Many veterans who sought our services had previously tried to navigate the claims process on their own or with assistance from a VSO or state agency, which often left them feeling frustrated. They found that achieving success demanded extensive knowledge about their claims and complete evidence upfront, yet they struggled to find support for their questions when they needed help. This was the reason we established VA Benefit Advisors: to bridge this gap. Our dedicated team simplifies this complex process, ensuring you can file your claim accurately and with confidence.

VA Benefit Advisors is not a law firm. Although our dedicated team is here to help compile medical evidence and guide you through the disability claims process, please note that our staff members are not licensed attorneys.

To ensure we deliver the highest quality service to our clients, we strongly encourage you to schedule an appointment in advance. However, please know that our team is always ready to assist with any quick inquiries you may have during our regular office hours. Don’t hesitate to give us a call!

Our services generally involve a small upfront fee. However, we may accept some cases at no charge; your case manager will assess if your case qualifies during the intake process. If your case does not qualify and the VA makes a favorable decision, an additional one-time fee will apply as outlined in the client services agreement. Veterans will not face extra fees if their VA disability compensation benefits do not increase.

The small upfront fee is necessary for us to begin working on your claim. All additional fees must be paid in full upon receiving the VA’s notification of a favorable decision. However, since financial flexibility is important, we provide customizable payment plans for those who request them.

The typical wait time is between 5 to 10 months after submitting the claim. Veterans should be aware that fluctuations in the VA’s caseload and the type of claim can sometimes extend this timeframe. While we understand this can be frustrating, we appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these challenges together.

The VA provides information about its current turnaround time here: https://www.va.gov/disability/after-you-file-claim/

Submitting an Intent to File with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) serves as a formal notification of your intention to pursue a disability claim. This document is of great importance, as it remains valid for one year from the date it is filed. When the VA receives your Intent to File, the effective date for any subsequent claims you submit will be set as the date of this filing, rather than the date you actually submit your claim paperwork.

To illustrate how this process works, consider the following example: a veteran submits their Intent to File on January 1. Subsequently, it may take them around six months to collect all the necessary documentation to complete their claim. After submission, the VA might take an additional six months to review and process the claim. If a decision is reached by the VA on January 1 of the following year, the veteran will be entitled to receive back pay covering the entire year, consolidating that amount into a single payment.

It’s important to highlight that the amount of back pay a veteran receives, or the absence of it, does not impact our fees or the timeline for when those fees are due. This ensures that the service we provide remains fair and consistent regardless of the outcomes related to back pay.

The VA calculates ratings using a descending efficiency scale, assigning each injury or illness a numerical rating. The process begins with your first rating, which is subtracted from 100 to determine the new efficiency.

The formula used is: efficiency x rating.
Here’s an example:
If you are service-connected at 30% for one issue and 20% for a second issue, the calculation would be as follows:

1. Start with your first rating:    100 * 30 = 30

2. Next, calculate the efficiency for the second rating:     100 – 30 = 70

3. Now, apply this efficiency to the second rating:     70 * 20 = 14

4. Finally, add the two results together:     30 + 14 = 44%.

Since the VA rounds disability ratings to the nearest 10%, your final rating will be rounded down to 40% for your monthly compensation payment.

If you have two or more disabilities that affect both sides of your body, this may increase your VA disability rating and compensation payment. The VA will specify this on your disability compensation award letter, which will contain your official rating.

Our services are available to all states, with the exception of Maine, New Jersey and New York.

It is important for our team to thoroughly examine your active-duty medical records to identify any Veterans’ disabilities that may be underrated or should be recognized as service-connected. The more thorough the documentation provided, the higher the chances of the Veteran receiving an accurate and favorable outcome from the VA.

We do not offer legal representation or advice. Our services are limited to assisting with initial claims and requests for reconsideration. If you need to appear before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, please contact a Veterans Service Organization (VSO), a state veterans agency, or an attorney for assistance.

While we are not an accredited agency, our team comprises former VA employees who possess valuable insights into the claims process. We are dedicated to guiding veterans in navigating the VA process effectively and ensuring they receive the support to which they are entitled.