VA Claims

processing claims for over 50 years

VA Claims video

While training at military bases nationwide, service members were exposed to countless toxic substances, including PFAS. For this reason, veterans are more likely to develop crippling diseases over the years, for which they can seek financial compensation.

Our attorneys have 35 years of experience in filing claims on behalf of ill veterans, and we will gladly assist you if you are in this unfortunate situation. It is important to know that filing a claim will not deny your right to file a VA disability compensation claim.

VA Claims

Our law firm helps veterans file VA disability claims. The current denial rate for VA disability claims is 75%, so veterans are strongly encouraged to seek the assistance of a reliable attorney to not have their claim denied. Filing both a toxic exposure and a VA claim is a very complex and tedious process, which is why the help of a skilled attorney is necessary. Our compassionate legal team will guide you through every step of the process with minimal involvement from you so that you can focus on your health.

VA compensation pay chart based on the disability rating

If you file for additional claims, it will not affect your right to VA disability compensation or other benefits from the VA you are currently receiving, veterans and family members can recover compensation from both sources.

Asbestos exposure

You will be assigned a 10% disability rating if you have hoarseness, with inflammation of cords or mucous membrane; FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, with flow-volume loop compatible with upper airway obstruction.

AFFF exposure and PFAS contamination

Residuals of testicular, prostate, kidney, bladder cancer, and their ratings:

  • frequent urination – the VA grants a 10% daytime voiding interval between two and three hours, or; awakening to void two times per night.

The VA recognizes anemia as ”predominantly hereditary or secondary, a symptom of another condition”, and may grant a 10% rating for cases requiring a continuous treatment of high doses of supplements.

Asbestos exposure

You will be assigned a 20% disability rating if you suffer from pleural effusion, pleural plaques, pulmonary fibrosis, diffuse pleural thickening, lung scarring, or asbestosis which does not cause you a lot of distress in your everyday life. Asbestos fibers must be present in your lungs to qualify for disability compensation from the VA.

AFFF exposure and PFAS contamination

Residuals of prostate, bladder, colon, and rectal cancer and their ratings:

  • if you are experiencing erectile dysfunction as a result of atrophied testicles on both sides, you will receive a disability rating of 20%.
  • urinary frequency - the VA grants a 20% for every 1-2 hours daily and 3-4 times per night
  • urinary incontinence is rated under voiding dysfunction and includes ratings starting from 20%.

The payment for a 20% disability rating is $284.93 per month. For a 20% VA disability rating, you will be paid as a single veteran with no dependents.

Asbestos exposure

You will be assigned a 30% disability rating if you struggle with asbestosis, pleural plaques, lung scarring, pleural effusion, diffuse pleural thickening, or pulmonary fibrosis which is causing you some distress in your daily life. To qualify for disability compensation from the VA, asbestos fibers must have been found in your lungs.

AFFF exposure and PFAS contamination

Renal dysfunction, which is most commonly associated with kidney cancer, has a 30 rating percentage if:

  • a catheter is needed constantly or intermittently
  • albumin is present in urine with either red blood cells or hyaline and granular casts, or slight edema, or hypertension

Residuals of testicular, prostate, bladder cancer, and their ratings:

  • the VA grants a 30% for urinary retention requiring intermittent or continuous catheterization and/or recurrent symptomatic infection requiring drainage/frequent hospitalization - greater than two times/year - and/or requiring continuous intensive management

If you are awarded service connection for multiple sclerosis as a result of exposure to a chemical toxin, such as PFAS, the VA will automatically assign a minimum rating of 30 percent.

Asbestos exposure

You will be assigned a 40% disability rating if you suffer from asbestosis, lung scarring, diffuse pleural thickening, pleural plaques, pleural effusion, or pulmonary fibrosis which is causing you significant distress in your everyday life. To become eligible for disability compensation from the VA, asbestos fiber must be present in your lungs.

AFFF exposure and PFAS contamination

Residuals of prostate, bladder, colon, and rectal cancer and their ratings:

  • urinary frequency - the VA grants a 40% for daytime voiding interval of less than one hour, or; awakening to void five or more times per night

Veterans with a 40 percent rating will have pretty significant limitations in terms of what they can do physically. The payment for a 40% disability rating is $635.77 per month. A disability rating of 40 percent qualifies you to receive additional benefits for your spouse, children, or dependent parents.

Asbestos exposure

You will be assigned a 50% disability rating if you struggle with asbestosis, diffuse pleural thickening, pleural plaques, pulmonary fibrosis, or pleural effusion which is causing you extreme distress in your daily life. To qualify for disability compensation from the VA, asbestos fibers must have been found in your lungs.

The monthly payment for a 50% disability rating is $905.04. A disability rating of 50 percent qualifies you to receive additional benefits for your spouse, children, or dependent parents.

Asbestos exposure

You will be assigned a 60% disability rating if you suffer from stage 1 lung cancer, mesothelioma, esophageal cancer, throat cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, colorectal cancer, or bronchial cancer. To qualify for compensation from the VA, asbestos fibers must be present in your lungs.

AFFF exposure and PFAS contamination

You will be assigned a 60% disability rating if you suffer from stage 1 kidney cancer, testicular cancer, pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, or leukemia.

The monthly payment for a 60% disability rating is $1,146.39. A disability rating of 60 percent qualifies you to receive additional benefits for your spouse, children, or dependent parents.

Asbestos exposure

You will be assigned a 70% disability rating if you struggle with stage 2 lung cancer, mesothelioma, esophageal cancer, throat cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, colorectal cancer, or bronchial cancer. To become eligible for disability compensation from the VA, asbestos fibers must have been found in your lungs.

AFFF exposure and PFAS contamination

You will be assigned a 70% disability rating if you struggle with stage 2 kidney cancer, testicular cancer, pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, or leukemia.

The monthly payment for a 70% disability rating is $1,444.71. A disability rating of 70 percent qualifies you to receive additional benefits for your spouse, children, or dependent parents.

Asbestos exposure

You will be assigned an 80% disability rating if you struggle with stage 3 lung cancer, mesothelioma, esophageal cancer, throat cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, colorectal cancer, or bronchial cancer. To qualify for compensation from the VA, you must have asbestos fibers in your lungs.

AFFF exposure and PFAS contamination

You will be assigned an 80% disability rating if you struggle with stage 3 kidney cancer, testicular cancer, pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, or leukemia.

The payment for an 80% disability rating is $1,679.35 per month. A disability rating of 80 percent qualifies you to receive additional benefits for your spouse, children, or dependent parents.

Asbestos exposure

You will be assigned a 90% disability rating if you struggle with terminal lung cancer, mesothelioma, esophageal cancer, throat cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, colorectal cancer, or bronchial cancer. To become eligible for compensation from the VA, asbestos fibers must be present in your lungs.

AFFF exposure and PFAS contamination

You will be assigned a 90% disability rating if you struggle with terminal kidney cancer, testicular cancer, pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, or leukemia.

The monthly payment for a 90% disability rating is $1,887.18. A disability rating of 90 percent qualifies you to receive additional benefits for your spouse, children, or dependent parents.

Asbestos exposure

You will be assigned a 100% disability rating if you struggle with terminal lung cancer, mesothelioma, esophageal cancer, throat cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, colorectal cancer, or bronchial cancer which is causing you extreme pain and suffering in your daily life. To qualify for compensation from the VA, asbestos fibers must be present in your lungs.

AFFF exposure and PFAS contamination

You will be assigned a 100% disability rating if you struggle with terminal kidney cancer, testicular cancer, pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, or leukemia which is causing you extreme pain and suffering in your daily life. The VA notes that ratings of 100% are permitted "beyond the cessation of any surgical, radiation treatment, antineoplastic chemotherapy, or other therapeutic procedure. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination."

The payment for a 100% disability rating is $3,146.42 per month. A disability rating of 100 percent qualifies you to receive additional benefits for your spouse, children, or dependent parents.

Additional VA benefits

Disability compensation

As diseases caused by toxic chemicals or defective products tend to affect everyday life to a great extent, veterans suffering from debilitating illnesses are often eligible for disability compensation. This tax-free, monthly benefit is calculated by taking into account the veteran’s level of disability, which can range between 0 and 100 percent. Accordingly, the greater the disability level, the larger the amount of money they will receive from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

Special monthly compensation

In addition to disability compensation, veterans who need the assistance of another person to carry out basic daily activities are eligible for this VA benefit as well. The sum of money special monthly compensation typically ranges between $250 and $650, depending on the extent of aid the veteran requires, as well as on whether their spouse also has a disability that demands permanent help and attendance. It is worthy of note that veterans qualify for disability compensation regardless of their employment or retirement status.

Dependency and indemnity compensation

The dependents and survivors of veterans whose death was caused by a disease stemming from military toxic exposure or defective products are also eligible for VA benefits. If the veteran was already receiving disability compensation while they were alive, their spouse can easily obtain dependency and indemnity compensation by filing a claim. The sum of money dependents and survivors generally receive from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs is approximately $1,200, increasing if the former requires the aid of another person regularly due to disability.

VA Healthcare

To qualify for this benefit, a veteran must be enrolled in the VA health care system, by virtue of which they can receive medical services and treatment from specialists free of charge. Only veterans who meet one of the following requirements can successfully apply for enrollment: they have a service-related disability, they have a low income or they belong to a special group of veterans, such as recipients of the Purple Heart, those exposed to Agent Orange and prisoners of war.

VA burial benefits

The sum of money the VA offers for funeral services for veterans who passed away due to a disease caused by military toxic exposure is $2,000. If you are seeking this benefit, you must prove that you paid for a veteran's burial or funeral. You must also provide documents that state that the veteran lost their life as a result of a disease caused by military toxic exposure, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.

VA pension

As a supplemental payment for veterans injured by military toxic exposure, VA pension is available to people who are older than 65, are permanently disabled, and receive nursing home care, as well as Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Income.

VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits

This VA benefit is available to veterans who need another person to help them with performing daily tasks such as feeding, bathing, and dressing or who need to spend a lot of time in bed due to their disability. It is also offered to veterans who currently live in nursing homes as a result of the loss of their physical or mental abilities, as well as to veterans whose eyesight is limited. The VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefit are also available for the surviving family members of veterans. However, it is important to note that as a veteran, you cannot get both Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound benefits.

Quality assistance for veterans who are seeking VA disability compensation

If you are a veteran struggling with a disease as a consequence of toxic exposure that occurred at military bases, we advise you to get in touch with our diligent attorneys, who have 35 years of professional experience. They will assist you in filing your VA disability claim with minimal involvement from you. We will only request your military records, which you must retrieve, and your medical records to begin working on your case. If you decide to work with our law firm, you are bound to obtain the most favorable outcome for your case.