Noteboom The Law Firm

Campaign Targets 77,000 Veterans to Have Their Disability Ratings Reviewed

In 2008, a group of wounded post-9/11 veterans lobbied before Congress to bring to light instances of inadequate disability ratings that denied many of them their right to veterans’ disability benefits. Congress responded and ordered the Department of Defense to create the Physical Disability Review Board (PDRB).

The PDRB went into action, in June 2009, with the task of reviewing the disability ratings of about 77,000 veterans, who were medically discharged between 2001 and 2009. Since the board began reviews, only about 3.5% or 2,700 cases have been brought forth to be examined.

After many legislators, lead by Senator Mark Udall, urged the Department of Veterans Affairs to step up their efforts, a new information campaign is set to begin this month. The first phase of 15,031 veterans discharged in the years 2001-2003 that are eligible for disability rating reviews will begin receiving information packets on the PDRB and how their claim will be handled.

The phased mailing will continue in April with another 20,000 packets going out to veterans discharged in 2004-2005, 16,500 in July to veterans discharged in 2006-2007, and the final batch of 13,200 in October to veterans discharged in 2008-2009.

Veterans eligible to receive a disability rating review have nothing to lose – their current rating cannot be downgraded and can only be held as-is or increased. This may potentially qualify previously denied disability claims for veterans’ disability benefits or increase existing awards.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.