How We Can Begin Helping You

Step 1: Free Initial VA Disability Consultation

After you contact us, we will send you an initial intake form to complete.  Send it back to us along with copies of the VA rating decisions that you are interested in appealing.  We will then schedule a telephone appointment to gather more basic information and provide you with an overview of the legal services we provide. Should we move forward representing you on a VA disability appeal, there is never any upfront money required nor any out-of-pocket money if we win your case. If we do not secure additional VA compensation, there is never a fee for our services. This will be detailed in a fee contract that is filed with the VA.
Step 2: Folder Access & Initial Assessment

After the free initial consultation, we may begin by requesting electronic access to your VA claims file. Once the VA grants that access, we’ll conduct an initial assessment of all key documents relating to your case. This assessment helps us to better understand your case.

Step 3: Case and File Review

Following our internal guidelines, we will review your VA claims file, which should include your active duty medical records, medical records provided to the VA, as well as any VA exams. By reviewing these documents and understanding the information you provided to us during our initial telephone appointment, we will make a determination of your potential eligibility for service connection for previously denied conditions or higher evaluations for VA disability compensation.

Step 4: Attorney Review

Your attorney will review the team’s findings and the record of any previously service-connected conditions (if you’ve previously applied for compensation) to determine if you could be entitled to additional VA compensation. Your attorney then compiles a list of the issues potentially entitling you to additional compensation, along with instructions for our case managers to gather relevant facts needed to accurately assess each condition.

Step 5: Case Manager Consultation

Once the attorney’s review is complete, we’ll arrange for a telephone consultation with one of our case managers. The case manager will discuss facts relating to your VA compensation case and collect any additional information your attorney needs to make an accurate assessment of your case.

Step 6: Final Attorney Assessment

Based on information collected during your case manager consultation, your attorney will pinpoint the issues likely entitling you to additional VA compensation and devise an optimal strategy for maximizing your VA compensation without jeopardizing any payments you are currently receiving. Should you agree with our recommendations, we’ll submit the appropriate startup paperwork to the VA to initiate your case. If your attorney determines no additional compensation is available or that pursuing additional compensation would pose a risk to compensation benefits you may already be receiving, then we’ll inform you of that and waive any fees associated with our review.

Step 7: VA Examination

After your appeal is submitted to the VA, you may be scheduled by the VA to attend a VA medical examination called a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam, for some or all of the conditions raised on the appeal. We’ll prepare you for these exams by giving instructions on what matters most for each condition and what does not based on our experience with previous clients and our most current understanding of the VA process. We’ll help you avoid common pitfalls so you can ensure that only relevant information gets communicated.

Step 8: VA Correspondence

While your claim/appeal is pending, you’ll receive various notices and requests for information from the VA. We receive copies of all this correspondence and will interact with the VA on your behalf when necessary. If anything requires your attention, your attorney will let you know.

Step 9: VA Rating Decision on Benefits

Once the VA completes its review of your case, you will receive a VA rating decision. Your attorney will review each of these decisions as the VA releases them, and if they disagree with the VA’s decision, we will continue our fight to secure maximum benefits on your behalf.We Know How To Build Cases The VA Understands

The VA has very specific requirements for the awarding of disability benefits. Even people with legitimate disabilities can be denied benefits if their case is not presented properly. With our military and VA experience, we understand how to build cases that clearly communicate your circumstances to the VA so that you can get the full benefits to which you are entitled.

Decades Of Experience

At Criss & Rousseau Law Film LLP, our firm is here to help veterans through the difficult process of navigating the VA and the process of securing benefits. Attorney Rick Rousseau is a retired colonel with 27 years of active duty experience as a judge advocate (JAG). He understands veterans issues and the challenges that they face. Obtaining the disability benefits you deserve should not be one of those challenges. Let Rick Rousseau serve and help you.

Veterans Disability Attorneys Serving Veterans from Texas and Throughout the Country

If your veterans disability claims have been denied by the VA or rated incorrectly, turn to Colonel (Retired) Rick Rousseau. To schedule a free case evaluation, call 254-699-9999, 409-356-9944 or send us a message.