VA Disability Lawyer in Fayetteville, NC

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If you’re a veteran living in Fayetteville, NC, and the VA has denied your disability claim or assigned you a rating that doesn’t match your condition’s severity, you’re not alone – and you don’t have to face this process alone either.

At Hardison & Cochran, we support veterans by appealing denied VA disability claims and pursuing higher ratings when their current rating doesn’t reflect the impact of their service-connected conditions.

We also handle appeals for denied VA pension benefits. Whether the issue is a mistake in your paperwork, an incorrect evaluation, or a lack of service connection according to the VA, we’re ready to step in and fight for your benefits.

We offer free consultations, and you pay nothing upfront. If we don’t win your case and secure back pay, you don’t owe us a fee.

Applying for VA Disability Benefits in Fayetteville

To file a new VA disability or pension claim, veterans must complete VA Form 21-526EZ, either:

  • Through the VA’s online portal (recommended for tracking purposes), or
  • By mailing in a completed paper form.

If you qualify for both VA Disability and Pension, the VA will provide the greater of the two benefits. At Hardison & Cochran, we do not help with new applications. However, if you’re denied or feel your rating is too low after receiving a decision, contact us to review your options.

Common Reasons VA Disability Claims Are Denied in Fayetteville

In Fayetteville and across the country, many veterans’ initial claims are denied due to avoidable errors, including:

  • Missing or inadequate evidence connecting your condition to your service
  • VA misinterpreting medical evidence
  • Missed VA exams or incomplete documentation
  • Ratings that don’t reflect the actual severity of the condition

We can help appeal these types of denials and give your case the attention it deserves.

How a VA Disability Lawyer Can Help You Appeal

Appealing a denial is an administrative process filled with paperwork and deadlines. Here is how an experienced VA disability attorney can help you streamline the process:

  • Carefully review your decision letter and case file
  • Collect medical records, service documents, and supporting evidence
  • Prepare strong legal arguments and documentation
  • Determine the best appeal strategy: Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or a Board Appeal
  • Handle all communication and deadlines with the VA on your behalf

Our Fayetteville veterans disability attorney will handle your appeal from start to finish while keeping you informed. You’ll just need to show up for exams if scheduled and make sure we have your updated contact info with our law firm. Leave everything else to us.

Disability vs. Pension: What’s the Difference?

Both are monthly VA benefits, but they serve different groups of veterans.

VA Disability Compensation:

  • For veterans with service-connected physical or mental health conditions
  • No income or asset limits
  • Requires evidence linking the condition to military service

VA Pension:

  • For wartime veterans with non-service-connected disabilities
  • Must meet income and asset limitations
  • Must be 65+, totally disabled, in long-term care, or receiving SSDI/SSI

Key Things to Know

Can I Appeal My VA Rating or Denial?

Yes. If you disagree with the rating or the effective date listed in your decision, you have one year from the date of the decision letter to file an appeal. We represent veterans through the appeals process to help them seek the fair benefits they deserve.

Will I Get Back Pay?

If we win your appeal, you may receive retroactive compensation from your original claim date. The amount depends on:

  • When you became eligible for benefits
  • When your claim was filed
  • How long the VA took to resolve it

Can My Benefits Be Reduced?

The VA can reevaluate your rating if they think your condition has improved. If you receive a Notice of Reexamination, take it seriously and speak with a lawyer immediately. There are legal protections in place, and we can help ensure your benefits aren’t unjustly reduced.

Speak with a VA Disability Attorney Serving Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville has a large and proud military community, and we’re honored to serve those who’ve served us. If you’ve been denied VA disability or received a rating that doesn’t reflect your day-to-day struggle, let’s talk.