The Center for Veterans
Rights and Appeals

Where Veterans Come First
 
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The Center for Veterans Rights and Appeals is focused on the rights of the men and women who have served our country before the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the Board of Veterans Appeals, and regional offices on a nation wide basis.  Too many times these valiant people come home from service only to find that the Department of Veterans Affairs denies them the benefits that they deserve.  The Center for Veterans Rights and Appeals is here to help them obtain the benefits that they have earned with their service.

Disability Benefit Appeals

You have filed your claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs.  It denied your claim.  Now what?  The VA will send you a form outlining your rights.  It lists several options for you to pursue.  The most important step is to file your Notice of Disagreement.  Once you file your notice of disagreement, lawyers with the Center for Veterans Rights and Appeals, Theodore (Ted) Sumner and Loren Thompson, are ready to assist you in completing your appeal.  Fill out this form and we will contact you immediately to discuss your issue. 
 

While in Service

The Veterans Administration relies heavily on the service member's medical records.  It is important to have your medical conditions documented while in service.  The VA presumes that medical conditions documented in your medical file are service connected.  

Filing Your Veterans Administration Claim

There is no time limit for filing a claim for benefits.  You can file a claim online or by contacting your local VA Regional Office.  It is important to fully develop your claim when you file. Mention every injury and symptom that you had in service.  You should also attempt to obtain any documentation regarding the condition including medical records and statements from friends and relatives. 

It will speed the Veterans Affairs decision making if you provide all of the pertinent information.  List all of the medical conditions that first arose while you were in the service. Common injuries include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), knee injuries,back injuries, combat wounds, sexual assault, hearing loss, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). 

What to do when your claim is denied

The VA may deny some or all of your claim.  If that happens, you may either accept the result or you may send the VA a letter disagreeing with their decision.  Contact us and we will assist you with filing this notice for no charge.

Board of Veterans Appeals

Ted Sumner and Loren Thompson are admitted to practice before the Board of Veterans Appeals.  Contact us and we will evaluate whether we can assist you before the Board.  

U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

Both Ted Sumner and Loren Thompson are admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the next appellate step above the Board of Veterans Appeals.  Contact us for a free evaluation as to whether we can help you with your appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

This federal statute provides wide protection to service members.  Those protections include suspension of civil court and administrative cases, limitations on interest rates chargeable to servicemembers, landlord tenant rights, and many others.  Check back for future articles on the rights provided by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. 

Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act

There are extensive reemployment rights afforded to veterans, reservists, and National Guard members returning from deployment.  Attorneys Ted Sumner and Loren Thompson are available to discuss any reemployment issues with you.  The Reserve Officer's Association Servicemember's Law Center,which works with the Center for Veterans Rights and Appeals on education issues, has extensive information regarding rights and issues under thisstatute.

 
 
The Center for Veteran Rights and Appeals is an assumed business name of Sumner Law, PC. Lawyers at the Center are admitted to represent clients in the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Oregon state and federal court, Washington state court, the Western District of Washington, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  The information provided on this web site is offered for informational purposes only.  It is not offered as legal advice and does not constitute legal advice. Sumner Law does not seek to represent you based upon your visit to or review of this web site.  This web site may be considered advertising under the rules of Oregon and Washington.  You should not make legal hiring decisions based upon brochures, advertising, or other promotional materials.
 
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