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- Chaplain Liteky’s Legacy, the VA Appeals Process Explained, and the Importance of Persistence
Chaplain Liteky’s Legacy, the VA Appeals Process Explained, and the Importance of Persistence
From battlefield bravery to lifelong conviction, plus expert guidance on filing stronger VA appeals and details on how tenacity during the appeals process helps you get results.

The V.E.T.S. Advantage
Edition: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
An educational email by Hill & Ponton.
Thanks for reading & enjoy!
What do V.E.T.S. want to know?
Inside, you can find…
🎖️ VALOR - Real stories about real veterans fighting for VA disability benefits.
⚖️ EXPERTS - VA insider knowledge from members of our staff.
🗺️ TACTICS - Tips and tricks to navigate your VA disability claim effectively.
🦅SUPPORT - Additional resources to help you stay on the right path towards the benefits you deserve.
This week’s edition of V.E.T.S. Advantage brings you the story of Chaplain Charles James “Angelo” Liteky. Under heavy fire near Biên Hòa in 1967, he carried more than twenty wounded soldiers to safety and later received the Medal of Honor. After the war, he left the priesthood, married Judy Balch, and devoted his life to peace activism, even returning his medal in 1986. It is a legacy defined by courage in combat and conviction afterward.
We also zero in on the VA appeals process so you can make informed choices if your claim was denied or underrated. You will see why appeals matter, the three paths available, and how early, complete evidence can help you avoid delays.
Finally, Hill & Ponton attorneys Ursula Mecabe and Stacey Clark stress the importance of persistence in appeals, explain how higher ratings and earlier effective dates drive bigger back pay, and highlight why strong evidence is key to securing maximum compensation.
As you move through this edition, you’ll find an inspiring hero’s journey and clear, actionable advice to help protect the benefits you’ve earned. Let's dig in.
🎖️ VALOR

From Battlefield Valor to a Voice for Peace: The Legacy of Charles Liteky
Charles James Liteky was born on Feb. 14, 1931, in Washington, D.C. He was a Roman Catholic priest known in religious life as Angelo Liteky. Guided by faith and a sense of duty, he entered the US Army from Fort Hamilton, NY, to serve as a chaplain in the Vietnam War. His work placed him alongside front-line infantry, where he ministered to the wounded and the dying.
In 1967, he served as a captain and chaplain with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 199th Light Infantry Brigade. On December 6, near Phuoc Lac in Biên Hòa Province, he accompanied Company A, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment on a search-and-destroy mission when a larger enemy force opened intense fire. As soldiers fell in an open field, Chaplain Liteky moved toward the gunfire to reach them.
He saw two wounded men about 15 meters from an enemy machine gun. He positioned himself between them and the fire, then dragged them to a landing zone when the fire eased.
Although wounded in the neck and foot, he kept returning to the open to rescue more men and to administer last rites. When the landing zone drew small-arms and rocket fire, he stood in the open and guided medical evacuation helicopters. By the time Company A was relieved the next morning, he had carried more than 20 soldiers to evacuation and continued encouraging the perimeter.
He received the Medal of Honor from then-President Lyndon B. Johnson for this heroism on Nov.19, 1968.
After the war, he left the priesthood in 1975. In 1983, he married Judy Balch, a former nun, and turned to peace activism, including protests of the School of the Americas. On July 29, 1986, he renounced his Medal of Honor by leaving it in an envelope addressed to President Ronald Reagan at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
The medal is displayed at the National Museum of American History. He later joined the Veterans Fast for Life and opposed US military interventions, including the Iraq War. Charles Liteky passed away on Jan. 20, 2017, at age 85, and will continue to be remembered for his battlefield courage and a lifelong commitment to conscience and peace.
Honor veterans like Charles Liteky and watch more stories on our YouTube channel.

Take the First Step Toward Your VA Benefits—For FREE!
Navigating the VA disability claims process can be tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our expert-written guide, The Road to VA Compensation Benefits, breaks it down with clear steps and actionable advice to help you succeed.
Request your FREE copy today (a $17.99 value) and we’ll mail it straight to your door.
⚖️ EXPERTS
A Comprehensive Guide to Filing a VA Appeal
A VA disability appeal gives veterans the chance to challenge denials or ratings that don’t reflect the true impact of their service-connected conditions. The process can seem straightforward, but can feel complex without clear guidance.
Why Appeals Matter
VA disability benefits directly affect monthly compensation and access to support programs. If a claim is denied or underrated, filing an appeal ensures veterans have a pathway to correct errors, submit new evidence, and preserve their effective date for benefits.
Common Reasons for Appeal
Incorrect rating: Condition severity is greater than the rating assigned.
Denial of benefits: VA incorrectly determined the condition was not service-connected.
Overlooked conditions: VA failed to include any secondary or residual conditions..
A current condition and supporting evidence are essential. Appeals must also be filed within strict timelines, usually within one year of VA’s decision.
Appeal Options Under the Modernized System
Higher-Level Review: A senior VA reviewer re-examines the existing file.
Supplemental Claim: Submit new and relevant evidence not previously included.
Board Appeal: Request review by a Veterans Law Judge—choose direct review, submit new evidence, or request a hearing.
How to File an Appeal
Use the correct VA forms (20-0995 for Supplemental, 20-0996 for Higher-Level Review, or Notice of Disagreement for Board appeals).
Clearly outline the disagreement and attach all relevant evidence (medical records, physician statements, lay evidence).
Track progress using VA’s online tools until a decision is reached.
Appeals in Perspective
The VA appeals process is a safeguard for veterans whose claims were denied or underrated. By selecting the right path, submitting thorough evidence, and meeting deadlines, veterans can increase their chances of securing the benefits they’ve earned.
If you’re facing challenges with your claim and need assistance, reach out for a free case evaluation.
Think your VA disability rating doesn’t fully reflect your condition? Don’t go it alone. Our dedicated team exclusively helps veterans with VA disability cases and is ready to advocate for your rightful benefits.
Call us at (855) 494-1298 to speak with our team now, or send a request for a free case evaluation today and we’ll reach out within 30 minutes during business hours to get started.
🦅SUPPORT

Attention: Join us every Tuesday at 1400 hours EST for a new Livestream with our legal team!
Join us to get your questions about VA disability law and the claims process answered by our legal team. Comments open 1 hour prior to the Livestream starting, so get there early to get your question in. We try to answer as many as we can!
Were You Exposed to Asbestos During Military Service?
Many U.S. veterans were exposed to asbestos during their time in service, often without knowing the risks. Years later, this exposure has led to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related lung cancers for countless veterans.
If you served in the military and have been diagnosed, you may qualify for compensation. Our firm proudly helps veterans and their families pursue the benefits and justice they deserve.
Act now. Contact us today at (855) 494-1298 to learn more about your options or to begin your claim. You’ve served your country; let us serve you.
🗺️ TACTICS

Stop Leaving Your VA Backpay on the Table
In this video, Hill & Ponton attorneys Ursula Mecabe and Stacey Clark break down how veterans can secure back pay through VA disability compensation.
They explain that back pay begins from the effective date, the day a veteran files a claim, and accrues until the claim is resolved. Attorney Mecabe notes that quick approvals usually mean smaller back pay but faster monthly checks. At the same time, attorney Clark points out that more complex claims, which take longer, often lead to larger retroactive payments once granted.
Both emphasize that appeals play a central role. Veterans can appeal for higher disability ratings or earlier effective dates, each of which can unlock additional back pay. Attorney Mecabe highlights that even small rating increases translate to substantially higher monthly compensation, while attorney Clark stresses that proving service connection is the foundation. Without it, no back pay is possible.
They also clarify that back pay is not always a single lump sum. Instead, veterans often see incremental gains as claims move through multiple appeals, with each step, such as service connection, effective date adjustments, and rating increases, potentially yielding its own payout.
The attorneys close by underscoring how critical persistence is in the VA claims process. Veterans who continue appealing and providing strong evidence are far more likely to maximize back pay and long-term compensation benefits. Support from advocates and legal experts can make a significant difference in navigating this often lengthy process.
“Even just the difference between 90% and 100% almost doubles that payment. So, really getting as high as you can as far back as you can [for your rating] is the best way to make the most in your back pay,”, attorney Mecabe concludes.
Need Help with an Appeal? Hill & Ponton is Here for You
At Hill & Ponton, we specialize in helping veterans navigate the VA appeals process to secure the benefits they rightfully deserve. Whether you're facing a denied claim, an appeal for a higher rating, or need assistance gathering critical evidence, our team is ready to advocate for you.
Use our VA Disability Calculator to see if your current rating aligns with your level of disability and explore potential increases based on any secondary conditions you may have. Calculate Your VA Disability Rating Now!

Feeling overwhelmed by the VA?
We invite you to take our new FREE course, Master the VA Disability Claims Process, that offers advice, tips and tricks from our team.
This course covers every single step of the VA disability claim process and answers the questions veterans ask most. Best of all—it’s FREE!
Please note, you will need to make a free account for the course but it will allow you to take additional courses we are planning to offer, too!
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