After the VA denied my original disability claim, I decided to appeal the case using a legal firm to represent me.
The first firm I contacted email back that they weren’t interested and recommended that I work with a local facilitator (like the American Legion).
The second firm wanted the case, but when I couldn’t get in touch with the attorney who was to handle the case to ask a few questions, I crossed them off my list.
The third firm was Hill & Ponton. They contacted me to schedule a phone call with senior partner Sara Hill. Within several days, she and I had an hour long phone conversation. It was clear that she had already read the original filing and the denial paperwork.
Her observation that their firm sees many cases like mine (deserving, but denied without the reviewer closely inspecting the information submitted about the claim). She reviewed with me, in general, how she would proceed with the case, which made perfect sense.
We agreed to the terms of a contingency retainer, which provided that Hill & Ponton would get compensated only if they won an appeal on my behalf.
During the coming months, the firm did an excellent job of keeping me posted on what was happening, and sent me copies of everything for my file. And I could always reach Sara or one of her aides if I had questions.
Sara’s strategy was to initially submit an appeal using the Review by a Higher Authority option. After about four months after filing it, she received a notice that the VA was approving my appeal at the 100% level, retroactive to my initial claim filing date. To say the least, I was ecstatic. Within a week, my first month’s payment was direct deposited in my bank account, and the VA had mailed me a paper check for the retroactive lump sum payment.
I wholeheartedly recommend Hill & Ponton and Sara Hill to any veteran needing help getting the best outcome to a disability filing with the VA.
