Review Board Helps Vets Get Upgraded Disability Ratings
Dec 10, 2011
Northville, MI (Law Firm Newswire) December 9, 2011 – The Military Health System is on a mission to educate veterans about the Physical Disability Board of Review that is helping many get upgraded disability ratings through an appeals process.
The PDBR is a process by which veterans with disability ratings of 20 percent or less can have their disability reviewed by a panel looking for reasons to upgrade the rating, according to the Department of Defense.
“Too many veterans had their disability incorrectly rated over the past ten years,” said veterans disability lawyer James Fausone of Legal Help for Veterans PLLC. “This review process is doing good work in helping to right these wrongs.”
The review is available for veterans discharged between September of 2001 and December of 2009.
As many as 77,000 veterans are eligible to have their disability ratings reviewed by the PDBR. The Department of Defense is reviewing the cases because the U.S. Congress found many ratings were being artificially held at or below 20 percent where benefits were less robust, according to a report on the U.S. Army website.
“Many veterans are having their disability ratings upgraded upon review,” Fausone said. “If you meet the service requirements, you owe it to yourself to send your information in to be re-examined.”
Veterans with disability ratings of 30 percent or higher get enhanced benefits from the government including disability pay retroactive to the date of the injury, eligibility in TRICARE and the Survivor’s Benefit Plan insurance.
The PDBR is still backlogged despite beginning its fourth year of reviews starting in January. It takes more than a year for a review to take place.
Veterans looking to make sure they meet the criteria and that their application is in good order can call a qualified veterans disability attorney for help.
Legal Help for Veterans has a trained staff with experience in Physical Disability Board of Reviews.
James G. Fausone is a Veterans disability lawyer and Veterans attorney with Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC. To learn more or to contact a Veterans disability attorney or Veterans lawyer call 1.800.693.4800 or visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com.
Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC
41700 West Six Mile Road, Suite 101
Northville, MI 48168
Toll Free Phone: 800.693.4800
