Attorneys in Dauphin County are volunteering their time to help disabled veterans who are being denied claims for medical assistance.
Jim Landis is a disabled Vietnam War vet. He says, “On September 17, 1967, I tramped on a landmine and got shot in the back.” He spent 16 months in a VA Hospital recovering. And he’s relied upon disability benefits since then. He says they’re “basically my life. I depend on it for my livelihood.”
For those veterans with denied claims, local lawyers are now donating their time and expertise.
Executive Director of the Dauphin County Bar Association, Lix Simcox says, “We see a need for veterans in the community to be able to access legal services in order to move these claims forward.”
The Dauphin County Bar Association will have around 22 lawyers assigned to help veterans through the county.
Simcox says, “If a vet has gone through the process with the American Legion and has filled out an application, sent it in and been denied, we then have the opportunity to step in and assist with the denied claim and assist the veteran moving it forward.”
And it’s an effort vets like Jim stand by. He says, “The more people you have working for vets, the better off they’re going to be.”
Lawyers say they’re hoping to correct any errors Veterans face when it comes to denied claims. This may happen when paperwork is submitted incorrectly. Other times, vets do not have all the necessary information that documents a specific injury. Attorneys will begin taking cases on January 1st.