Noteboom The Law Firm

Disabled Veterans: Do you know about the Benefits Appeal Board?

Only a small percentage of disabled veterans seeking military benefits are aware of the VA disability appeals process in which they have the right to appeal and seek increased benefits. U.S. Sen. Mark Udall is attempting to establish an "intensified effort to educate" those veterans of their right to appeal and the process involved in making that appeal.

The military's Physical Disability Board of Review hears disabled veterans' appeals for increased benefits. Only through multiple "avenues of outreach" will the maximum amount of disabled veterans be informed of their rights as they relate to the board. Multiple advocates suggest the Pentagon use a variety of methods to contact the disabled veterans, which include:

• phone calls;
• radio advertisements;
• television advertisements; and
• social media.

The Board of Review came into existence several years ago under the Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act. Congress passed the act into law to ensure all wounded soldiers and veterans receive "adequate care." According to Sen. Udall, of all the veterans who appealed to the Department of Defense (DoD), 56% saw an increase in their benefits. There are, however, 77,000 veterans who are eligible and only 2,411 have applied to date.

Not every veteran knows of his or her right to appeal, according to Sen. Udall, which is what he aims to fix. He has requested the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contact every wounded veteran across the nation and advise them they have the ability to appeal. The Board reviews veterans' cases and looks to see if mistakes were made awarding proper military benefits while the veterans was being discharged.

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 veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.