Veterans Disability Law Essentials: Navigating VA Benefits and Claims

Lisa Cunningham | Law Offices of Eric A. Shore, P.C.

Lisa Cunningham, Esq. is an experienced client advocate who focuses her practice on Social Security Disability and Veterans Disability Benefits. As a managing attorney at the Law Offices of Eric Shore, Lisa oversees a team with over 40 years of combined Disability practice experience.

Lisa helps the Law Offices of Eric Shore to stand apart from other Disability firms by representing her disability clients at the initial stages of the Disability process through the various appeals stages. Lisa serves her clients both inside and outside the courtroom. Lisa has lectured on various Disability, ethics, and professional development topics before the public and other attorneys.

Lisa earned her law degree from the University of Baltimore, where she served as a Moot Court team member and received the Dean’s Citation Award for Outstanding Achievement. Lisa also received first place in the National Law Review student writing competition. She is licensed to practice law in New York State.

I. Fundamentals of Veterans Disability Law | 1:00pm – 1:40pm

• Veterans Benefits System
  • Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits structure
  • Types of benefits available to veterans, with an emphasis on disability compensation
  • Key legal terms and definitions
• Eligibility Requirements for Veterans Disability Benefits
  • Service-connected disabilities: Criteria and essential elements
  • Eligibility for non-service-connected pension benefits
  • Dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for survivors
• Navigating the VA Claims Process
  • Initial claims filing process: Critical forms, timelines, and documentation
  • How VA rates disabilities and assigns compensation levels

II. Appeals and Common Issues in Veterans Disability Claims | 1:40pm – 2:30pm

• Understanding the VA Appeals Process
  • VA’s multi-level appeals process: Supplemental claim, and Board of Veterans’ Appeals
  • Deadlines, procedural requirements, and evidence gathering in the appeals process
  • Navigating the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act (AMA)
• Common Grounds for Claim Denials and How to Address Them
  • Common errors and reasons for denials: Missed deadlines, insufficient evidence, or administrative mistakes
  • Tips for crafting persuasive appeals, including evidence development and witness testimony

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

• Navigating Effective Dates and Rating Decisions
  • Understanding how VA assigns effective dates and what this means for clients
  • Rating schedules, how ratings impact compensation, and tips for obtaining accurate ratings

III. Advanced Advocacy and Special Considerations in Veterans Disability Law | 2:30pm – 3:10pm

• Advanced Advocacy Techniques for Veterans Claims
  • Maximizing success in appeals through effective argumentation and evidence submission
  • Working with medical experts and leveraging independent medical opinions
  • Representing veterans with complex cases, such as mental health claims and PTSD
• Additional Resources and Next Steps for Veterans’ Legal Support
  • Resources available to veterans, including VSOs and pro bono opportunities
  • Building a veterans-focused practice: Developing relationships with VSOs, outreach strategies, and professional development