Michigan VA Disability Attorneys
Do you need help applying for VA disability benefits? Have you had a disability claim denied? You may need a Michigan VA disability attorney and we can help answer all of your veterans benefits questions here at VABenefits Attorneys.
Contact us today for a FREE case review!
FAQs About Michigan VA Disability Benefits
We know you may have questions about your veterans benefits and we want you to know – you are not alone. Veterans in need of legal help can find the answers to their questions at VABenefits Attorneys and we are here to help walk you through the application and appeal processes with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Questions that we hear a lot at VABenefits Attorneys include – how do I apply for VA disability? Do I qualify for VA disability? What injuries and medical conditions make me eligible for disability? What is a disability rating? Why did my disability claim get denied? What should I do if my disability claim is denied?
We can answer all of these questions and many more about your VA disability benefits at VABenefits Attorneys. Give us a call or send us an email and we can provide a FREE case review.
Are You Eligible for VA Disability Benefits?
Veterans may have many questions about their benefits and the first question that many veterans ask when they contact VABenefits Attorneys is – am I eligible for VA disability benefits? Veterans who qualify for disability compensation via the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs must meet a few criteria to be eligible.
Veterans must meet two basic criteria to be eligible for compensation – they must have an injury, illness or medical condition that impacts the mind or body AND they must have served on active duty, active duty for training or inactive duty for training. Eligible veterans must also meet ONE of the additional criteria listed here:
- Veterans must have become injured or ill while serving on active duty in the military and can link their medical condition to their time in service – this is defined as an in-service disability claim.
- Veterans must have had an injury or illness prior to serving on active duty in the military and the injury or illness was made more severe due to their time in service – this is defined as a pre-service disability claim.
- Veterans must have a current injury or illness that was not present while serving on active duty in the military and appeared after their time in service and can be linked to that service – this is defined as a post-service disability claim.
What Are Additional Veterans Benefits?
Your time in the military has not gone unnoticed and the benefits you have earned extend beyond disability benefits and monthly compensation. Veterans who wish to expand their education can use the Montgomery G.I. Bill to help pay tuition costs. Local VA hospitals and facilities provide access to medical services and VA home loans can help you purchase your dream home on Lake Michigan. Additional benefits that you may be able to claim include preferred employment, tax exemptions, vocational training, burial services and more.
Which Injuries, Illnesses and Medical Conditions Qualify for VA Disability?
Veterans understand the toll that military service can take on the mind and body – and not all injuries, illnesses or medical conditions are visible. The list of injuries, illnesses and conditions that qualify veterans for disability compensation continues to grow with the passage of the PACT Act and additional veteran legislation and many veterans do not know what qualifies. We can help answer your questions here at VABenefits Attorneys.
Here is a quick look at a few injuries, illnesses and medical conditions that will make veterans eligible for disability pay via the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Chronic Back, Neck and Knee Pain
- Cancer(s) Due to Toxic Exposures
- Lung Disease(s) Due to Toxic Exposures
- Mental Disorders – Depression and Anxiety
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder – PTSD
- Traumatic Brain Injury – TBI
- Severe Scar Tissue and Ulcers
- Severe Hearing Loss
- MORE…
How Do I Apply for VA Disability Benefits?
Do you qualify for VA disability benefits and monthly compensation? If you feel that you meet all of the criteria listed above and have the medical documents needed, you can apply for disability. Veterans can apply for disability online at www.va.gov/disability. Veterans who prefer a hands-on approach can download and print the online form and take the completed application to the local VA Regional Office in Detroit.
How Do I Appeal a Denied VA Disability Claim?
You may have issues with the process or paperwork and you may ask – how do I appeal a denied VA disability claim? You may not know how to approach this situation and that is where we come in at VABenefits Attorneys. Veterans who choose to appeal a denied disability claim have four primary methods at their disposal – file a Supplemental Claim, file a Notice of Disagreement, request a Higher Level Review or present your case to a Veterans Law Judge – and we can help every step of the way.
VABenefits Attorneys is here to help you appeal your denied disability claim and you can contact us for a FREE case review!
What Are the Michigan State Veterans Benefits?
The United States Government does an admirable job of taking care of its military veterans – but the benefits do not end there for veterans who live in the Wolverine State. The State of Michigan cares about the veterans who call that proud state home and provides an impressive list of benefits that are exclusive to local veterans. Available benefits include tax exemptions, license exemptions, state employment benefits, state veterans homes, veteran care facilities, educational benefits, real estate benefits and much more.
Here is a quick overview of veterans benefits that are available to veterans who call Michigan home. Contact your state or local veteran representative for more information on state veterans benefits.
- Veterans Homes – Chesterfield Township, Grand Rapids and Marquette
- Veteran Income Tax Exemption
- Disabled Veteran Property Tax Waiver
- Disabled Veteran FREE Vehicle Registration
- Veteran Financial Assistance for Emergency Care
- Michigan State Employment Veterans Preference
- Michigan Children of Veterans Tuition Grant
- Hunting and Fishing License Exemptions
- Veterans Burial Expenses
Do you have questions about your VA disability benefits? Do you need a Michigan VA disability attorney? Contact VABenefits Attorneys today for more information and a FREE case review!
Michigan Veterans Programs: State & Local Benefits
Michigan offers a variety of state-level benefits designed to complement federal VA programs. Understanding what’s available can help veterans, surviving spouses, and dependents make the most of their earned benefits.
Key Michigan state benefits include:
Michigan Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans
Veterans who are 100 percent service-connected disabled—or rated 100 percent via Individual Unemployability—may qualify for a full property tax exemption on their primary residence. Unremarried surviving spouses of qualifying disabled veterans can also continue to claim the exemption after the veteran’s passing.
Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF)
This fund provides grants to Michigan veterans facing short-term financial emergencies such as rent, utilities, vehicle repair, or medical expenses. Eligibility typically requires at least 180 days of wartime service and an honorable discharge.
Veterans Preference in Employment
Michigan law grants qualified veterans preferential status when applying for state civil service jobs. Spouses of veterans may also receive expedited or temporary professional licenses when transferring credentials from another state.
Education and Tuition Benefits
Veterans and their dependents may qualify for in-state tuition at Michigan public universities and colleges. The Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program (MINGSTAP) can help Guard members cover costs for training and degree programs.
Dependents of veterans who were killed in action or totally disabled may qualify for the Children of Veterans Tuition Grant, which provides tuition assistance at Michigan institutions.
Recreation and Park Access
Veterans with a 100 percent permanent and total disability rating may receive free access to Michigan state parks and recreation areas without purchasing a Recreation Passport.
Michigan Veterans Homes and Long-Term Care
Michigan operates several veterans homes that provide high-quality long-term, rehabilitative, and memory care for eligible veterans and their spouses.
These facilities include:
Veterans may use federal VA benefits, such as Aid and Attendance, to help cover the cost of care in these state-run facilities.
Michigan County Veteran Service Offices
Every county in Michigan maintains a Veteran Service Office that provides hands-on help with both state and federal benefits. County Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) are trained to guide veterans through the application process, gather records, and appeal denied claims.
Typical services offered by Michigan VSOs include:
Filing VA disability and pension claims
Applying for Michigan Veterans Trust Fund grants and property tax exemptions
Assisting with education and employment resources
Coordinating transportation to VA medical appointments
Helping spouses and dependents with survivor benefits
Veterans can also contact the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) through the Veteran Resource Service Center at 1-800-MICH-VET for guidance and referrals to their local office.
Common VA Disability Claims for Michigan Veterans
Michigan veterans file claims for a wide range of service-connected conditions. Some of the most common include:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions
Hearing loss and tinnitus, especially from training environments and machinery exposure
Back, knee, and shoulder injuries related to physical labor and repetitive strain during service
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) resulting from training accidents or deployment injuries
Agent Orange and other toxic exposure conditions among Vietnam-era and post-9/11 veterans
Each claim requires strong evidence showing that the condition is connected to military service. Veterans often strengthen their cases with medical opinions, service records, and personal statements from fellow service members or family.
Appealing Denied VA Claims in Michigan
When a claim is denied or rated too low, Michigan veterans have multiple paths to challenge the decision:
Higher-Level Review
A senior VA reviewer re-examines your claim based on the same evidence to identify possible errors.
Supplemental Claim
Allows veterans to submit new and relevant evidence, such as medical evaluations or updated service records.
Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA)
Veterans may request a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge, either in person or virtually.
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC)
If necessary, veterans can pursue an appeal at the federal level, focusing on whether VA laws were applied correctly.
Having an experienced VA benefits attorney who understands Michigan’s regional procedures can make the appeals process more efficient and increase the chance of a favorable outcome.
Tax and Financial Benefits for Michigan Veterans
Michigan offers several valuable financial benefits to veterans and their families:
Property Tax Exemption
Qualifying veterans who are 100 percent disabled or rated unemployable may be exempt from paying property taxes on their primary residence.
Income Tax Exemption
VA disability compensation is fully exempt from Michigan state income tax.
Business and Employment Incentives
Veterans can access special certifications and incentives for starting or expanding veteran-owned businesses. Employers may also qualify for credits when hiring veterans.
These benefits help ease the financial burden for veterans who have given so much through their service.
Education and Career Resources for Michigan Veterans
Michigan provides multiple education and retraining programs for veterans and their dependents.
Children of Veterans Tuition Grant
Offers up to four years of undergraduate tuition assistance for dependents of veterans who were killed or permanently disabled in service.
Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program (MINGSTAP)
Helps Guard members pay for degrees, certificates, and professional training.
In-State Tuition
Veterans, service members, and dependents are eligible for in-state tuition rates at Michigan public universities and colleges regardless of prior residency.
Veteran Employment & Apprenticeships
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity offers job placement assistance, apprenticeship programs, and veteran hiring initiatives.
These opportunities can help veterans and their families pursue meaningful new careers after military service.
Housing and Homelessness Resources for Michigan Veterans
Michigan veterans facing housing insecurity can turn to several programs designed to prevent homelessness and promote stability:
HUD-VASH Vouchers
Provides rental assistance and case management for veterans without stable housing.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
Offers financial help and case management for veterans at risk of losing their homes.
Michigan Veterans Trust Fund Emergency Grants
Can be used for rent, utilities, or other immediate needs in crisis situations.
Community Outreach Programs
Local agencies throughout Michigan offer transitional housing, job assistance, and counseling for veterans and their families.
No veteran should have to face homelessness alone, and Michigan’s coordinated network of state and nonprofit agencies is designed to help.
Michigan Veteran Success Story
Case Study – Grand Rapids, Michigan
A Michigan Army veteran was originally rated at 30 percent disability for PTSD despite significant daily impairment. With help from a veterans law attorney, he obtained an updated medical opinion and submitted a Supplemental Claim. After review, the VA increased his PTSD rating to 70 percent and added an additional rating for chronic back pain. The combined award more than doubled his monthly benefit and provided access to Individual Unemployability.
This case highlights the importance of strong medical evidence, legal representation, and persistence in the appeal process.
The above case studies are representative examples based on typical VA claim outcomes and are provided for illustrative purposes only. Past results do not guarantee future results.
Frequently Asked Questions – Michigan Veterans
Next Steps for Michigan Veterans
If you’re a veteran living in Michigan, here’s where to start:
Gather your service records, medical documentation, and VA decision letters.
Contact your County Veteran Service Office for free claim and benefit assistance.
Review your eligibility for Michigan programs like the Veterans Trust Fund or property tax exemption.
If your VA disability claim was denied or underrated, connect with a VA-accredited attorney who understands Michigan veterans’ law and appeal procedures.
With the right support and strategy, Michigan veterans can access the full range of benefits they deserve.
