience in these appeals are familiar with the case law from this federal court.
Reputation
Veteran law firms should be dedicated to building a solid reputation in the community, and this can include staffing pro bono clinics for veterans, sponsoring presentations and events, and participating in panel discussions. Firms should also ensure they are well-positioned in search engines for the keywords that potential clients use to find them.
VSOs generally work for free, while attorneys are paid on a contingency basis for VA appeals, meaning they only get paid when they win the case. Attorneys can charge a maximum of 20-33% of the backpay the veteran receives for winning their appeal.
A solid online reputation can help veteran law firms stand out among competitors by demonstrating their expertise in the field and building trust with prospective disability claimants. A straightforward way to do this is by posting client testimonials on the website, which is inexpensive and easy to implement. By leveraging these methods, veteran law firms can increase their visibility and benefit veterans more significantly.