What do I need to get service-connected disability benefits?

Generally, a veteran needs to show that they sustained an injury or contracted a disease during their time in service; that they currently have a disability or disease; and that their current condition is related to their in-service injury or disease.

Am I entitled to service-connected disability even if my injury occurred while I was off duty?

Generally, yes. If you injured your lower back while playing sports while in service, you would be entitled to service-connected disability if your current disability is related to that in-service injury.

Can I do anything if I receive an unfavorable decision from the VA Regional Office?

Yes. A decision from the Regional Office is the first, not the last, decision within the VA system. You have one year from the date of the Regional Office decision to contest the decision with the VA.

How much do I have to pay, and do I have to pay up front?

No one is allowed to charge veterans for assisting with filing an initial claim with the VA. Attorneys charge a contingent fee of 20% of past-due benefits — you only pay if you win.

I already received an unfavorable decision from a BVA Judge — is there anything I can do?

Yes. You can sue the VA in the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. If you win, your attorney may be entitled to fees paid by the VA under the Equal Access to Justice Act.

Do I need a lawyer, or can I represent myself?

There is nothing that prevents you from representing yourself. However, we strongly recommend retaining an experienced lawyer to represent you at every stage.

Your firm is in Florida — I live in another state. Do I need a local lawyer?

No. The VA is a federal agency. The vast majority of BVA hearings are virtual Zoom hearings, allowing us to represent veterans nationwide.

If I am awarded 100% Service Connected Disability, am I still allowed to work?

Yes. Excluding TDIU, there are no rules that prevent a 100% schedular-rated disabled veteran from working part or full time.

How does the VA determine my monthly compensation amount?

The VA calculates your payment based on the degree your disability would impair the average person. The VA uses the Schedule for Rating Disabilities, using multiples of 10 (10%, 20%, 30%, etc.).

⚖

N. Albert Bacharach, Jr. PA

Veterans Disability Law

Free Consultation

Veterans’ Disability • VA & Other Medical Malpractice • Social Security & SSI Disability • State Disability Retirement • Florida Commission on Ethics

4128 NW 13th St., Gainesville, Florida • Phone or Text (352) 378-9859 • Email Prospects@nabjr.com

Practice Areas – Veterans and Disability Law in Florida

N. Albert Bacharach, Jr., P.A. concentrates on federal benefits law and Florida administrative disability matters. For more than fifty years, our firm has represented veterans, disabled Americans, public employees, and public officials in high-stakes cases before the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration, federal courts, and Florida administrative agencies.

Our work is concentrated so that every case gets the full attention of an experienced team. Learn more about each practice area below.

Veterans’ Benefits

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seal

VA Disability Benefits

Full-spectrum representation for service-connected disability claims, rating increases, TDIU, PTSD, MST, TBI, Agent Orange, CUE motions, and appeals to the Board of Veterans Appeals, the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and the Federal Circuit.

Learn more about VA Disability Benefits →

Image: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (public domain)

Burning oil well — illustrative of toxic-exposure burn-pit conditions

PACT Act Claims

Help for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. The PACT Act expanded presumptive conditions and eligibility – we handle new claims, supplemental claims, and previously denied claims that can now be refiled.

Learn more about PACT Act Claims →

Image: U.S. Department of Defense (public domain)

VA Medical Malpractice

Two paths to recovery when VA medical care causes harm: Federal Tort Claims Act lawsuits for monetary damages, and 38 U.S.C. Section 1151 claims for additional VA disability compensation. We handle both.

Learn more about VA Medical Malpractice →

Image: U.S. NHTSA (public domain)

Social Security and State Disability

Social Security Disability

SSDI and SSI representation at all four stages – initial application, reconsideration, Administrative Law Judge hearing, and federal court review. Contingency fee – no fee unless we win.

Learn more about Social Security Disability →

Image: U.S. Social Security Administration (public domain)

Florida State Disability Retirement

FRS Line-of-Duty and Regular Disability retirement claims for Florida public employees, including police, firefighters, correctional officers, teachers, and other state and local employees.

Learn more about Florida State Disability Retirement →

Image: State of Florida (public domain)

Florida Administrative

Florida Commission on Ethics

Defense of Florida public officials, public employees, and candidates facing ethics complaints, investigations, probable-cause determinations, and final hearings before the Commission on Ethics.

Learn more about Florida Commission on Ethics Defense →

Image: State of Florida (public domain)

How We Handle Your Case

Every case follows a structured, four-step process: free consultation, thorough case review, aggressive advocacy through filings and hearings, and benefit delivery. Read more about How We Work.

Why Clients Choose Our Firm

Fifty-plus years of experience in veterans and disability law
Admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, all eleven regional U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals, the Federal Circuit, the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and the Florida Bar
Published federal appellate decisions in both VA and Social Security cases
Contingency-fee representation on VA, Social Security, and most disability claims – no fee unless we win
Small, experienced team; your lawyer actually handles your case

Learn More

Ready to talk about your case? We offer a free consultation.

Phone or Text: (352) 378-9859
Email: Prospects@nabjr.com
Office: 4128 NW 13th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32609
Hours: Mon-Fri, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Request a Free Consultation