Veterans' benefits issues can even arise in family law or estate-planning matters. If you are a veteran, family member of a veteran or survivor of a veteran be sure you speak with a veterans' benefit attorney for guidance in these matters.
Helping You Obtain the Veterans Benefits You Deserve
Even though the VA has a legal duty to assist veterans, the VA is a huge government bureaucracy that can't always get out of its own way to do that.
At Bosley McKown & Bratch, we have made helping veterans to obtain disability and other benefits from the VA a priority for nearly 15 years. Today, the experience and knowledge we've gained, the resources we've developed and the attorneys and dedicated staff who work here are ready to start working for you. For a free consultation — call or contact us online.
The following articles are intended to provide general information and a broader overview on the topic of veterans benefits.
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From their offices in Marion, Indiana, attorneys at Bosley McKown & Bratch provide experienced legal help to veterans and dependents nationwide who are seeking benefits from the VA. For a free consultation, call 1-866-974-0705 or contact us online.
Filing a claim with the VA can be a frustrating, confusing and time-consuming ordeal. Let our lawyers help. Whether you have yet to file a claim or would like to appeal a VA decision that you've already received — call or contact Bosley McKown & Bratch.
Veterans' Benefits - An Overview
According to its Web site, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) serves about 26 million military veterans and their families, with most veterans having served the country in wars or other periods of hostility. The VA also provides assistance to certain surviving family members of deceased veterans. If you are a veteran or the family member or survivor of a veteran and you are having trouble obtaining VA benefits, a veterans' benefit attorney such as one at Bosley McKown & Bratch in Marion, Indiana, can help you find your way out of what can seem like a maze.
The Big Picture
The magnitude of providing appropriate care and services to the nation's military veterans presents many challenges, especially in an era of limited government spending. Data from the VA Web site tells the daunting story:
- The existence of approximately 26 million veterans, combined with their family members and dependents and the survivors of deceased veterans, means one-quarter of the US population is receiving or may be eligible for some type of VA benefit.
- Government support obligations can last decades. Incredibly, a few dependents of Civil War and Spanish-American War veterans are still receiving benefits.
- The highest number of veterans is from the Vietnam conflict, followed by World War II.
- The median veteran age is about 60 years old.
- One of every five male US residents is a veteran.
- Almost 10 percent of veterans are female.
- The VA employs almost one-quarter million people including doctors, nurses, counselors, lawyers, computer specialists, architects and others.
- The VA runs a network of almost 2,000 facilities including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, counseling centers, regional offices and cemeteries.
- In 2007 the annual VA budget was over $80 billion.
Types of Benefits
The VA has three main arms through which it administers its benefits programs: Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and National Cemetery Administration (NCA). Very broadly, the programs include:
- Medical care, including prescription services
- Nursing-home care
- Mental-health care, including services for alcohol and drug addiction and for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Rehabilitation services
- Readjustment counseling
- Trauma counseling
- Bereavement counseling
- Disability compensation
- Pension programs
- Survivors' benefits
- Vocational and employment services
- Veteran-owned business support
- Education support
- Home-loan guaranty programs
- Housing assistance
- Life insurance
- Minority, female and homeless veteran outreach and support
- Cemetery and burial services
Veterans, dependents and survivors should apply to the VA for all possible benefits. In addition to federal benefits, individual states may provide additional or supplemental veterans' benefits. Veterans, dependents and survivors should check with their appropriate state veterans' agencies to determine what additional state veterans' benefits may be available.
Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA)
The usual procedure if your application for VA benefits is denied or is otherwise unsatisfactory is an appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals, before which you can request a hearing. At the next stage of appeal, you may request reopening or reconsideration of a BVA decision or you may appeal to the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), then to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and finally to the US Supreme Court. All of these options require the filing of certain documents within specified time periods.
Alternative legal remedies may exist in certain situations.
If you are denied benefits by your state veterans' agency, you should inquire about the appropriate state vehicle for review or appeal.
Conclusion
Securing VA benefits to which you are entitled can present a legal challenge and the fight may be draining emotionally as well as physically. Especially if you are suffering from a disability, psychological trauma or the effects of advanced age, the assistance of a veterans' benefits lawyer like one at Bosley McKown & Bratch in Marion, Indiana, can be a relief and a real asset.
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