Individual Representation

Disability benefits, which are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the branches of our military, are a critical step toward restoring the lives of men and women who have honorably served our country in the U.S. armed services, but were injured as a result of their service. Yet, for many reasons, each year thousands of veterans have their claims for disability benefits wrongly denied or evaluated incorrectly.

When disability claims are denied by the VA, veterans have the right to appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). As with any legal proceeding, obtaining trained and competent legal representation is ideal. Unfortunately, more than half of the veterans who file appeals to the CAVC do not have lawyers to represent them. In most cases, this is because the veterans cannot afford an attorney. For many others, navigating the system proves too big of a challenge. As a result, many disabled veterans are left behind, wondering where to turn for help.

Since the CAVC was created in 1988, NVLSP has represented thousands of veterans before the Court - all at no charge to the veteran.

Each year, staff attorneys from the National Veterans Legal Services Program review thousands of veterans claims that were denied by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) – the highest authority within the VA. When NVLSP determines that a BVA denial is worthy of appeal to the CAVC, NVLSP offers to represent the veteran or their family at no cost.

Of the cases we appeal each year, over 90% result in either a reversal of the previously denied claim or the case is sent back for the VA to correct one or more legal errors.  This is an extremely high win rate at a federal appeals court level. Each and every victory is profound and life-changing for men and women who have sacrificed so much.

Since our founding in 1981, NVLSP has helped veterans and servicemembers from all U.S. conflicts obtain over $5.4 billion in disability benefits.