We are honored to share a recent victory that reflects exactly why we do this work. Disability Law Group Partner Mandy Kelly secured $550,000 in retroactive benefits for a Michigan veteran after taking his case to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA). After decades of delay and frustration, this veteran finally received the justice he deserved.
The Veteran’s Story
This veteran served from 1985 to 1986, during which time he survived a traumatic personal assault during training. The attack left him with both physical injuries and lasting psychological trauma.
In 1993 — nearly 30 years ago — he filed his first claim with the VA for “pain and stress” related to his service injury. At the time, he was already struggling with depression and taking antidepressants. Instead of fully developing the claim, the VA overlooked that he was clearly describing symptoms of PTSD and left his case unresolved.
Years passed. The veteran kept fighting, filing additional claims. Eventually, the VA granted service connection for PTSD, but they assigned the wrong effective date. This mistake cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars in benefits he had rightfully earned.
The Fight for Justice
The central issue came down to one question: when should his PTSD benefits have started? The VA argued for a much later date. Mandy Kelly argued that his original 1993 claim for “stress” was, in fact, a claim for PTSD.
Building the Case
Through tireless advocacy, Mandy Kelly built a compelling case by:
- Presenting the veteran’s separation exam, which documented stress and nervousness as early as 1986.
- Highlighting medical evidence from the early 1990s showing treatment for depression with antidepressants.
- Arguing that the VA had a legal duty to sympathetically read the veteran’s claim under precedential case law, recognizing “stress” as a claim for psychiatric disability, even if not explicitly labeled as PTSD.
Her point was simple but powerful: when a veteran reports “stress” after a traumatic service experience, supported by medical evidence, the VA must recognize it as a psychiatric claim.
The Victory
The BVA agreed. They moved the effective date back to April 5, 1993 — exactly what had been sought. The outcome: $550,000 in retroactive benefits that this veteran should have received years ago.
This decision is not just about the financial relief, though that is life-changing. It is also about the VA finally acknowledging this veteran’s trauma and taking responsibility for their past mistakes.
Why This Matters
Every case we take on is personal. We are not just handling claims — we are standing beside people who served our country and were shortchanged by the system meant to protect them. This veteran waited 30 years for justice, but he never gave up. Neither did we.
Need Help with Your Case?
If the VA has denied your claim or assigned the wrong effective date, you do not have to face this alone. The attorneys at Disability Law Group know how to hold the VA accountable, and we are not afraid to take cases all the way to the BVA when necessary.
Contact Disability Law Group today at 1.800.838.1100 or click here to schedule your free consultation. Let our experienced attorneys be your voice and fight for the justice you deserve.
