St. Johns County Veterans Attorney
N. Albert Bacharach, Jr. is a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accredited attorney with fifty years of experience fighting for veterans, the disabled, and their families. We represent veterans throughout St. Johns County — including St. Augustine, St. Johns, Ponte Vedra Beach, and Nocatee — in VA disability claims and appeals, PACT Act toxic-exposure claims, VA medical malpractice cases, and Social Security disability claims — at every level, from the initial claim through the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Serving St. Johns County’s Military Community
St. Johns County’s military roots run deeper than almost anywhere in America. St. Augustine — the nation’s oldest city — is home to the St. Francis Barracks, headquarters of the Florida National Guard, and the county’s communities from St. Johns to Ponte Vedra Beach are filled with active-duty families and retirees from Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport. Thousands of veterans have chosen to make St. Johns County home.
When St. Johns County veterans are denied the benefits they earned — or receive a rating that is too low — we fight to make the VA get it right.
How We Help St. Johns County Veterans
- Claims for higher disability ratings
- Claims for earlier effective dates
- Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE) motions
- Appeals to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA)
- Appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC)
- Appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- TDIU — Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability
- PTSD and Military Sexual Trauma (MST) claims
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) claims
- Agent Orange, burn pit, and PACT Act toxic exposure claims
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses and children
- Social Security Disability (SSDI) and SSI claims
VA Medical Malpractice at Area VA Facilities
Most St. Johns County veterans receive their VA care through clinics of the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System — including the St. Augustine VA Clinic — the same system headquartered at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center here in Gainesville. Veterans injured by negligent care at a VA facility deserve accountability, and we pursue it in two ways.
If the veteran was injured within the last 2 years, we will pursue a Federal Tort Claim on behalf of the veteran, seeking a lump-sum recovery from the United States. St. Johns County cases are litigated in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, which sits in Jacksonville — and we practice in all three federal district courts in Florida.
Additionally, no matter when the injury occurred, we will pursue an 1151 claim (pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151) — a VA disability compensation claim for veterans who suffered an additional disability caused by VA medical care. Once the VA acknowledges the injury was caused by medical negligence, it rates the injury as if it were service-connected.
You Don’t Need a Lawyer That’s Right Around the Corner — You Need the Right Lawyer
VA disability claims are federal claims decided on the written record, so your attorney’s location matters far less than your attorney’s experience. Florida veterans’ claims are processed through the St. Petersburg VA Regional Office, and as a VA-accredited attorney Mr. Bacharach is authorized to represent veterans before all 56 VA Regional Offices nationwide, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, and the federal appellate courts.
Most matters can be handled entirely by phone, Zoom, text, email, or snail mail; and when a hands on meeting is needed, our Gainesville office is about 90 minutes from St. Augustine.
No Fee Unless You Win
Our evaluation of your VA disability claim is free. We work on a contingency basis for VA disability matters — no attorney’s fee unless we win. There is no risk and no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a veterans attorney located in St. Johns County?
No. VA disability claims are federal claims, and VA-accredited attorneys can represent veterans anywhere in the country. What matters is experience with the VA system and the courts that review it — not a local street address.
I served in the Florida National Guard. Can I get VA disability?
Possibly. National Guard and Reserve members may qualify for VA disability compensation for injuries or illnesses incurred or aggravated during active duty for training or, in some cases, inactive duty training. These claims can be more complicated than regular claims, and experienced representation matters.
My VA claim was denied. What are my options?
You may seek higher-level review, file a supplemental claim with new evidence, or appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals — and from there to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the Federal Circuit. Deadlines apply, so don’t wait to get advice.
What will a consultation cost me?
Nothing. Our evaluation of your VA disability claim is free, and for VA disability matters there is no attorney’s fee unless you win.
Ready to talk about your case? We offer a free consultation.
Click on the Gold “Free Consultation” box at the top of the page or
Phone or Text: (352) 378-9859 or
Email: Prospects@nabjr.com
Office: 4128 NW 13th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32609
Hours: Mon-Fri, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM