Oklahoma is proud to be home to Altus Air Force Base, Fort Sill, McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, Tinker Air Force Base, Vance Air Force Base, and the Coast Guard Institute and Container Inspection and Assistance Team. These military installations provide national security and also boost our economy.
Considering the numerous military installations in Oklahoma, it should be no surprise that our state has more than 300,000 United States Military Veterans. Unfortunately, approximately 25% of Oklahoma veterans have a service-connected disability rating. Yet there are many more who have been injured but have not yet received a VA disability rating.
Oklahoma City Social Security Benefits lawyer, Gary Wayne Jones and The Law Center For Social Security Disability are proud to assist our Veterans in applying for and receiving the disability benefits they deserve. We have been helping disabled Oklahomans for more than thirty years and we would like to help you too.
Contact us today at (405) 236-1416 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We will listen to you, answer your questions, explain your rights, and help you determine your next steps. If we represent you, we will fight tirelessly for you to receive the benefits you deserve.
Qualifying for VA Disability Benefits
To be eligible to receive Oklahoma VA disability benefits you generally must meet three criteria:
- Have a current medical diagnosis that qualifies as a disability by the VA’s definition
- Experience an injury, illness, or event during your military service
- Prove there is a nexus between your diagnosis and your military injury, illness, or event
The current medical diagnosis needs to be made by your treating physician or a VA medical facility healthcare provider. You must also be able to prove that you suffered some injury, illness, or event during your military service. For example, did you suffer an injury during combat or an illness from exposure to some toxic substance?
The last criterion is to prove the “nexus” or connection between your current diagnosis and the injury, illness, or event that happened during your military service. If you have a VA physician’s opinion or report stating that it is “at least as likely as not” that your diagnosis was caused by your military service event, then you will likely meet this burden of proof.
How a Veterans Disability Attorney in Oklahoma City Can Help
Gary Wayne Jones has over thirty years of experience helping disabled Oklahomans receive the benefits they deserve. When we take your Veterans Disability case, we will leave no stone unturned to prove your claim and get you the benefits you are entitled to receive.
We get to work immediately by:
- Taking care of all the paperwork and work required to file for your VA benefits, giving you peace of mind that your application is completed correctly and completely
- Helping you negotiate the maximum possible financial compensation once the VA accepts your request for benefits
- Taking an appeal if your application is denied
The Veteran’s benefits claims process can be frustrating and overwhelming. It can also be disheartening when you feel like the Veterans Administration office is trying to take advantage of you or is disrespecting your service and your sacrifices.
Allow an experienced, compassionate, and aggressive Oklahoma City Veterans disability attorney to help you. Gary Wayne Jones will fight for your rights to receive the full benefits you are entitled to.
Call us today at (405) 236-1416 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We will listen to you, answer your questions, explain your options, and help you take the next best steps.
Social Security Benefits For Veterans
Veterans of the United States Armed Forces have done our country — and community — a great benefit through their service. And they absolutely deserve to receive Social Security Disability benefits to assist with their financial needs.
At The Law Center for Social Security Disability, we believe strongly in supporting our veterans. They deserve the best legal advocacy possible when pursuing the benefits they deserve — and I strive to provide that exceptional legal guidance on a daily basis. My name is Gary Jones, and for 30 years I have dedicated my life to helping disabled individuals in the greater Oklahoma City get their fair share of Social Security benefits.
With Our Help, You Don’t Need To Fight For Benefits Alone
The benefits system for veterans is vast and confusing for the unwary. Let’s take a look at a few of the questions veterans often have about applying for Social Security Disability.
FAQ 1. Can I get both Veterans Disability and Social Security Disability? Yes, it is not unusual for veterans to receive VA disability benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) at the same time. Many veterans may also qualify for a VA pension and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), although the disability compensation programs are usually more generous than the pension and SSI programs.
FAQ 2. Isn’t VA disability and Social Security disability the same thing? No, they are separate programs and they are administrated very differently. One big difference is that a veteran doesn’t have to be totally disabled to get VA disability, whereas a person needs to be completely disabled to qualify for SSDI benefits — there is no partial disability rating for SSDI purposes. Another difference is the “treating physician” rule — in SSDI, the medical opinion of the veteran’s treating physician is given deference, while the treating physician’s opinion is not given deferential weight in a VA disability claim.
FAQ 3. Does getting benefits in one program help get benefits in the other? While VA disability approval can help get SSDI benefits (e.g., a high VA disability rating increases your chances of having an SSDI application approved), having SSDI benefits does not necessarily help get VA disability benefits (e.g., the VA may not give the SSDI decision much weight if it’s unclear whether the disability is service-connected). It’s important to note that qualifying for one type of benefit does not automatically qualify you for the other type of benefit.
FAQ 4. When am I eligible for SSDI? Veterans are eligible for SSDI benefits if they have worked full-time for at least five of the last 10 years. However, you may not be eligible for SSDI benefits if you wait too long to apply after you stop working.
FAQ 5. How much will SSDI benefits pay me? The Social Security Administration (SSA) determines your monthly SSDI benefit amount based on your earnings history in both civilian and military occupations. The SSDI amount is not determined based on the severity of your disability, but rather on whether your disability prevents you from working — if it does, the SSA uses a complicated formula to calculate your benefit amount.
FAQ 6. Does the SSA fast-track SSDI benefits decisions for vets? Yes, for some. Certain wounded warriors and 100 percent P&T veterans are entitled to expedited processing of their Social Security claims.
FAQ 7. Do I need a lawyer to help me get SSDI benefits? Having a qualified, experienced, Oklahoma City Veterans Disability lawyer help you with the SSDI process is always advisable. An attorney can help increase the odds that your initial application will be approved, and if you need to appeal an adverse SSA decision, your chances of winning benefits increase with an attorney.
At The Law Center for Social Security Disability, the initial consultation is free and you’re under no obligation. Call (405) 236-1416 or email me for more information on how I can help you.