Ralph J. Bratch

Areas of Practice

Ralph Bratch is a managing partner of Bosley McKown & Bratch. Ralph, a VA Accredited Attorney, limits his practice to helping veterans and their dependents throughout the country obtain disability and other benefits from the VA for various conditions/disabilities including but not limited to the following:

• Mental disorders including post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), depression, anxiety and schizophrenia, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and related symptoms.
• Disabilities from exposure to Agent Orange including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, etc. and various types of cancer including prostate, skin, lymph node and respiratory cancers.
• Physical injuries from blasts including shell fragment wounds, muscle wounds and scars.
• Other physical injuries including bone fractures, back and neck injuries.
• Various diseases including but not limited to Hepatitis.
• Individual Unemployability.

Ralph has been recognized by his lawyer peers for inclusion in the prestigious publication The Best Lawyers in America®

Civilian Experience

Ralph has over 21 years of legal experience representing individuals in various injury and disability cases against the government, insurance companies and corporations.

Lectures/Publications

Ralph has authored numerous articles and lectured on various veterans, military, disability and litigation topics. Most recently, Ralph presented at the National Organization of Veterans Advocates 2011 Spring Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana on the topic of National Guard/Reserve VA disability claims where he explained when, how and what evidence is needed in VA disability claims. As part of his continued advocacy for veterans on VA disability issues, Ralph is also occasionally called upon to provide written guidance and comments to the VA about the inadequacies and unfairness of various current and proposed VA disability regulations.

Military Experience

In addition to his civilian legal experience, Ralph is also currently a Judge Advocate in the JAG Corps of the Army Reserve serving as Defense Counsel in the 154th Legal Support Organization headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia where he defends individual soldiers against the Army in administrative and criminal proceedings. Ralph has also been applying his extensive civilian litigation experience and expertise in veterans disability matters in separation proceedings in a novel way by arguing that Soldiers suffering the effects of post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury exhibit self-destructive behaviors resulting in separation proceedings and the conditions are not being recognized by Soldiers and commanders. He also provides advice and assistance to Soldiers with disabilities and those facing potential discharge for disabilities in Medical Evaluation Boards. His former assignments include: Trial Counsel and Civil Law Attorney for the Army Reserve Medical Command in Pinellas Park, Florida; and Team Leader, Trial Counsel and Legal Assistance Attorney in the 91st Legal Support Organization in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ralph has served in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has received numerous awards and decorations including:

• Army Commendation Medal
• Army Achievement Medal
• Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" device (M denotes mobilization)

Volunteer Work

Ralph provides financial support to various veteran related charitable organizations. He also currently participates in the Homeless Veterans Project providing free legal assistance to homeless veterans helping them obtain disability benefits. He also volunteers with local homeless veteran shelters in order to assist and education veterans regarding disability benefits. Ralph has also served as a volunteer Ombudsmen with the Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR), an organization that helps guarantee the employment rights of military service members.

Bar/Agency Admissions

• Veterans Administration
• United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
• State of Indiana
• U.S. Federal District Court ; Southern District of Indiana and Northern District of Indiana

Education

• Valparaiso University School of Law, Valparaiso, Indiana
• Ball State University
• Judge Advocate Officer Advanced Course
• Judge Advocate Officer Advanced Course
• Combined Arms and Services Staff School

Professional Associations and Memberships

• National Organization of Veterans' Advocates, Member
• Court of Appeal for Veterans Claims Bar Association
• JAG Corps of the Army Reserve, Member
• Federal Bar Association, Member
• Brain Injury Association