Fayetteville Veterans Disability Attorneys

Fighting for Veterans Across North Carolina

Fayetteville is home to one of the largest military and veteran communities in the country. With Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), Pope Army Airfield, and countless retired service members, this region is filled with men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving the United States. Cumberland County alone has more than 50,000 veterans, making it one of the most veteran-dense areas in North Carolina.

But while Fayetteville has a proud military tradition, veterans here face the same struggles as elsewhere when it comes to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Denied claims, low ratings, and years-long appeals are all too common.

Our firm focuses exclusively on veterans disability law. We help Fayetteville veterans file claims, appeal denials, and secure the compensation they’ve earned through service.

Understanding VA Disability Benefits

VA disability benefits provide tax-free monthly compensation for veterans with service-connected conditions. The benefits are meant to recognize sacrifice and provide financial stability — but actually receiving them is often a challenge.

In Fayetteville, the most common disability claims include:

PTSD and mental health conditions from combat deployments and training stressors

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) from airborne operations, explosions, and vehicle accidents

Hearing loss and tinnitus caused by weapons fire, aircraft, and heavy machinery

Orthopedic injuries such as chronic back, knee, and shoulder damage — especially common among airborne and special operations forces

Respiratory issues and cancers linked to burn pits and other toxic exposures

Gulf War Illness and other chronic unexplained conditions

Military Sexual Trauma (MST) leading to PTSD, depression, and anxiety

Secondary conditions, such as sleep apnea tied to PTSD or orthopedic problems

TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability) claims for veterans unable to work

Even when conditions are well-documented, the VA often denies or underrates claims.

The VA Disability Claim Process

Veterans in Fayetteville often file claims through the Fayetteville VA Regional Office or the VA Coastal Health Care System. The process follows several steps:

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Initial Claim

Submit your application with service records and medical evidence.

Supplemental Claim icon

Supplemental Claim

 File new evidence if denied.

Higher-Level Review icon

Higher-Level Review

A senior reviewer examines your case.

Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) icon

Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA)

Present your case to a Veterans Law Judge.

Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) icon

Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC)

In some cases, escalate to federal court.

Strict timelines apply at each stage, and one mistake can delay benefits for years.

Challenges Fayetteville Veterans Face

Service members from Fort Liberty and beyond often deal with:

High denial rates for PTSD, TBI, and toxic exposure claims

Undervalued ratings that don’t match the severity of conditions

Lengthy appeals that can take years

Difficulty obtaining service records from past deployments

Financial struggles while waiting for benefits

The physical demands of airborne, special operations, and combat training at Fort Liberty create lifelong health issues. Yet the VA system often fails to properly account for these realities.

Example: A Fayetteville Veteran’s Claim

Consider a paratrooper who served multiple deployments and developed chronic knee pain and PTSD. His initial claim was denied due to “insufficient medical evidence.”

On appeal, he provided:

Orthopedic exams from the Fayetteville VA Medical Center

Deployment records and combat badges

Mental health evaluations confirming PTSD

With this additional documentation, his claim was approved, and his ratings provided financial stability for him and his family.

This type of scenario is common among Fayetteville veterans.

How We Help Fayetteville Veterans

We fight to secure the benefits that veterans earned by:

Preparing strong claims with the right evidence from the start

Appealing denials at every level, from supplemental claims to BVA hearings

Pursuing higher ratings when the VA undervalues serious disabilities

Handling TDIU claims for veterans unable to maintain employment

Working with medical experts when VA exams fall short

You don’t pay us anything unless we win.

Our Values: Why Veterans Choose Us

We don’t fill attorney bio pages with headshots. Instead, we highlight the values that drive our work:

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Compassion

Every veteran’s story matters to us.

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Dedication

We don’t stop after the first denial.

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Experience

We only handle veterans disability law.

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Results

Our mission is to secure the benefits you deserve.

What Makes Fayetteville Unique for Veterans

Fayetteville stands apart as a military community:

Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg): One of the largest military installations in the world, home to the 82nd Airborne Division, Special Forces, and XVIII Airborne Corps

Pope Army Airfield: Supporting airborne and air mobility operations

Fayetteville VA Coastal Health Care System: Serving veterans across southeastern North Carolina

A large retiree population: Many veterans remain in Fayetteville after service for access to resources

While these resources are invaluable, they also create heavy demand, backlogs, and delays for veterans seeking benefits.

Special Focus: Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

MST survivors often struggle to obtain recognition from the VA. Many claims are denied due to lack of records, even when conditions like PTSD are clear. We help Fayetteville veterans file MST-related claims with strong evidence, medical opinions, and persistence.

Special Focus: Gulf War Illness

Many Fayetteville-area veterans deployed to the Persian Gulf and continue to face chronic fatigue, joint pain, and memory issues. While some conditions are presumptively service-connected, the VA still denies many of these claims. We fight to ensure Gulf War veterans receive the benefits they deserve.

Common Scenarios for Fayetteville Veterans

Denied PTSD claim

A soldier is denied due to “lack of verified stressor.” On appeal, deployment records and buddy statements result in approval.

Low knee injury rating

A paratrooper receives 10% despite severe pain. With orthopedic exams and lay testimony, the rating is increased.

Toxic exposure claim

A veteran exposed to burn pits is denied. On appeal, new medical opinions secure benefits.

TDIU claim

A veteran with multiple conditions cannot work. The VA eventually grants unemployability benefits.

MST denial

A survivor is denied for lack of documentation. With careful evidence gathering, the claim is approved.

Frequently Asked Questions

The backlog is significant. Initial claims may take months; appeals can last a year or longer.

Yes. Retroactive pay goes back to your original claim date.

Not directly. Being near VA facilities doesn’t guarantee faster results.

You can appeal. Many Fort Liberty veterans receive ratings that undervalue serious conditions.

Yes. Lay statements from spouses, children, or friends are powerful evidence.

No. Disability compensation is tax-free.

Yes. They increase annually with federal cost-of-living adjustments.

Yes. They are separate programs and don’t offset each other.

Sometimes. Programs like CRDP and CRSC allow many veterans to receive both.

Yes. We represent veterans in toxic exposure cases.

It can hurt your case, but in some situations claims can be reopened.

The VA uses a combined ratings table — not simple math.

Yes. Disability compensation doesn’t interfere with GI Bill or VA loan eligibility.

Yes, through higher-level review. Supplemental claims require new evidence.

No. We help veterans across North Carolina and nationwide.

Call Today for a Free Consultation

You’ve already sacrificed for your country. You shouldn’t have to fight the VA alone. If you’re a veteran in Fayetteville struggling with a denied claim, low rating, or delayed appeal, we are here to help.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and fight to secure the benefits you’ve earned.

Call now or complete our online form to take the first step toward justice.

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