Disability Process

Step 1

Apply at the local VA office. That office will issue a Ratings Decision.

Step 2

If you wish to appeal the Ratings Decision, you must file a Notice of Disagreement with your local VA office within one year. You will receive a Statement of the Case from the local VA office. You may submit additional evidence. After receipt of the additional evidence, the local VA office will issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

Step 3

If you wish to appeal the Statement of the Case or Supplemental Statement of the Case, you can appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals or BVA (http://www.va.gov/vbs/bva/). You can file the appeal through your local office and have the right to a hearing before the Board of Veterans Appeals. You must file the appeal within 60 days from your Statement of the Case or Supplemental Statement of the Case or one year from Ratings Decision. Following a hearing, the Board of Veterans Appeals can affirm the decision, remand it to the Ratings Officer for a new decision, grant benefits, or issue a final denial.

Step 4

If you receive a final denial, you can file suit in the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans' Claims (http://www.vetapp.gov) within 120 days of the Board of Veterans' Appeals decision.

The Veterans' Administration has a helpful pamphlet available to assist you in understanding the appeal process. A link to the pamphlet is here.

To talk about your veterans' disability benefits, your current disability rating, or what our lawyers can accomplish for you — call or contact us in Columbia, South Carolina, for a free consultation. All veterans' disability and benefits cases are handled on a contingent fee basis. We receive no attorneys' fees unless we are able to get your rating and your veterans' disability payments increased.

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For the most complete information on veterans' disability benefits —
use this link to visit the United States Department of Veterans Affairs web site.