5 Ways Lawyers Can Help Veterans

Veterans are commonly looked at as heroes by the majority of people across the United States. Many people have a lot of problems with military action taken by our country. Many people have strong objections to specific soldiers, who find themselves gaining media attention for acts unbecoming of an officer. Still, most people will agree that veterans as a whole as heroes, willing to lay their life on the line to protect others.

Despite this reverence that people seem to have for veterans, when they arrive back home they are often neglected by the government, while society looks the other way. A 2018 study showed that there are nearly 40,000 homeless veterans in the United States on a given night. While statistics are not yet available, one can only assume that that number has risen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Veterans are often used up by the military and then discarded. There are many benefits available to veterans upon returning to civilian life. However, the backlog of cases is often so long, and the issues veterans face are so strenuous that they often fall into dire circumstances before they get the chance to take advantage of these benefits.

Disability Benefits

One of the biggest ways in which lawyers can help veterans returning from active duty is through assistance with disability benefits. During active duty, many soldiers face life-altering conditions. These situations often leave them with some form of disability or other.

Some veterans are put in dangerous situations that leave them injured. Other veterans are exposed to chemicals that can leave them ill. Still, others face situations that leave them psychologically scarred.

When these veterans return home, they often find that their disability makes it difficult for them to find a job. They apply for disability benefits, but it can take months or even years for them to receive approval for their claim. Even upon approval, unless they receive a 100 percent rating, the monthly sum they will receive is not nearly enough if they have a family to support.

One of the biggest ways in which lawyers can help disabled vets is through assistance with disability claims. Having a qualified veterans disability lawyer working on your claim can help to ensure that it is processed quickly and approved the first time, rather than requiring appeals. They can also help make sure that you get the maximum disability rating available under your conditions so that you get appropriate compensation.

Divorce

Many veterans come back with psychological issues that leave them changed from the person they were before they left. These changes can make relationships strained and often lead to divorce. A lawyer can help a veteran through divorce proceedings and advise them on what steps they may need to take, such as counseling, if they are in a custody battle.

Eviction

Whether through disability, difficulty finding employment, or another financial difficulty, many veterans face eviction after rejoining civilian society. A lawyer can help a veteran keep their home during a difficult financial stretch until they get back on their feet.

Discrimination

A large portion of military personnel is made up of minorities. While veterans will often receive priority in many situations of civilian life, unfortunately, the prejudices of people can often outweigh their kindness. This can lead to many veterans facing discrimination in housing and employment. Aside from racial discrimination, there is also a large problem with discrimination based on disability. A lawyer can help protect veterans against discrimination.

General Services

While the military offers many programs to service members, both foreign and active, it typically doesn’t guide members through the process. Transitioning from military life to civilian life can be very difficult. This transition is made especially difficult by the fact that many service members sign up straight out of high school.

That means that while these people may be fully-fledged adults by the time they get out of the service, many have never done simple things like paying rent. With so many veterans facing so many things with which they have no experience, legal aid can be a huge help.

A lawyer familiar with veteran needs can advise you on the programs that are available to you as a veteran and help you find the services you need. In South Carolina and Georgia, you can talk to the lawyers of George Sink, P.A. for help in getting your civilian life heading in the right direction after returning from service.