Our Free Case Evaluation begins with a private conversation with one of our skilled Disability Services Coordinators. They'll conduct a comprehensive assessment using questions specially designed by our legal team to determine if your case qualifies for our assistance. If we believe we can help, we'll request specific documentation for attorney Touff L. Kalin, Esq to review. Attorney Kalin personally evaluates cases each week, ensuring every potential client receives individual attention and care throughout the process. This no-cost evaluation is your first step toward getting the disability benefits you deserve.

A Fee Waiver occurs when a legal fee or financial obligation is reduced or completely removed. At my law firm, I consider offering fee waivers when clients switch from another lawyer to ensure they can access quality legal representation without financial hardship. This is especially important if you've already paid substantial fees elsewhere. As an attorney dedicated to serving veterans, I believe that removing financial barriers helps provide better service and representation. I strictly follow the VA's regulations regarding attorney fees, and in certain cases, a fee waiver may be necessary to comply with these guidelines. Each situation is evaluated individually to maintain a fair practice. If you're considering changing representation, I encourage you to contact me, Touff L. Kalin, Esq directly to discuss your specific circumstances and potential fee options.

Yes, I provide assistance to veterans nationwide through my paperless law practice. Although Kalin Law is based in Florida, I offer convenient virtual consultations through phone, Zoom/Skype, email, fax, and traditional mail. This digital approach allows me to serve you effectively regardless of your location. When reaching out, please let me know which state you're in so I can be mindful of any time differences when scheduling our consultations. As your attorney, I'm committed to making legal assistance accessible to veterans throughout the country without geographic limitations.

The best time to hire me as your VA disability lawyer is when you're facing complex legal language, intricate calculations, or a denied claim. As an experienced attorney, I help translate complicated VA regulations into clear terms and ensure your disability claim is properly supported with compelling evidence. This strategic approach significantly increases your chances of a successful appeal. Even the VA itself encourages veterans to seek assistance from legal professionals like myself when considering appeals. If you're struggling with your claim or feeling overwhelmed by the process, don't navigate it alone—contact me, Touff L. Kalin, Esq for the professional legal support that can make the difference between denial and approval of the benefits you've earned through your service.

As a VA law attorney, I understand the complexity of this specialized legal area and the importance of providing high-quality representation to every veteran I serve. VA disability cases require careful attention to detail, extensive documentation, and a personalized approach for each client. To maintain the standard of excellence that veterans deserve, I make the deliberate choice to be selective about the cases I accept. Therefore, I cannot accept every case that comes my way, as I want to ensure that I can provide my full attention to each client I work with. When I take on your case, you can be confident that I, Touff L. Kalin, am fully committed to pursuing the best possible outcome for you. My practice is built on quality representation rather than quantity of cases, ensuring each veteran receives the dedicated legal advocacy they earned through their service.

Receiving a VA claim denial can be disappointing, but it's not the end of the road. If your claim isn't approved, you have the right to challenge this decision through the appeals system. When you receive your denial letter, you'll have 12 months to submit an appeal. The first step is filing a Notice of Disagreement to let the VA know you don't accept their decision. The VA will then provide you with a detailed explanation document called a Statement of Case. After reviewing this information, you can complete Form 9 to take your case to the Board of Veterans' Appeals, where you might speak directly with a Veterans Law Judge about your situation. For cases that remain unresolved, additional appeal options exist through higher courts. Many veterans find the appeals process overwhelming to handle alone. The paperwork requirements, legal deadlines, and hearing preparations can be complex. That's why our team at Kalin Law is ready to support you. Our experienced attorneys understand the VA system and can guide you through each step of appealing your denied claim. We're here to help you pursue the benefits you've earned through your service.

If you believe the VA has assigned you an incorrect disability rating, you have the right to challenge their decision. The first step is submitting what's called a Notice of Disagreement, or NOD. You must file this within one year from when you received your rating decision. In your NOD, clearly explain which specific parts of the decision you're contesting and why you think the VA made an error in your case. Once your NOD is filed, you have two main paths forward. You can request a review by a Decision Review Officer (DRO) – an experienced VA staff member who will take a fresh look at your entire claim. Alternatively, you can pursue a traditional appeal that goes directly to the Board of Veterans' Appeals, where a Veterans Law Judge will evaluate your case. Each option has different timelines and procedures, which can be challenging to navigate alone. It's important to note that the appeals process can be lengthy and complex, and it may be helpful to seek the assistance of a VA disability benefits specialist or attorney to help guide you. At Kalin Law, we are here to assist if needed. If you would like more information or to get in touch with our team, learn more here.

Yes, you may be entitled to what's commonly called "back pay" – payments covering the time between when your disability began and when the VA finally approved your benefits. These retroactive benefits compensate you for the waiting period while your claim was being processed. The size of your back pay depends on several key factors, including your effective date (typically when you first filed your claim) and the VA's determination of when your disability actually started. Each case is unique, with some veterans receiving substantial retroactive payments covering months or even years. It's worth noting that receiving these retroactive benefits isn't always automatic. The VA's calculation process can be complicated, and errors sometimes occur. At Kalin Law, we regularly help veterans verify they've received the correct amount of back pay they're entitled to. If you have questions about whether you've received all the retroactive benefits you deserve, we'd be happy to review your case.

Veterans often confuse two important VA programs that provide financial support: VA Disability Benefits and VA Pension Benefits. Though both help veterans financially, they serve different purposes and have different eligibility requirements. VA Disability Benefits compensate veterans for conditions connected to their military service. These benefits are available to veterans whose injury or illness was caused or worsened during active duty. The monthly payment amount depends on your disability rating (0-100%), with higher ratings resulting in larger payments. Importantly, these benefits are tax-free and available regardless of your income or financial situation. VA Pension Benefits, by contrast, are needs-based financial support for wartime veterans with limited income. To qualify, you must have served during a recognized wartime period and either be 65 or older, or permanently disabled from non-service-connected causes. Unlike disability benefits, pension eligibility depends heavily on your income and net worth falling below certain thresholds. The pension amount is calculated based on the difference between your countable income and the yearly limit set by Congress. At Kalin Law, we help veterans determine which program best fits their situation and guide them through the application process for either benefit. Understanding these differences is crucial to securing the maximum benefits you've earned through your service.

The VA recognizes a wide range of conditions that qualify for disability benefits. To be eligible, your condition must be connected to your military service - either it began during your service, was made worse by your service, or developed as a result of your service. Many veterans are surprised to learn just how many different health issues can qualify. Physical conditions like chronic back pain, breathing problems, hearing loss, limited mobility, and scar tissue are commonly approved. Internal health issues such as ulcers and cancers, particularly those linked to toxic exposure during service, also qualify for benefits. Mental health conditions represent another major category of eligible disabilities. These include traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, and conditions like chronic migraines that can severely impact your quality of life. This is far from a complete list - the VA evaluates each case individually. At Kalin Law, we've helped veterans secure benefits for countless different service-connected conditions. If you're unsure whether your specific health issue qualifies, we recommend speaking with our team for personalized guidance about your situation.