After serving for years in the military, you may need to lay claim to benefits you paid into during your time in the service. You may have been discharged from your military career, but it’s possible you were left with injuries or illnesses that prevent you from working full-time. In some instances, you may not be able to work at all. Whether your disability is temporary or permanent, you may need some assistance paying your bills and supporting your family. By hiring an experienced veterans benefits attorney, you could make a solid case for why your petition should be approved the first time you send in an application.
Proving Your Disability to the Judge
When you submit your application for benefits, a date will be scheduled to have your case heard in court. The judge assigned to your case has the legal obligation of protecting the money from this fund. He or she cannot merely approve you without first hearing from and seeing you in person. When you retain the services of veterans benefits attorneys in North Carolina, you can compile and present evidence that will substantiate your argument of being disabled. Your lawyer may present to the judge proof like:
- Medical records
- Written statements from doctors, nurses, or psychiatrists
- Pharmaceutical records
- Eyewitness testimonies about your disability
Presenting as much evidence as possible to prove that you are disabled increases the likelihood the judge will rule in your favor in court.
Appealing the Decision
Despite presenting the best evidence possible, the judge may still deny your claim the first time it’s heard in court. If this is the case, you have the chance to appeal the judge’s decision. Your attorney can file an immediate appeal to have the case heard again. To learn more or to hire a lawyer to take your case, you can contact the attorneys at Jackson & MacNichol Law Offices.